Interview with Trinidadian artist Peter Sheppard

Project by Peter sheppard

Peter Sheppard is a Trinidadian artist who was born into a creative family as both his parents painted and were involved in the Carnival Arts. His father Stephen Sheppard, painted landscapes in acrylics from scenes that inspired him after long drives in and around the countryside. His mother Margaret Sheppard (Highgate), also painted. She made costumes for the theatre, carnival, weddings and personal wardrobes. They exposed him to a wide range of visual and performing arts. He studied at the International Fine Arts College in Miami, Florida. He says that his “canvas is all things Trinidad & Tobago and I live my life enjoying all that our wonderful nation has to offer. Its rich and diverse Culture, its delicious food representing our many ethnic segments of our population. Our many festivals, quaint villages, peaceful rivers, majestic mountains and people full of a life-time of stories will forever provide inspiration for my paintings. I paint from my memories and experiences and enjoy sharing this with the public through my paintings.” He was gracious enough to take time from his busy schedule for an interview with Architecture Caribbean.

Read entire interview here >>>

Caribbean Pavilions for Shanghai Expo 2010

Bahamas Pavillion

Click here for more on the pavilions representing the Caribbean Communities at the Shanghai Expo 2010.

Grenada Pavilion

What do you think of the Pavilions representing the Caribbean communities? Click here to see all.

Destruction of the historic Caribbean vernacular, a cause for concern

There is strong concern by architects, and historians about the possible loss of their vernacular in Trinidad & Tobago, and Barbados, just to name a few. Significant buildings of the rich Caribbean vernacular which showcase the important architectural, climatic, social, and cultural resources of the islands (and other countries) seem vulnerable to destruction. As proven by this letter from the Barbados National Trust, there continues to be the demolition of the physical fabric and identity of the recent past, with little consideration of its value to the community, design history, architectural heritage and its role in the future.

The following is a letter from the Barbados National Trust which was published by the Barbados Advocate.

You can read the article here >>>

What are you thoughts on this?

“How to” on submitting projects to Architecture Caribbean

Firstly, thanks to all our members and readers for your commitment to design and to Architecture Caribbean.  A few of our readers have had problems submitting their projects to our site for publishing. We apologize for your troubles and have placed the submission process steps to aid you in submitting your great works. Continue sending in your works in Architecture, Visual Arts, and Design; we look forward to them!

Submit work process

1. Become a Member  http://www.architecturecaribbean.com/register.php
2. Sign in  http://www.architecturecaribbean.com/login.php
3. Please Click home page http://www.architecturecaribbean.com/index.php
4. Submit work http://www.architecturecaribbean.com/submit-work.php?section=art
5. Select Appropriate  Section
6. Click submit button.

Let us know if you need any further clarification.

Thanks from Architecture Caribbean

National Academy for the Performing Arts, Port of Spain, Trinidad

National Academy for the Performing Arts, Trinidad

National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.

Read previous Blogs on the Performing Arts Center:
architecturecaribbean.com/blog/?p=85
architecturecaribbean.com/blog/?p=249

http://www.architecturecaribbean.com/blog/?p=324

To contribute your Flickr images:
Join and add photos to the architecture caribbean pool, and/or
Tag your photos architecture caribbean

Caribbean Architecture

Brief video presentation of architecture in the Caribbean.

To contribute your Flickr images:
Join and add photos to the architecture caribbean pool, and/or
Tag your photos architecture caribbean

Port of Spain International Waterfront – Trinidad & Tobago

Port of Spain Waterfront

The Port of Spain Waterfront originally uploaded by Liam Boodoo

Stay tuned for my analysis of the Port of Spain Waterfront project. In the meanwhile, feel free to read our article on Waterfront Development here>>.

See more images of the Port of Spain Waterfront in our Flickr Album

To contribute your Flickr images:
Join and add photos to the architecture caribbean pool, and/or
Tag your photos architecture caribbean

National Academy for Performing Arts Center – Video

National Academy for the Performing Arts

Brief video of the National Academy for the Performing Arts Center in Port of Spain, Trinidad (Caribbean).

Read previous Blogs on the Performing Arts Center:
architecturecaribbean.com/blog/?p=85
architecturecaribbean.com/blog/?p=249

Interview with Caribbean Architect – Outram Hussey

Outram Hussey (left)

Outram Hussey, AIA, Assoc. JIA, is a Jamaican born Architect who has been in the field for 36 years. In addition to having his own firm, he is a professor at his Alma Mater Howard University. His passion for the Arts and Sciences and other creative endeavors inspired him to study Architecture. In Part 1 of his interview with Architecture Caribbean, Outram gives his insight into the profession both as an Architect and an Educator. Here is a portion of the entire interview.

Architecture Caribbean: Who is Outram Hussey?
Outram Hussey: A lucky guy having an understanding wife and blessed with four wonderful children.

AC: Where did you study?
OH: University of Technology (Jamaica) & Howard University (Washington, DC).

AC: Have any other professions or types of work interested you?
OH: Teaching Architecture, Real Estate Development and Construction.

AC: Who are your favorite architects (International and Caribbean) and what do you admire about their work?
OH: Le Corbusier, Gropius (the Bauhaus years) and Wright because their passions compelled them to be different and to experiment. Mc Morris Sibley Robinson in the early years when every project was of a different stamp. Structure was integral and beautifully expressed. Also Wilson Chong, a man that truly understood the nature, power, strength and grace of concrete and the poetics of structural concrete.

AC: What skills are needed to be an architect?
OH: Integrity first and all else after. Good communications skills, good diplomatic skills, good leadership skills, but all rests ultimately on knowledge of your craft. The ability to create form and space, to understand what materials want to do and be, to understand the tectonic nature of things etc. Survival also rests upon financial and legal abilities.

AC: Why do you continue to teach?
OH: At first, I believed that it was because I was contributing to the profession and to the lives of young people. Our profession is very demanding and is intolerant of lesser abilities. It can also be tough. When I realized that these young men and women had to enter in and be successful, my focus changed. My mission is to prepare them, to do whatever it takes to ensure that they are fully equipped to stand their ground in the profession, and to be a success.

AC: What are the most rewarding aspects of being a teacher?
OH: It’s in seeing a student enter into a successful practice. Inviting me to their weddings, keeping me up to date on their projects, talking about fees, administrative and contract issues. Seeing pictures of their children and knowing that you were and still are a part of it.

AC: What is a possible positive response that Caribbean Architects can offer to the current economic downturn?
OH: Use the time to retool for a sustainable future. High energy costs create opportunities for design. Limited water resources create opportunities for design. Livable sustainable environments create opportunities for design. If architects through their designs can reduce energy/material imports significantly, the corresponding benefit to the country would be equally significant. Architects have the power to make significant contributions to the local economy, probably more than any other professional group.

AC: How do you think the role of the architect will change over the next twenty-five years?
OH: Architects must be more assertive, inventive and creative to reap the benefits of the future. It will be all digital, communications of ideas and integrations of systems and information will take center stage. Ideas is the currency that architects trade, it always was, is and will be tomorrow. To be successful, buildings will not only have to be aesthetically pleasing, but they will also be required to perform to very exacting environmental specifications. In other words, the designer of a plane knows that the design must conform to aerodynamic laws. Those laws dictate the shape. It will become increasingly the same for architects in the future, as buildings are shaped to capitalize on environmental forces and systems.

AC: What advice would you give to students entering the field of architecture?
OH: Seek to be financially independent. I do not subscribe to the service mentality and philosophy. Architecture is not only about design; it’s about construction and the creation of communities. You are the only person in all of academia and the learned professions that is master of the built environment. None other has the breadth of education. Many seek to encroach on the turf, but architects own it. I encourage students to assume their rightful position.

AC: What advice would you give to those currently in college studying architecture?
OH: Architecture is demanding. It is the only school in universities that go 24/7. Not Medicine, not Law, not Engineering. Learn you craft well and assume your leadership role in society.

AC: What do you think about Architecture Caribbean and its goal to highlight Architecture and the Arts in the Caribbean and other parts of the world?
OH: For the peoples of the Caribbean, let them see the value of architecture and how it can contribute to their lives, communities and to the success of their region. To those outside the Caribbean, the same, but let them see that Caribbean Architects can bring a particular rhythm and tempo to their lives through form, color, spaces and its relationship to nature and natural breezes. This is an asset. Sell it. And to you the Editor…bold move…much needed…and Good Luck!

Read entire interview>>

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this interview when Outram Hussey discusses his design philosophy, his firm and sustainable design with Architecture Caribbean.

Queens Royal College – Port of Spain, Trinidad

Queens Royal College

Queens Royal College originally uploaded by Liam Boodoo

Queens Royal College – Port of Spain, Trinidad. German Renaissance in style. Designed by Daniel M. Hahn. The foundation stone for the building was laid on 11 November 1902. In addition to being one of the historic pieces of architecture in the Caribbean, it has educated some of the best.

These include:

• Eric E. Williams – First Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean historian
• George Maxwell Richards – President of Trinidad and Tobago.
• Sir Vidia Naipaul – Nobel-prize winning author.
• C.L.R. James – historian, journalist, socialist theorist and essayist
• Peter Minshall – Artist, Costume designer, Emmy Award Winner.
• Richard Thompson – Athlete and 2008 Olympic medalist
• Marc Burns – Athlete and 2008 Olympic medalist

Queens Royal College

It stands strong as a testament to good architecture and good education. What is your architectural critique of Queens Royal College?

To contribute your Flickr images:
Join and add photos to the architecture caribbean pool, and/or
Tag your photos architecture caribbean