REAL LIFE Summer 2010

greetings I

s it just me, or has Mother Nature been trying to tell us something? While volcanoes, quakes and hurricanes may have stolen the limelight of late, there has emerged – for those who are prepared to listen – a still, small voice of calm, reminding us of the awe-inspiring omnipotence of the natural world. It seems fitting, in the light of this, to be launching our inaugural green issue of REAL LIFE. With frivolity out and mindfulness in, the worlds of luxury Caribbean design and environmental responsibility unite in true style to embrace the challenges of sustainability while paying tribute to the supreme beauty of Nature.

In a salute to authenticity, join us as we bring you the places and faces seeking to make a difference. This edition takes us to St John and Puerto Rico where two eco-abodes open their doors to reveal visionary design inspired by Nature’s muse.

Our featured wood and bamboo products, manufactured by companies who believe in paying it forward, show us how adopting sustainable strategies enables them to give more than just lip service to the mantra, ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’; while the earth-friendly products featured in our Must-Haves, give consumers power to incorporate green into their everyday lives.

Compiling this edition has meant having one’s life put into sharp focus: reflecting on the big picture – the incontrovertible connection of past, present and future. With the birth of my son, the newest member of the REAL LIFE family, in May, came a pressing reminder that as custodians of the earth, we all hold the future in the palm of our hands.

enjoy!

Vol 5, issue #3 Summer 2010

PUBLISHER

mc2 Ltd Melanie Roddam melanie@mc2.com.ky

EDITORIAL

Editor Kyle Fulton kyle@reallife.ky

Writer Juliet Austin juliet@reallife.ky

SALES & MARKETING

Sales Director Claire Harris claire@reallife.ky

Senior Sales Executives Kimberley Bentley kimberley@reallife.ky

Aubrey Wells aubrey@reallife.ky

ART

Senior Designer Mike Johnston mike@mc2.com.ky

Designer Jaime Doak jaime@mc2.com.ky

CONTRIBUTORS

Tony Brooks Graham Morse Sharon Patterson Steve Mouzon WEBSITE www.reallifecaribbean.com

DISTRIBUTION CONTACT

Kyle Fulton kyle@reallife.ky

The views expressed within this publication do not reflect those of mc2 Ltd, REALlife magazine or their employees. mc2 Ltd. and REALlife magazine accept no responsibility for the views contained herein.

Published quarterly. Š 2010 mc2 Ltd.

t. 345.946.1220 f. 345.946.1221 www.mc2.com.ky ADVERTISE WITH US For details of our extremely cost effective rates, or if you are interested in contributing editorial, please contact our sales team.

Email: ads@reallife.ky Tel: 1 345.943.REAL Skype: reallifecaribbean

contributors’ bios TONY BROOKS,

BIA, RIBA

CEO and principal architect of his eponymously named practice in Barbados, Tony Brooks’ extensive portfolio of commercial and residential projects spans an impressive twenty-year history of doing business in the Caribbean. Highly attuned to global and regional environmental issues, he sees his profession as being on the front lines of the move towards energyconscious living.

Join us on page 40 as we reveal the man behind the monuments.

GRAHAM MORSE Sailing across the Pacific Ocean in 2007, Graham Morse and his wife took time to reflect on the wonders of nature and so began scheming for a future of selfsufficiency and environmental responsibility. Now retired, they live in the Cayman Islands and are building an ecofriendly house capable of generating its own electricity and water.

SHARON PATTERSON Ecological designer, Certified Healthy Homes Specialist, green building consultant and educator, Sharon Patterson is the owner of Idaho-based Eco Edge and creator of the OM your home™ design philosophy. She focuses on creating healthy indoor spaces that balance efficiency, beauty and comfort without impacting the environment.

Turn to page 64 to discover how to ‘OM’ your home.

STEVE MOUZON Author and architect, Steve Mouzon is a wellrespected maker of places. Opening his own architectural firm, Mouzon Design, in 1991, he is committed to the design principles of traditional vernacular homes and neighbourhoods and their link to culture, climate and region. Instrumental in creating new living traditions that support common-sense notions of sustainability, he has participated in the New Urban Guild’s SmartDwellings Project, as well as developing his own ‘Catalog of the Most-Loved Places’.

Graham writes about ‘The Economy of Green’ on page 61.

Enjoy ‘the virtues of traditional Caribbean architecture and its innate sustainability’ on page 47 – the first of three installments by Steve.

contents 22 Opposites Attract in Puerto Rico Exploring the architectural principle of prospect-and-refuge, one eco-modern design results in a dynamic union of opposites.

14 Industry News

30

38

A Site to Behold in USVI

Seeing the Wood for the Trees

De-sign of the times – a green dream, nestled into the coastline of the tiny emerald isle of St John, USVI.

Must-Haves

28

Daily Green

41 Pre Loved

52 Green With Envy

The wild beauty, infinite versatility and timeless appeal of veneers.

42

47

56

Much Ado About Bamboo

A Tale of Endurance

Sir Roland Richardson

Classified as grass rather than wood, bamboo shoots into the stratosphere as design sage.

A retrospective look at the innate sustainability of traditional Caribbean architecture.

Hailed ‘the father of Caribbean Impressionism’, St Martin’s native son answers the calling of colour.

64 AHome Healthy

61 Real Report – The Economy of Green Is it time to power your home with renewable energy?

Some simple steps to ensuring a healthy home and a healthy planet.

65 53 Seeds of Change Breathtakingly beautiful living roofs and walls.

Real Estate Section

69 ‘Tis the Season to be Prepared – Hurricane Checklist

40 Architect Profile Tony Brooks – His intent on building a lasting legacy of environmentally-sensitive designs.

71

Directory and Useful Numbers

14 | INDUSTRY NEWS

Secret Harbour at Dragon Bay to Break Ground Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Due to break ground in ceremonial style this summer, Michael Ryan of Orion Developers, owner and developer of Grand Cayman’s award-winning RitzCarlton and Dragon Bay, celebrates the inaugural phase of Secret Harbour.

Inspired by the great harbour towns across the globe, the following phases are intended to come, “organically over time.” Already 50% sold out, Secret Harbour carries on the Dragon Bay vision to see the Cayman Islands as a premiere destination. “This is our home,” states Ryan, “and we are excited to see Secret Harbour as the next step in Cayman’s development.”

For more information call (345) 815 7777 or email sales@dragonbayrealty.com

Regal Realty Turns Five Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Regal Realty, an independent real estate brokerage based in the Cayman Islands, recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. Having increased sales figures annually, including during the first quarter of 2010, it is arguably the largest non-franchised real estate company on island.

Involved with local service clubs, charities and sporting organisations, it has firmly established roots in the community as well as in the market place, guaranteeing them many more anniversaries to come!

For more information please visit www.regalrealty.ky

Island Company Opening Fifth Location

Honouring One of Cayman’s Pioneers

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Island Company, the lifestyle and resort clothing brand has its fifth Island Company outpost opening at Camana Bay, Grand Cayman.

With other outposts in Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Palm Beach, Island Company has made its mark as a popular apparel choice of the Caribbean jet-set with a comfortable linen collection for men and women and its own swimwear line. Far from offering ordinary retail fare, stores feature sea grass carpets, Buddha statues, Indonesian furniture and Caribbean artefacts in trademark tropical island fusion style.

For more information visit www.islandcompany.com

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Commemorating the generous spirit of their late chairman, William “Bill” Bissell, OBM International donated a tree to the Cayman Islands Recreation, Parks & Cemeteries Unit in remembrance of the man who played lead architect or senior partner in most of the projects completed by OBMI in the Cayman Islands.

The event, which took place on June 1st at the Jerald Smith Park, North Side, saw the donation of a Silver Bismarck Palm, in honour of Mr. Bissell’s unwavering efforts to give back to the community and as a sign of OBMI’s growing commitment to ‘green’ initiatives.

For more information visit www.obmi.com

Environmental awareness is “just the way they think” Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Design (Cayman) has carved a niche for itself in the Cayman Islands as the leader in sustainable architecture. The innovative design team is led by Managing Director and young Caymanian Cindy O’Hara, an accredited Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Professional and former Managing Director of OBM International; and Brian Macdonald, the Managing Principal, a British qualified (RIBA) and registered (ARB) Chartered Architect and former Managing Director of OBM International in Turks and Caicos. Both are committed to designing buildings, spaces and places, which are as striking and innovative as they are socially, economically and environmentally responsible.

Currently, Design (Cayman) are engaged in designing three sustainable residences and with commitment, these designs will integrate sustainable principals from the earliest concepts. Running on schedule is Cayman’s first truly ‘green’ Government office building, the GOAP project of which the interior arrangements are underway and the external finishes are nearing completion. Design (Cayman) is also proud to have been the interior architects for five projects within Camana Bay; TrinCay Medical Centre a state-of-the-art medical facility; Anytime Fitness Gym; Mail Boxes Etc; Cabana, the first international Lilly Pulitzer Signature Shop; and Island Company, a clothing store for the Caribbean lifestyle. Their goal is to incorporate LEED principles in to the design of each and every project – environmental awareness is ‘just the way they think’.

To find out more about Design (Cayman) and sustainable architecture call (345) 949 2800 or visit www.design-cayman.ky

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INDUSTRY NEWS | 15

Exclusive Turtle Breeze Villa Vacation Home Now Available for Seasonal Rentals Turks & Caicos, Providenciales The award winning Providenciales resort property, Turtle Breeze Villa, designed by local architect Ron Shaw, is fast becoming one of the areas most recognisable and sought after resort properties; making it a favourite amongst people looking for a very different type of vacation experience.

The home features a collection of four separate pod residences that each accommodates a family of four and also a separate one-bedroom, one-bath guest house with its own private kitchen and wrap around balcony. Turtle Breeze now offers accommodations for up to 20 people on a seasonal rental programme.

For more information call (1 866) 331 4269 or visit www.turtlebreeze.com

Just Imagine with FoodArt Nassau, The Bahamas FoodArt by Cacique has taken the Bahamian archipelago by storm with its unique culinary style and customised menus. Senior Chef de Cuisine, Kyle Sawyer, and his team dominate the kitchen, designing plated artwork and creating lasting memories for a range of functions.

During a recent charity event benefiting a Bahamian non-profit organisation committed to eliminating hunger and food waste, FoodArt’s display stole the show with a twelve-foot structure of suspended glass.

From inception to reality, FoodArt provides tantalising flavours paired with innovative décor to complete any experience, allowing guests to enjoy a world of imaginative sights and gastronomic delights.

For more information contact the President & CEO, Shawn M. Sawyer at smsawyer@caciqueintl.com or The Cacique International Ltd. Group of Companies at (242) 377 7700

New Empire Interiors Feature Simone St Rose Furniture Collections Grenada Committed to the design of environmentally sustainable interiors, Simone St Rose’s furniture and lamp collections, available from her recently established company, New Empire Interiors, showcase a fusion of styles in a traditional West Indian vernacular with fresh, modern lines.

Using low-emitting materials and sustainable tropical hardwoods, the Trinidadian-born designer’s intuitive integration of indoor space with outdoor environments encourages the use of natural light and energyefficient systems.

Working her magic out of her sunlit design studio in Grenada, St Rose specialises in hospitality interiors, luxury residential homes and commercial developments with a design portfolio that boasts some of the Caribbean’s leading hotels including Discovery at Marigot Bay, St Lucia and the Coyaba Beach Resort, Grenada.

For more information visit www.simonestrose.com or email simone@simonestrose.com

Affordable Housing or Caribbean Resort?

St Thomas, US Virgin Islands Cacciamani and Rover Architects broke the mould on designing affordable housing by planning a community to rival most luxury Caribbean resorts. Rich in eclectic detail, Raphune Vistas perfectly blends classic Caribbean architecture and modern living with elegant designs driven by environmental sensitivity and regional climatic conditions.

Equipped with advance sewage treatment plants and blackwater recycling, the pedestrian-oriented community boasts three parks and a host of recreation spaces to suit all ages.

Currently under construction, the 173 multi-storey hillside homes offer uninterrupted views for families seeking stylish, eco-conscious living paired with the highest standards of construction.

For more information visit www.raphunevistas.com or call Ronald Rover at (787) 724-4144

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16 | INDUSTRY NEWS

B.E Groupe Presents Royal Caicos Beach Club and Spa North Caicos, Turks & Caicos Islands With a sincere regard for client satisfaction and the local community, international and Caribbean developers, B.E. Groupe, bring their refreshing business philosophy to the newest development in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

With an emphasis on building lasting, quality client relations, B.E. Groupe proudly offers Royal Caicos properties as affordable turnkey living and exceptional investment opportunities with convenient financing and strong return potential. Attractively priced and elegantly furnished, one or two-bedroom residences at Royal Caicos Beach Club and Spa surround a lush tropical courtyard with infinity pool, resort-style amenities, concierge service, and seven miles of private beach access.

For more information visit www.royalcaicos.com

BCQS Quarterly Update

Trinidad and Tobago Accelerates Drive for International Environmental Certification Trinidad and Tobago Committed to elevating Trinidad and Tobago’s standing as an island destination with a responsible approach to sustainable tourism development, the Tourism Development Company Limited (TDC) has undertaken an accelerated drive for international environmental certification.

To date, the TDC has worked with seven Trinidad properties in implementing an Integrated Management System for Green Globe 21 to support wastewater management, waste minimisation, poverty reduction and social equity.

Another major initiative undertaken by the TDC to raise environmental awareness and increase good environmental practices among visitors and locals is the Blue Flag Accreditation Programme. Six beaches are on their way to being certified Blue Flag sites by 2011.

For more information visit www.tdc.co.tt

Sotheby’s International Realty Expands Network Presence in the Caribbean Tortola, British Virgin Islands With plans already afoot for further growth in 2010, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC reinforced the strength of its presence in the Caribbean, announcing its expansion into the British Virgin Islands under the leadership of Managing Director, Maritha Keil.

“With more than nineteen years’ experience, we have strong partnerships and client relationships at home and abroad, a professional infrastructure and sales agents with strong local knowledge,” said Keil.

British Virgin Islands Sotheby’s International Realty listings will be marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure, brokers and clients benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house and worldwide Sotheby’s International Realty marketing programmes.

For more information call (284) 494 5700 or email info@bvisothebysrealty.com

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Caribbean Region The BVI office is pleased to announce the appointment of James Hunt as Associate Director. James previously worked in the Grand Cayman and Turks and Caicos offices of BCQS International, and specialises in bespoke procurement strategies and strategic financial management.

In the Cayman Islands, BCQS have been appointed project and cost managers for the Compass Centre commercial development and the refurbishment of the Pinnacle Condominiums on Seven Mile Beach.

In Turks and Caicos, construction of the One on Marlin affordable home development, for which BCQS are the appointed Construction Managers, has commenced with a formal ground breaking carried out

by H.E. the Governor, further emphasising the TCI Government’s commitment to the provision of better quality low income housing.

For more information contact a BCQS International representative at info@bcqs.com or visit www.bcqs.com

The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club and Marquis Jet Forge New Partnership Caribbean Region An exciting partnership between Marquis Jet and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club ensures that Members and Jet Card owners get to travel to their favourite club locations via the best in the world of private jets. “Members will be able to fly on their own schedule and remain in control when traveling to and from their favourite properties” according to Mark Sage, Executive Vice President of Business Development for Marquis Jet. The alliance allows Members to enjoy personal comfort and quality in flight and is a convenience that promises to change the way Club Members travel.

For more information visit www.ritzcarltondestinationclub.com or call (1-800) 278 0121

INDUSTRY NEWS | 17

La Prairie’s Advanced Biology Marine Collection harnesses the raw power of the oceans to repair and replenish skin.

WIN THE COLLECTION!

Global More than just one of the world’s leading luxury skincare brands, La Prairie is a lifestyle. Utilising their more than 25 years expertise in pioneering cellular anti-aging therapies to create effective collections aimed at prolonging ones youthful appearance, the lust-worthy brand is pleased to announce their Advanced Marine Biology Collection Contest. The Collection capitalises on the protective power of marine plants via land-based aquaculture to deliver protection from free radicals, the damaging effects of stress and the sun's ravaging rays, all while being environmentally friendly.

To learn more about La Prairie visit www.laprairie.com.

To enter their Advanced Marine Collection Contest visit www.reallife.ky/LaPrairieContest

A New Decade | The New DCOTA Dania Beach, Florida With a world-class redesign (including a fresh new design campus courtesy of Los Angeles-based AREA Architects), out of the box programming, and cuttingedge resources, DCOTA – one of the largest design powerhouses in the world – is reclaiming the throne as the international destination for high design and fine home décor.

Launching the three-year project this summer, CEO/President of Cohen Brothers Realty Corp, Charles S. Cohen looks to inject new life into the three existing buildings through a fully integrated transformation including dramatic landscaping, water features, lighting, environmental graphics and an impressive three-storey sculpture by world-renowned Parisian artist, Morgane Tschiember.

For more information visit www.dcota.com

Neo-Metro’s Greenovation Global Drawing on the experience of parent company, Acorn Engineering renowned producers of stainless steel plumbing fixtures - Neo-Metro’s contemporary sculpted bath furnishings are crafted from 80% recycled stainless steel. Offering durable functionality and timeless appeal, they are skillfully engineered to optimise water conservation and energy efficiency.

Supporting commercial sustainability via their ‘whole building’ approach, Neo-Metro products earn LEED points and provide significant reductions in cost and energy. And, with research, design and manufacture carried out in North America and distribution throughout the Caribbean, customers enjoy all the benefits of one-stop shopping.

For more information visit www.acorneng.com or www.neometro.com

2010 DesignHouse – On View through August 2010 Dania Beach, Florida The first ever 2010 DesignHouse is on view at DCOTA, located on the third floor of the A Building. Fourteen top international and South Floridian designers have created a truly remarkable staging of living, utilising the best resources available. DesignHouse stimulates and inspires visitors, pushing the envelope with its extravagant display of sophisticated living.

For more information contact Ashlee Harrison or Stephanie Rosado at (954) 920 7997 or marketing@dcota.com

Banyan Participates in Bahamas Gateway FBO Semiar Fort Lauderdale, Florida Banyan teammates recently participated in the Bahamas Gateway FBO Seminar hosted by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism – Aviation Division (BMOTA).

“We appreciate Greg Rolle and Leonard Stuart of the BMOTA, arranging this seminar. It provides our teammates with exciting information that we can share with our customers about flying to the islands and all the wonderful activities available to them,” said Ms. Nancy Bouvier, Banyan’s director of marketing.

Banyan at FXE was appointed an official Gateway FBO to the Bahamas last year and works along side the BMOTA in many events and activities.

For more information visit the Banyan Bahamas pages at www.banyanair.com

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OPPOSITESATTRACT in Puerto Rico Exploring the architectural principle of prospect-and-refuge, one eco-modern design results in a dynamic union of opposites.

Words by Juliet Austin Photography by Pedro Casas and Eric Stella

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CAYMAN’S ATTARACT BLACK MAGIC MAN 24 | OPPOSITES

A

ptly named ‘Agama’, meaning a collection of sacred works, architect, Angel Cocero of San Juan-based Cocero Cordero Architects, and his wife, Beatriz Ferreira’s private tropical home on the outskirts of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico revels in the dichotomous interconnection of complementary opposites. Embracing the ancient Chinese philosophy of yin and yang, the residence achieves harmony of form and function, exhibiting innovative design driven by a green sensibility.

Accredited by the US Green Building Council as a leader in Environmental and Energy Design, Cocero sourced materials locally where possible to minimise both carbon footprint and construction waste. Using the Concretek System with fly ash recycled content for optimum wall insulation, the home has established areas for collection and storage of recyclables as well as down-lit exterior lighting and high, suspended ceilings with air gap chambers to prevent heat transfer. Low flow fixtures and Energy Star appliances work in tandem with

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OPPOSITES ATTRACT | 25

the integrated solar water heater, photovoltaic and humidity sensor irrigation systems, and onsite wastewater management to create an environmentally responsible, climate-ready home characterised by its modern minimalist style and show-stopping ingenuity.

A coup d’état of experiential architecture, Agama is a microcosm of a small city – a series of buildings drawn together by a collective context, generating what Cocero calls, “a story of experiences… through a sequence of spaces.” Inspired by the visceral duality of the human psyche: the need for refuge paired with the prospect of escape – the home’s architectural scheme provides areas of retreat and concealment while simultaneously allowing for unimpeded views of the great beyond.

Sheltering the residence from the “exterior tumult,” Agama’s undulating heavy L-shaped walls and white, reflective overhangs and >

Opposite top left: Fastidious orientation uses the solid angularity of the structure to create shaded outdoor living areas.

Opposite left: An amalgam of glass and metal allows for the seamless transition between outdoor and indoor spaces.

Middle right: Gypsum drop ceilings with recessed lighting keep the interior looking cool and modern.

Above: Tempered glass doors with stainless steel pivot frame and handle integrate the exterior to the interior.

Left: By contrast with the angular public façade, curves introduce softness and flow.

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26 |

rooftops offer a daring, rectilinear, sculptural façade. The home’s northerly orientation allows for an interesting interplay of light, minimising surfaces with solar exposure and maximising ventilation, shade and views while securing privacy and protection from the street.

Like the mythical land of Narnia, crossing over into Agama’s promenade of spaces is tantamount to going ‘through the wardrobe’. One enters across grass honeycomb pavers (used for storm water control and to mitigate the heat island effect) from the exterior courtyard garden through a glass box, acting as a compressor foyer for the house. The soft curvilinear contours of an internal river – complete with washed pebbles – cascades through the length of the house culminating in an outside fountain. Inspired by water, its cleansing powers, “and its virtues of fluidity, transparency, tranquillity,” the design uses collected rainwater to integrate indoor and outdoor elements.

In continuous flow, a floating pedestal crossing www.reallifecaribbean.com

explodes onto a double storey reception lounge with a glass curtain wall, overlooking the infinity pool and providing captivating views of the lush valley below. Optimising energy performance, operable glass fenestrations dominate, bringing in natural light and taking advantage of prevailing breezes to give a palpable sense of space and place while, a pale, neutral palette of white, grey and sand adds to the volumetric openness. Carefully selected hard surface materials: polished cement, porcelain tiles, glass and metal curtail humidity, while low absorbing, reflective fabrics combine with the stainless steel balcony railings and unobtrusive recessed and pendant lighting to create a sleek, clean minimalist interior.

Highly attuned to the needs of its inhabitants, the interdependence of polarities reveals the fundamental genius of this home. Agama’s celebration of seemingly contrary elements: obscurity versus clarity; randomness versus order; public versus private – results in the ultimate paradox of emotional balance and proportional harmony. With the transformative power of complementary opposites championing the cause of sustainable design, ‘green’ trailblazes its new path to become a leading light in the luxury market.

ATTRACT CAYMAN’S OPPOSITES BLACK MAGIC MAN | 27

Opposite Top left: The uninhibited night time view provides a dramatic, complementary backdrop for Agama’s stylish modern receiving room.

Opposite Bottom left: Stainless steel cable rails offer freedom from obstruction.

Above: Highly polished cement floors combine with metals and neutrals to create a clean, crisp minimalist interior.

Left: Flashes of colour are delivered via bold artistic statements.

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28 | MUST-HAVES

1.

2.

daily

green

3.

By Kyle Fulton

1. BRIGHT LIGHT The future has never looked so bright, or funky, thanks to these playful energy-efficient LED lamps that store sunshine in a glass. Made out of a traditional Mason jar, the rechargeable battery uses a solar cell to create an electrical current that charges in just a few hours.

Perfect for hurricane season, the ‘genius in a bottle’ comes in four fun colours. www.suck.uk.com 2. CHARGE IT Never get cut short again with this award-winning portable power source in your pocket. Capable of storing power for up to one year, whether from the sun, USB port or wall socket, the lightweight chargers are also affordable, dependable and durable. With thousands of interchangeable tips to ensure compatibility, and the ability to use the power source Mother Nature gave us, it is the perfect way to support a more sustainable world.

4. www.solio.com 3. RADICAL RUGS Made from recycled polypropylene straws, which are tightly woven to ensure strength and softness, this UV stabilised rug will never fade and is mildew resistant. With several imaginative designs on offer, good for both in and outdoor use, this is one rug that will have you kicking off your shoes. www.fabhabitat.com 4. GREEN GODDESS Green up your daily beauty routine with La Prairie’s Advanced Marine Biology Collection, a trio of products

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including a daily SPF 20 cream, a revitalizing tonic and concentrated night solution serum. Comprised of phytoplankton and microalgae harvested in an environmentally friendly manner, and combined with age-fighting ingredients to deliver elements essential to maintaining skins elasticity, vitality and youthfulness, the collection enables one to look good while doing good. The stateof-the-art range uses a scientific approach to combine luxury with proven results to reverse the skin-aging process, allowing those with an active lifestyle to enjoy the outdoors carefree. Visit page 17 to learn more about La Prairie’s contest giveaway and visit their website to learn more about the Advanced Marine Collection: www.laprairie.com.

5. THROW DOWN These stylish bamboo and cashmere throws do not just look good they are also antibacterial and environmentally friendly. Available in an array of bright, summery colours, they allow you to snuggle up guilt free while adding a dash of divine design to your abode. www.blisslivinghome.com

5.

30 | CAYMAN’S BLACK MAGIC MAN

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| 31

A Site to Behold De-sign of the times – a green dream, nestled into the coastline of the tiny emerald isle of St John, USVI. Words by Juliet Austin Photography by Daniel Nadelbach Styling by Gilda Meyer-Niehof

M

ichael Burgamy and Charlene Sloan Burgamy were tickled pink when Lady Luck handed them a golden opportunity to go green.

Responding to an auspicious advertisement in the Wall Street Journal, they journeyed to St John, the smallest of the US Virgin Islands, to claim their destiny: a 1.25 acre lot in Peter Bay with their name on it.

Secluded by the verdant hills and valleys of the adjacent National Park – home to mongoose, deer and greenthroated hummingbirds – and encircled by the lapping tides of a breathtaking cobalt coast, was the promise of something remarkable: a tropical escape like no other.

Aspiring to build a family home for entertaining friends and loved ones, “Where people could ‘spill out’ to a central area to be together, or retreat to private porches,” their paths crossed with local architect, Doug White, and their fate was sealed. Guided by the nuances of the land – natural water flow and drainage, prevailing winds and patterns of light and rain – owners and architect conspired to build a low impact home with high impact style. “It was,” muses Charlene, “quite serendipitous.”

THE LIE OF THE LAND Stipulating minimal clearance and prudent orientation, White’s intuitive site plan for the 7,370 square foot property began by recognising the need to reduce energy consumption.

Harnessing solar energy and the natural ventilation provided by cooling trade winds, concrete from nearby Puerto Rico was used to construct a hurricane resistant, U-shaped structure.

The site’s natural elevation, combined with a series of terraces stepping down to the beach, afforded immediate protection from storm surges while maintaining the vital visual connection >

Devised by Jeff Knox of Luminous Designs, a Lutron lighting system conserves electricity while oversized chandeliers in the great room turn up the temperature on style.

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32 | A SITE TO BEHOLD

Top: Casually elegant furnishings – overstuffed couches, bamboo and custom wood finishes – blend pattern and texture to create spaces imbued with the warmth and comfort of home.

Above: Extensive intricate tile work creates a luxurious Caribbean vibe when juxtaposed against recycled brick and local stone walling.

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to the coastline via plentiful outdoor galleries and deep-set verandahs.

Based on nature’s innate cleansing processes, White incorporated a state of the art Wastewater Ecological Treatment (WET) system developed by former NASA environmental engineer, Bill Wolverton. A paradigm for blackwater recycling, terracing and decking integrate the system seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, and by using a drainage channel, sediment basin and manmade sandy area it filters pollutants and inhibits run-off into the bay. Retention of exotic native species, in keeping with xeriscape tropical landscaping practices, mitigates beach erosion resulting in a small-scale biological wetland where plants, animals, insects and micro-organisms work symbiotically with sun, soil and air to produce an environment in balance. “It’s just right,” states Charlene, “everything feels right.”

Revisiting traditional island wisdom that dictates responsible water >

34 | PRELUDE PARADISE LA BELLE TO HELÉNE

management, collected greywater from the driveway, pool deck and galleries, feeds the landscape drip irrigation system, while potable rainwater from the roof is stored in a freshwater cistern to serve the Metlund D’MAND tankless hot water system. Consolidating its status as a leader in green design, power to the home’s Energy Star appliances, lighting and sounds systems comes courtesy of grid-tied utilities backed up by a photovoltaic system and net-metering (with a diesel generator thrown in for good measure).

LOW-KEY LUXURY Architectural design follows suit, working in tandem with green technology to deliver a distinct Caribbean flavour played out in the handcrafted retaining wall of local, salvaged stone and the preponderance of columns and arches. Authentic hurricane shutters adorn windows while secret courtyards, hidden amid the lush foliage, are accessed via meandering recycled brick walkways, adding whimsical West Indian charm and ingeniously reducing construction waste to boot.

Accentuating the natural ebb and flow of Caribbean life, rooms are linked by pocket doors to expansive, shady verandahs allowing for the free flow of breeze, light and camaraderie.

Characterised by vaulted, tongue and groove ceilings and, what interior designer, Laura Hooker of Designs by Laura calls, “breathable fabrics”, interiors boast a vibrant palette of nature-inspired tones: turquoise to seafoam; rich greens and subtle shades of sand, resulting in backdrop of understated, seductive luxury.

A far cry from the fiery fury of its volcanic birth, St John can now boast an eruption of a new kind – gentler on the environment, but not without enduring impact: a paradox of luxury design where less is more and myopic short-term thinking is banished to the dark ages in favour of a future that is bright and green and full of the prophetic wisdom of visionary architect, Frank Lloyd Wright who said: “The good building is not one that hurts the landscape, but one which makes the landscape more beautiful than it was before.”

RL

LA BELLE HELÉNE | 35

Opposite Top: Locally made mahogany, butter cream cabinets – glazed and slightly distressed – brighten the kitchen.

Opposite Left: According to West Indian lore light blue wards off ‘evil spirits’.

Top left: Outdoor showers create magical enclaves that foster relaxation and rejuvenation.

Above: A host of green technologies work behind the scenes to support this eco-abode.

Right: Shady terraces, foliage-covered alcoves and breezy galleries maintain a strong visual connection with water.

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“Reliable and consistent like an accountant, so you can be wild and creative like a rock star.”

Clockwise from top left: Sintesi, Black Oak and Futura.

and warmth of their exotic hardwood counterparts but at a fraction of the environmental and economic costs.

Operating in accordance with stringent European E1 standards on emissions, and using only the most current environmental techniques during production, the company’s Italian manufacturers, ALPI, share a commitment to sustainable forestry practices. Utilising fast-growing FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) Italian Poplar and sustainably harvested West African Ayous as base wood products, as well as water-based dyes and stains free of chrome and other heavy metals, the company donates one percent of annual sales to environmental projects courtesy of member organisation 1% For the Planet.

Capturing the stylised look of high-end designs, products come in six avant-garde collections all offering sumptuous tonal depths, rich striations and intense textures, making

them a top pick for designers seeking quality in a unique look. Suited to sheer angles or graceful curves, laminates are capable of adapting to a multitude of different applications. Paper-backed or High Pressure Laminatebacked for ease of installation, the company boasts a host of technical support quipping that their products are, “Reliable and consistent like an accountant, so you can be wild and creative like a rock star.”

Paradoxically, it is this seeming contradiction that speaks volumes about the genius of wood veneers. With irresponsible harvesting of trees threatening the world’s exotic hardwood forests and wreaking havoc on the natural environment, Treefrog’s quietly responsible wood veneers offer uncompromising luxury, but this time without holding the environment to ransom. Here, appearance and reality become integral aspects of the organic whole, revealing beauty that shines from the inside out.

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40 | ARCHITECT PROFILE

TONY BROOKS An aficionado of Caribbean architecture, Tony Brooks is intent on building a lasting legacy of environmentally-sensitive designs.

Why did you choose to become an architect?

This sprung from a very early interest in art, an appreciation for order and an equally early exposure to building technology and construction. These interests found a ready marriage in architecture. Later as my thoughts matured, the recognition that we are leaving behind legacies that form and complement the environment, that are useful to society and in which people find shelter and delight gave that choice more meaning to me.

Who was your first mentor and how did he/she influence you?

I don’t have a mentor as such. Rather I have gathered around me as many examples of what I love and have tried to understand why I loved them. I am still trying to find out.

How would you describe your design sense/style?

Simple but bold architectural statements that work and function perfectly and that are punctuated with a splash of colour. I make a deliberate effort not to be pigeonholed, although I am a classicist at heart, and am guided by those general principles at the outset of every project. My initial designs are quickly tossed or subsumed depending on what I am seeking to achieve with the final architecture; they may move towards being minimalist, modern, cubist or Caribbean neo-classical.

What is your favourite building in the Caribbean?

Two that currently linger are located in Trinidad – the recently completed Cultural Centre on the south side of the Queen’s Park Savannah and the point block on the corner of Abercrombie Street and Independence Square, Port of Spain. They are both simple geometries with glass envelopes.

Which is your own favourite out of your portfolio of work?

The ‘Walk of Fame’ at the Cave Hill Campus, University of the West Indies, Barbados. In the design of this

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monument to our West Indian Cricket Heroes, we tried to capture the symbolism of Sir Frank Worrell to West Indian people in general, and West Indian cricket in particular – in as simple an architectural form as we could.

What do you think you, and your industry as a whole, can do to make homes/buildings more environmentally friendly?

Professional architects should be at the forefront of the lobby against cutting up scarce land resources into small lots for sale. The industry should support the development of medium rise residential developments with excellent social and community amenities including green spaces and recreational facilities. Additionally, we should advocate for external space around all buildings being covered in green vegetation, residences being free of air conditioning except in extraordinary cases and that all residences should capture, treat and reuse their liquid waste.

What do you dream of one day designing if money were no object?

An eco-friendly residence so in tune with its physical environment that it is virtually undetectable. A residence with no obvious envelope but that is defensible and, thermally and otherwise, comfortable.

What is your favourite vacation spot?

My favourite vacation spot is not destination specific… London, New York, Toronto… somewhere where there is an abundance of performing arts.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My art collection.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I would love to be totally eloquent in the use of oils, pastels, charcoal, pencil, pen, watercolours… and to be singing Puccini while using them.

What are the biggest challenges or frustrations you face in your work?

Achieving all the objectives I set for myself on a particular day.

What inspires you to keep designing?

It is exhilarating to see the elated responses of clients whose dreams and ideas I have successfully translated into reality. It is from this that I receive my inspiration.

Where would we find you on a Friday night?

That is an easy one. You would most certainly find me ballroom or Latin dancing, or at home resting.

What is your motto?

These ideals are non-architectural but guide whatever I do: respect all people; embrace and enjoy the environment; seek peace and strive for perfection.

MUST-HAVES | 41

loved

By Kyle Fulton

1.

1. OAK COUTURE As unique as they are green, these folding barrel stave chairs made from salvaged wine casks are the perfect complement to any garden. Marked with the name of the winery from where they came, the portable and beautifully crafted chairs will leave you with nothing to whine about. www.whitmcleod.com 2. FIT TO BE TIED Using discarded railway ties from India, this rustic wooden bench is a brilliant and eco-conscious way to add panache to your place. The sturdy carved legs provide a clean base allowing the texture of the railway tie top to shine through, while the simplicity of the design highlights how easily old can become new. www.bambeco.com

2.

3. RACK ‘EM UP Fashioned from cast off tree trunks and roots, this coat rack is the ultimate eco statement. Combining artistic form with function, roots are twisted together by hand, then hand-nailed and sanded to ensure sturdiness and practicality. This serpentine design is perfect for when you need to make like a tree and leave your coat at the door. www.vivaterra.com

3.

4. STYLE TRACKS Transform your abode with these unique reclaimed railroad tie tables.

The weathered-wood top exudes character while the sleek metal base adds a modern air to these one-of-akind nestling tables. Chic and adaptable, they add a touch of unusual elegance to any home and are sure to stop any design guru in their tracks. www.vivaterra.com 4.

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MUCH ADO

ABOUT

bamboo

Photo courtesy of Smith & Fong

Classified as grass rather than wood, bamboo shoots into the stratosphere as design sage. Words by Juliet Austin

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44 | MUCH ADO ABOUT BAMBOO

Photo courtesy of Cheng Design

Photo courtesy of Smith & Fong

W

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idely considered the ‘it’ plant of the burgeoning green generation, bamboo continues to inspire almost evangelical praise amongst modern designers seeking stylish wood alternatives, yet, ironically, its uses can be traced back as far as 3500 BC. Predominantly grown in Asia, spreading into the Caribbean in the early 1900’s, bamboo’s erstwhile fame was as the number one chow of China’s giant pandas. Still, with some predicting that by 2012, revenue from bamboo goods will exceed twenty-five billion dollars, it looks to be flooring its competitors as the cane that is more than able.

From humble roots, bamboo boasts a tensile strength greater than steel and mightier than oak. One of the fastest growing plants on earth, some species grow up to two inches per hour and reach heights in excess of 100 feet.

Traditionally harvested at dawn or dusk on a full moon, construction grade bamboo’s high yield and low volatile organic compound (VOC ) emissions make it an ideal raw product for a modern building trade seeking to transport it from its utilitarian roots in scaffolding to the pinnacle of high design. Regenerating to full mass within six months – unlike conventional woods which take from ten to fifty years – not only does bamboo remove more carbon dioxide and produce more oxygen than the same number of trees, but harvesting leaves root systems intact preventing soil erosion. It is bamboo’s flexibility, versatility and durability that make the rise of this design industry underdog the ultimate tale of triumph.

Resonating natural warmth and rich aesthetic beauty, sustainably harvested bamboo has become the first choice for eco-abodes on the lookout for contemporary, earth-friendly products without compromising chic-factor.

Offering a variety of products, companies like BambooHardwoods zealously market high-quality bamboo wares, many of them Forest Stewardship Council-certified (FSC), in the earnest belief that using wood alternatives is one giant step for sustainability. Moisture resistant and with a simulated wood grain surface, BambooComposite interlocking decking tiles are formulated using bamboo powder by-products and polyethylene high-density recycled plastics (HDPE) meaning decking has never been so eco-sensitive or well suited for tropical living. >

Photos courtesy of Smith & Fong

CAYMAN’S BLACK MAGIC MAN | 45

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With industry innovators like Smith & Fong marketing sustainable, designrich, formaldehyde-free products like their PlybooPure range – sold and produced via FSC chain-of-custody companies – bamboo looks to be raising the stakes on its competitors.

Derived from forests using no pesticides, irrigation or fertilisers, Plyboo’s architectural plywood can be cut, sanded, stained and finished like wood and, unlike cedar or pine, it is naturally termite resistant due to high concentrations of silica in its fibres – a major attraction for those in the Caribbean. Flooring and veneer lines are sleek and sophisticated, offering a surprisingly diverse array of unique looks that explore colour, texture, contour and grain.

Launching the world’s first engineered bamboo dimensional lumber, Cali Bamboo’s Lumboo debuted on the market in March 2010, signalling yet another victory for green businesses looking to ‘make a

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Photos courtesy of Smith & Fong

46 | MUCH ADO ABOUT BAMBOO

difference’. Five years in the making, the practically indestructible lumber is formulated from 100% compressed bamboo strips, configured into a matrix for optimal structural integrity. Milled and sanded, Lumboo accepts patented sealants and colour finishes to give conventional wood products a run for their money, and is touted to have withstood floods, heat waves and hurricanes. Finally… a guilt-free product that offers no sacrifice on beauty or functionality.

In a market eager to embrace ecologically sound products and turn the tide on environmental irresponsibility, the strong, fast growing and resilient bamboo continues to cause riptides of excitement around the Caribbean, holding within its natural fibres the promise of a new era of design-with-adifference. After all, as the old Chinese proverb says: ‘If we do not change direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed.”

47

a tale of

e c n a r u d En A retrospective look at the innate sustainability of traditional Caribbean architecture. Words by Steve Mouzon

T

here may be no better example on earth of an architecture so sustainably attuned to its regional conditions, climate and culture than the architecture of the Caribbean. Ironically, this success can be largely attributed to a precarious natural balancing act: life played out on the double-edged sword of an idyllic paradise with the capacity to turn deadly in the blink of an eye. Thus, the Caribbean vernacular emerged in direct response to unique environmental factors. Heat, humidity and a propensity for hurricanes meant that sustainability was not simply a vague notion – rather an essential means for survival. Driven by durability, frugality and an overarching flexibility, the raw appeal of traditional Caribbean design materialised.

Perhaps by virtue of the need to offset such utilitarian roots, the region’s traditional architecture developed an ultimate strategy for ensuring longevity. Played out in the vibrant, tropical hues of painted surfaces, the soft contours of simple handcrafted elements and the sheltering shapes of great roofs, an endearing, enduring style evolved – secondary to the superseding demands of pragmatism – that assured lasting allure. With lush, tropical garden rooms, terraces and cool verandahs enticing people to embrace outdoor lifestyles, the future for the dawning age of Caribbean charm never looked so bright.

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A TALE OF INDURANCE | 48

Previous page: Captions Previous page: Captions Previous page: Captions Previous page: Captions

STRONG LIKE BULL The truism that buildings must be durable in order to endure is an essential tenet of traditional design.

Many lessons in hurricane endurance were learned when people emerged from the wreckage of their homes only to find their neighbours’ houses intact.

Learning by trial and error, they honed architectural techniques to minimise damage and maximise durability.

With many low-lying, flood-prone areas of the Caribbean, heavy masonry walls were the obvious choice, offering resilience for ground floor dwellings.

However, upper storeys, which drained quickly, more often than not utilised wood. This, along with the use of heavy piers to support verandahs and raise buildings above the surrounding earth, alleviated problems with flooding and

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Above: Casa de Velásquez, Santiago de Cuba. Many of the gallery’s screen panels are designed to pivot. They offer protection from the sun as well as allowing air to circulate.

Photo by Brent Winebrenner. Courtesy of Dr. Michael Connors.

Left: Strawberry Hill, Jamaica.

Photo by Steve Mouzon

Previous Page: The eighteenth century great house of San Juan Plantation Curaçao.

Photo by Brent Winebrenner. Courtesy of Dr. Michael Connors.

enabled buildings to withstand the ravages of debris and storm surges. In a similar vein, solid board shutters stood strong where glass would have smashed, developing over time into a characteristic element of Caribbean architecture.

Borne out by expert research, experience proved that shallow roofs get blown off, whereas roofs with too steep a pitch overturn. Ideally, roof slopes of 8:12 and 9:12 were found to stand a greater chance of survival. Consequently, hipped roofs with their supporting planes became popular options for all but the smallest structures or the heaviest of civic buildings.

And while deep overhangs offered the temptation of shade, they were sitting ducks for vicious winds.

Moreover, torrential rains pouring down sloped roofs would quickly dig trenches in the surrounding landscape. Diffusing the force of the water, and throwing it further from the building, shallow flared or ‘bell-cast’ eaves became iconic signatures of Caribbean style, recognised for their ability to protect both landscape and foundations. >

Photo by Steve Mouzon

A TALE OF ENDURANCE | 49

Left: The Halton Great House in St Philip Parish, Barbados. Photo by Brent Winebrenner. Courtesy of Dr. Michael Connors.

Above: Schooner Bay, Abaco, The Bahamas. Photo by Steve Mouzon

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DEAR PRUDENCE With extreme climatic conditions dictating heavy maintenance, frugality influenced the face of architectural design, giving precedence to outdoor spaces. Central to tropical living, lush gardens, covered terraces and airy verandahs allowed people to acclimatise to environmental conditions, making the transition inside less acute. By utilising exterior circulation, the need for interior hallways was negated, leading to smaller structures and the conservation of materials.

While not prevalent in today’s monolithic structures, it was common practice to build wings to a thickness of only a single room’s width due to the benefits of cross-ventilation and the advantages of daylight flooding the room from two sides. Louvers, now used more as a decorative motif, had a strong practical application: to maximise shade while allowing unrestricted aeration.

Sadly, the ensuing loss of great public places and private gardens has come at the cost of driving many of us indoors, necessitating air conditioning where it was not always the case.

Traditional architecture, therefore, has never been solely about style, but rather about being intensely shaped by conditions, climate and culture – all elements that conspire to produce a sort of authenticity of purpose, a collective experience that connects people all across the globe. As legendary explorer, Ernest Shackleton so aptly stated, “Superhuman effort isn’t worth a damn unless it achieves results,” and such is the story of Caribbean architecture. Doggedly determined by the need to endure, the innate sustainability and simple charm of the region’s architectural forms define the abiding nature of Caribbean style.

Opposite page (clockwise from top left): Ca’Liza, Nassau, The Bahamas, Photo by Carlos Ignacio Morales.

Courtesy of Amanda Lindroth.

A mid-nineteenth century Willemstad townhouse. The second-storey dormers retain the period crown details characteristic of Netherlands Antilles architecture. Photo by Brent Winebrenner. Courtesy of Dr. Michael Connors.

Schooner Bay, Abaco, The Bahamas. Photo by Steve Mouzon.

A polka dot Dutch Caribbean colonial kitchen. Photo by Brent Winebrenner.

Courtesy of Dr. Michael Connors.

Lyford Cay, Nassau, The Bahamas. Photo by Steve Mouzon.

52 | MUST-HAVES

3. HEEL AND SIT Inspired by the shape of a lady’s sandal, the environmentally friendly Manolo chair uses sustainable materials to create a seat that have guests flipping to flop on it. Stained rattan vines are woven on to a steel frame, which is then bound with leather strips and topped with a colourful cushion, making this a shoo-in as the perfect perch. www.kennethcobonpue.com

1.

4. CURVES AHEAD Inspired by antique furniture and the female form, the decidedly contemporary Curva console combines green design ethos with modern sensibilities for fresh results.

Available in a variety of eyepopping colours, the tables are moulded from fibreboard made from wood waste, while supplies come from companies within a fivemile vicinity, ensuring a minimal carbon footprint. Without a doubt, these tables are a leg up on the competition. www.liquidesign.co.uk

GREEN with envy

By Kyle Fulton

1. TALKING HEADS Hunt guilt-free with these laser-cut, nontoxic, recyclable cardboard trophy heads.

Whether mounted au naturel in their native brown or decorated with a discerning eye the animal heads are an ideal and earth-friendly way to introduce your walls to your favourite big game. www.3rliving.com

2.

2. STRING THEORY Made from sustainable organic materials, the fishnet style table is sure to catch the discriminating eye. Handmade using traditional Southeast Asian techniques, the Dragnet table’s fibres are twisted around a galvanised steel frame, providing designers with new hope for knotty rope. www.kennethcobonpue.com

3.

4.

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Seeds of Change

N

o word of a lie: they are bloomin’ everywhere.

From its roots in Europe and North America, the growing trend in green roofs and living walls is finally spreading its tendrils across the Caribbean, causing homeowners and businesses throughout our region to look anew at the benefits of greening their properties.

Ironically, in turning ‘back to nature’, the future of green technology has been unleashed.

Used for centuries across Europe, most notably in colder climes, ‘sky gardens’ enjoyed a resurgence in the 1960’s.

Victory was shouted from the

rooftops as word of their incredible insulating capabilities inevitably reached the shores of the Caribbean, forcing those looking to chill out to consider the power of green. Soon, the flourishing green rooftop industry spawned a new idea: biowalls – stunning vertical gardens that not only provide a visual and psychological breath of fresh air, but that also stand poised to revolutionise the way the Caribbean does cool.

Having garnered international recognition, companies like Canada’s ELT Easy Green and The NEDLAW GROUP developed new technologies in response to global demand for >

Photo courtesy of NEDLAW GROUP

The green revolution spawns new botanical architecture in the form of breathtakingly beautiful living roofs and walls. Words by Juliet Austin

Top: A 22m2 biowall makes for a striking backdrop at Sassafraz restaurant in the historic district of Yorkville, Canada.

Above: Organic, biological methods are used to control pests, ensuring ecological stability and species diversity.

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Photo courtesy of NEDLAW GROUP

CAYMAN’S BLACKLIQUID MAGICSTONE MAN | 53

Photo courtesy of NEDLAW GROUP

54 | SEEDS OF CHANGE

Above: University of Guelph Humber, Ontario, Canada.

“All things share the same breath – the beast, the tree, the man…” Chief Seattle www.reallifecaribbean.com

green products. Offering selfsustaining, pre-grown or planted-inplace interlocking roof tiles and patented vegetation mats – layered sealants, substrates, drainage and growth mediums – green roofs transformed previously ‘dead’ space into harmonious ecosystems,

simultaneously enhancing biodiversity while reducing the cooling load of buildings by between 50-90% in the summer months and significantly reducing and purifying storm water run-off. Credited with outliving traditional roofs by forty or more years, as well as offering insulation, absorption of rainwater, natural filtration for pollutants, and an appealing habitat for wildlife, it is no surprise that the green rooftop revolution is beginning to run rampant across the region.

Bringing the drama down from these lofty heights to create ‘living’ rooms with a mind-blowing wow factor, biowalls, quite literally, enable design spaces to blossom. Imagine for one moment an entranceway greeted by a floor-to-ceiling living wall – a mini-jungle ascending skyward, demanding an immediate shift in perception and giving unexpected sustenance to the soul.

Reminiscent of Seurat’s pointillism, the intricate interplay of flora used to create these quasi oases offer designers the ultimate untamed medium: exotic tropical foliage ranging from subtle grasses, ferns and flowers to robust crotons, purple hearts and rubber figs, set in recyclable and reusable modular panels. Planted and mounted directly onto walls or on stand-alone frames, options include interior and exterior applications, flat or curved surfaces, ornamental plants or even edible varieties like lettuces, herbs, beets and radishes.

Yet walls of beauty conceal the ultimate philanthropists. Poster children for the serious issue of air quality, biowalls are one design choice that keeps on giving. Quietly working behind the scenes to generate ‘virtual outside air’, they provide a vertical hydroponic biofilter, purifying by absorbing harmful indoor contaminants and, in turn, generating oxygen. Inspired, some companies, like NEDLAW, have taken it a step further, using nature’s paradigm as the catalyst for exciting advances in botanical engineering. Their patented active living walls integrate directly into air handling systems, harnessing nature’s selfrejuvenating powers to create customised, LEED-accredited, biowalls

SEEDS OF CHANGE | 55

Below: A four-storey high ‘living wall’ of vines and plants acts as a natural air purifier at the Cambridge City Hall in Ontario.

Photo courtesy of ELT Easy Green: www.eltlivingwalls.com

Photo courtesy of NEDLAW GROUP

Photo courtesy of INKA: www.inka.fm

Bottom: Botanical architecture with a sustainable edge: this Los Angeles residential project uses grey water as an irrigation source.

whose innate cleansing power actively filters out volatile organic compounds, providing technological innovation to the world of sustainable design. Supported by recent studies, these active biowalls not only tackle air quality, but do so in an energy efficient, cost effective manner – not too shabby for a natural remedy.

By literally turning buildings ‘green’, these new technologies resonate with an ancient wisdom expressed by the wise Chief Seattle: “All things,” he said, “share the same breath – the beast, the tree, the man….” Blazing their ecoconscious trail, living roofs and walls set customers free to explore their green dreams while protecting their greenbacks. Uncompromising on style, one can only hope that these botanical beauties spreading like wildfire across the region, will succeed in making others green with envy.

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56 | CAYMAN’S BLACK MAGIC MAN

Sir

Roland Richardson Hailed ‘the father of Caribbean Impressionism’, St Martin’s native son answers the calling of colour.

Words by Juliet Austin

SIR ROLAND RICHARDSON | 57

H

e is the quintessential artist.

Working en plein air from living subjects – a classical methodology established during the Impressionist movement – he can often be found perched atop a bluff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, paintbrush poised and shirttails billowing in the breeze, his broad brimmed straw hat shading eyes that shine with piercing exactitude. A creative tour-de-force on the Caribbean arts’ scene for close to four decades, Sir Roland Richardson has earned his stripes as one of the most prolific artists in the region, yet at sixty-four he remains as committed to his craft as he was at seventeen when he first devoted himself to a life of artistic expression: “There is no end to discovering the mystery of the beauty that art leads us to experience – which draws us to higher understanding and consciousness as human beings.”

Born in 1944, Richardson’s roots run deep in the French West Indies, dating back to the mid-1700’s when his ancestor, Sieur de Durat, was commissioned by King Louis XVI to build a fortress protecting the harbour.

Deeply entrenched in four centuries of St Martin’s history, it is this ubiquitous connection to, “one of the most dramatic places on earth” that pervades all his works, providing an unwavering cornerstone from which he celebrates the vagaries of colour, light, flora and, through his portraiture, the island’s people. His family’s historic >

Previous page: Sir Roland ‘perched on the side of the mountain’ at Cupecoy Beach, St. Martin, painting an oil on canvas. Photo by: Laura Richardson.

Top: ‘Rainbow Bougainvillea overlooking Marigot Harbour’, original ‘plein air’ oil on canvas. Painted on a private estate in French St. Martin, at one time owned by director Stanley Kramer. Photo by: Laura Richardson.

Left: ‘Kenep Tree at Cupecoy’. Photo by: Manuel Diego van der Landen.

Above: Sir Roland and his youngest daughter, Radiance, in front of a 6ft x 10ft oil on canvas, painted at Golden Grove Plantation in St. Martin. It shows a mango tree in July with hundreds of ripening fruit dancing and dangling in the summer sunshine. The plantation has been in the Richardson family for almost 300 years. Photo by: Laura Richardson.

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58 | SIR ROLAND RICHARDSON

nineteenth-century Creole townhouse in the French capital of Marigot, is the perfect venue for Richardson’s eponymously named gallery. Here his work showcases the spirit of the Caribbean – the summer squall over a stormy ocean, fish, mangos, limes and plantains or bouquets of Flamboyant blooms – all creative fodder for St Martin’s ‘modern-day Gauguin’.

Respected worldwide, Richardson received the highest award of the Dutch royal decorations, the Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau in 2007, from the court of Queen Beatrice of the Netherlands (one in a long list of high profile collectors including Jackie Kennedy Onasis, the Getty family and Harry Belafonte), and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the French Government. With countless exhibitions to his name, including the distinction of being the first West Indian artist to exhibit at the major Art Hamptons exhibition in New York this summer, Richardson’s gift endures.

Represented in collections as far a-field as Amsterdam, Beirut, Moscow and Zurich, he unleashes the vibrant spirit of the Caribbean on a global scale.

Described by Harlem Renaissance painter, Romare Bearden as seeing, “with the lens of a painter and the inward gaze of a poet,” Richardson’s empathic renderings communicate a mesmerising spontaneity of form and motion, born of a desire to capture the

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essence of his subject at a single moment in time. “Working from life is the most challenging undertaking in painting because there is no fixity, only a constant change revealed in colour, shadows and changing form… bringing you closer to a sense of being in the present.”

Devoted to a simple life of “genuine focus,” he revels in the dynamic relationship forged between artist and subject, claiming that he is ‘called’ by the pure light and intense colour of his subjects, acting merely as conduit for what emerges from the canvas: “Colour

felt is nourishment… is the messenger of illumination,” he states. “Colour is my language.” Chiefly using oils on canvases as large as ten by seven feet, Richardson’s oeuvre includes a diversity of media from copper plate etchings and pastels to charcoal and woodcuts.

Committed to enriching and expanding the Caribbean cultural experience, Richardson’s profusion of ‘snapshots’ form an invaluable historic record of the region’s transformation. Like Monet at Rouen Cathedral, he paints scenes repeatedly from the same vantage point, open compositions that are “mirrors of their time.”

Nowhere is this more evident than in the exquisite mastery of his Flamboyant trees. Synonymous with his name, the iconic, fiery red blooms give primacy to colour over line, emanating the vibrancy and energy of new discovery. “The Flamboyant tree is emerging as a symbol of the Caribbean – a region of emergent self-awareness and self-determination. It is fitting that its spirit plays such a central role in guiding my career.”

Sir Roland may well be all about capturing moments of transience, intensity and immediacy, but with each brush stroke he paints himself into the collective consciousness of the Caribbean – into the visual history of a fast-evolving culture. His is the mark of a true patriarch: an artist who answered the calling of colour; one for whom first impressions last.

Previous Page Top: ‘Flamboyant in the Artist's Yard’, a rare 7ft x 5ft ‘plein air’ oil on canvas. Sir Roland set up in the midst of the brilliant blooms to gain a sense of the profusion of these red, orange and yellow sirens. Photo by: Pattie Knisely

Previous Page Middle: ‘Woman with Bandeau in Madras’ (2010), original oil on canvas. Inspired by the French Creole culture this shows the traditional dress worn by a young woman. Photo by: Ahmad Abdul-Baki

Above: ‘Mangoes on Red’, an original oil on board. A delicious experience of colour painted during the summer harvest season in St. Martin. Photo by: Manuel Diego van der Landen

Left: ‘Tropical Floral Still Life with Bottles on Artist’s Worktable’ (2010), original ‘plein air’ oil. A magnificent representation of Sir Roland’s luminescent, colourful still lifes; combining elements that depict his Caribbean heritage such as the tropical flowers picked fresh and immortalised forever in constant bloom.

Photo by: Laura Richardson.

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To view more of Sir Roland Richardson’s work, visit: www.reallifecaribbean.com

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REPORT CAYMAN’S BLACK REAL MAGIC MAN | 61

Photo courtesy of www.archsolar.com

the economy of

Is it time to power your home with renewable energy? Words by Graham Morse

D

riven by increasing concerns for the environment, homeowners all over the world are turning to green technologies to produce their own clean energy, reduce their carbon footprint and save themselves money.

Here in the Caribbean, electricity is

green

our main energy source and prices are very high compared to other parts of the world. This is because we are particularly dependent upon imports of foreign oil needed to power utility companies’ diesel generators, making us vulnerable to the threat of reduced oil supplies and rising prices.

Fortunately, with a host of practical green energy options available, homeowners are taking advantage of alternative sources of renewable energy.

Given the plentiful hours of daily sunshine that we enjoy, solar is the most obvious sustainable energy for most Caribbean homes. There are two >

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62 | REAL REPORT

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suited to everyone, chances are the Caribbean will see a marked increase in the use of commercial wind farming to produce green energy.

Seen as a particularly helpful initiative in attracting tourism in the Caribbean, one such example is James Post’s eco-resort, Paradise Bay in Grenada, where a wind turbine is used to supply all power, making electricity cheaper than the utility company (given that oil is between US$48 to US$80 per barrel). With oil prices forecast to rise again to US$140 per barrel, the financial case for wind turbines becomes even stronger.

Geothermal energy is probably the least well-known renewable energy source in the Caribbean but it provides an energy efficient and environmentally friendly cooling and water heating

Green initiatives are particularly helpful in attracting tourism in the Caribbean... system. Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP’s) are electrically powered systems that tap the stored energy of the greatest solar collector in existence: the earth. These systems use the earth’s relatively constant temperatures to provide heating, cooling, and hot water for homes and commercial buildings.

Although widely used for heating in colder climates like the USA and Canada, in hot climates the system is reversed to cool the building by pulling heat from the building, carrying it through the system and placing it in the ground, creating all your hot water in the process! It is significantly more efficient than traditional A/C systems and saves money in operating and maintenance costs. Energy savings usually exceed the cost of the system and the GSHP is a quiet unit, like a

refrigerator, that sits inside your home.

What is more, if used in conjunction with PV solar panels, the electricity the system uses is free.

Recognising that a house totally powered by clean, renewable energy can be a major capital investment, governments in most Caribbean countries are providing consumer incentives such as duty waivers on imported equipment. However, the biggest boost to the uptake of green technology will come from net metering, where a single meter runs forwards when you are using grid power and backwards when you are giving power to the grid. At the end of the month your utility account is in debit or credit accordingly. The attraction is that it eliminates the need for a bulky and expensive battery storage system, making the capital cost much lower and the payback much quicker. Although widely used in the USA, net metering is now being introduced in the Caribbean. Already in use in Grenada and the US Virgin Islands, its introduction is expected in the Cayman Islands this year, with other countries following as governments realise the benefits of encouraging homes and businesses to generate their own energy.

Viewed as a long-term investment, the returns are very attractive. In fact, some Caribbean banks now offer mortgages on renewable energy equipment, subject to normal lending conditions, because they can see an immediate positive cash flow, with the monthly mortgage repayment costing a lot less than the monthly utility bill might have been.

While early adaptors have shown the technology works and proved they have made a sound investment that is saving them money, they also have the satisfaction of owning a zero carbon emission home. As government incentives kick in and the cost of oil rises, the economic case will become even stronger and the economy of green will become the norm in our Caribbean islands so abundantly blessed with sunshine and wind.

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Further resources can be found at: www.reallifecaribbean.com

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ways to use solar energy: solar photovoltaic (PV) to generate electricity or solar thermal to produce hot water.

A solar PV system uses panels or modules, often placed on the roof, which convert the sun’s rays into DC electricity while inverters produce AC current. Available in three formats – flat panels, thin film and roof tiles – owners can decide which option best suits their home aesthetically. For example, new bi-facial panels can be integrated into a trellis design around a pool. Systems can be stand alone, which necessitates a large battery bank to store electricity made in the day for use at night, or connected to the grid to supply night time power. Despite the misperception that PV systems can only be installed with a new home build, they can be easily retrofitted to existing structures. No longer an eyesore, solar panels are rather the proud stamp of forward-thinking individuals who choose to invest in clean energy and dispense with utility bills forever.

The capital cost of a solar PV system needed to generate electricity depends on several variables – how much power your home uses and whether you want to generate all the power you use or just part of it. Although the initial outlay can be significant, on average a system pays for itself in ten years. In addition a well-designed PV system adds to the resale value of the house, and having an independent source of electricity can also come in handy after natural disasters, such as hurricanes.

Solar thermal, which is used to produce hot water, has a much lower capital cost resulting in a much higher consumer uptake. With the average price of a residential unit costing around US$4–5,000 and a payback period of only three to four years, this easily-installed, maintenance free option provides significant energy savings and positive cash flow, all while reducing one’s carbon footprint.

Another source of clean, renewable energy, often viewed as the perfect green energy source for the Caribbean, is wind. Unlike solar units, wind turbines generate power both day and night. Sleek in design, unobtrusive and quiet, they do need a consistently windy location (on average of 12/15 mph) and a large piece of open land. So, while not

64

Simple steps to ensuring

˜

ahealthy home Words by Sharon Patterson

or many of us, home is our sanctuary; our retreat from the world. And while it is important to question the health of our homes, it is in the recognition of õm – the oneness of all that exists – that our possible salvation lies; in the acknowledgement that what affects us, affects the world around us, if only we connect the dots...

Over the past few decades, homes have been designed to be ‘tighter’ and more energy efficient. While positive in terms of cost savings and reduction of energy consumption, we are often guilty of furnishing our homes with products imported across vast distances, with scant knowledge of their true origins or the materials used to create them.

Unbeknownst to us, this oversight could be releasing noxious toxins into our cherished homes, negatively impacting our health and our environment.

From formaldehyde to carbon monoxide, airborne gases and particles rank as the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes, and have been linked to the dramatic increase in asthma, respiratory illness, hyperactivity and even cancer. Fortunately, the solution is simple: control, monitor and ventilate.

F

CONTROL Source control means avoiding not just toxic materials but also substances that can fuel other toxins such as mould. This includes formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and Polyvinylchloride (PVC).

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and a healthy planet

A common source of formaldehyde lies in pressed wood products like particleboard used for cabinetry, furniture, sub-flooring and shelving.

Generally recognised as the highest formaldehyde-emitting pressed wood product, medium density fiberboard contains a higher resin-to-wood ratio than any other Urea Formaldehyde (UF) pressed wood product.

With paints and lacquers, paint strippers, carpeting, cleaning supplies, pesticides, copiers and printers, glues and adhesives, permanent markers, photographic solutions and even air fresheners and dryer sheets emitting VOC’s, organisations such as greenseal.org test products and publish lists of safe levels.

Widely used in construction, PVC is the worst plastic from an environmental health perspective, posing a major hazard during manufacture, product life and disposal. Exposure to dioxin (the most potent carcinogen known), ethylene dichloride and vinyl – all toxins that are unavoidably created during production – can result in a profusion of health-related complications ranging from cancer and neurological damage to birth defects and endometriosis. With toxic emissions released long after manufacturing is complete, sourcing good alternatives such as PEX plumbing and linoleum flooring is wise.

MONITOR In order to counter silent killers like radon and carbon monoxide, systematic

monitoring of indoor air quality is critical.

The result of radioactive decay found in the soil, water and air, radon (Rn) is a naturally occurring gas whose electrically charged particles readily adhere to suspended dust motes.

Easily inhaled, it has the dubious distinction of being the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoke. Emitted from building products such as granite, rigorous testing is the only sure-fire way to avoid risk.

Odourless and colourless, sources of carbon monoxide (CO) include gas water heaters and stoves, unvented heaters, leaking furnaces and automobile exhausts. Classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the most common air pollutants, responsible for hundreds of deaths and thousands of hospitalisations each year, use of carbon monoxide detectors, regular servicing of gas appliances and appropriate ventilation to the outdoors can be life saving measures.

VENTILATE Proper ventilation is of particular importance in the Caribbean where high temperatures and humidity can increase concentrations of many indoor pollutants, VOC’s and mould spores.

Installation of automatic or sensordriven exhaust fans that perform between 50 – 100 cubic feet per minute (cfm) in kitchens and bathrooms facilitates dehumidification, controlling moisture by introducing outdoor air to dilute emissions and expelling indoor air pollutants to the outside. Other measures include avoiding carpet in bathrooms, using non-paper faced backer board behind showers, repairing plumbing leaks and ensuring proper drainage away from the home’s foundations.

By failing to control, monitor and ventilate our homes, we expose ourselves to serious health-related consequences that impact our lives negatively. In mitigating the risk factors associated with exposure to toxins, we can directly reduce respiratory illnesses, cancers and other health issues, reducing dependence on medication, frequency of doctor’s visits and hospitalisation to affect a genuine change in the quality of our lives. Best of all, implementation of such straightforward steps does not demand that we forego our creature comforts but rather, ensures that we are healthy enough to enjoy them fully.

For further information on companies and products mentioned in this article visit: www.reallifecaribbean.com

real estate THE BAHAMAS Mario Carey Realty ........................................................66 BARBADOS Godiva Realty ................................................................66 CAYMAN ISLANDS Regal Realty ...................................................................67 Dragon Bay, The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman .............68 TURKS & CAICOS Turtle Breeze Villa .........................................................67

| 69

‘tis the season to

be prepared A

s the old adage goes: “It was not raining when Noah built the ark – it pays to plan ahead.” Awareness and preparation are essential elements of weathering any storm and with wind speeds gusting in excess of 100 mph, hurricanes are one of Mother Nature’s most formidable forces. With another season upon us (June 1 – November 30), Caribbean residents may well hope for the best, but it pays to be prudent and prepare for the worst.

BE INFORMED Knowledge is the first line of defence against the threat of hurricanes.

■ Know the risk factors from storm surge, flooding and wind for your area and gauge

your home’s vulnerability in order to evaluate your personal safety.

■ Identify your nearest official public shelter and designated Emergency

Medical Centre.

■ Know when to take action – Watch versus Warning. Follow local advisories.

■ Devise and share a comprehensive family plan, ensuring provision for

pets, boats and vehicles.

■ Check insurance coverage is up-to-date and relevant to your needs.

■ Track hurricane activity on a map and educate yourself about the

dynamics of a storm.

PRE-STORM PREPARATION 101 Make a plan – get a kit.

■ Stock up on emergency supplies (non-perishable food, water – one gallon per

person per day, first aid, prescription medications) to last each person 3 – 7 days.

■ Prepare a Disaster Supply Kit, including essential documentation and provisions

for the young, elderly and any family pets.

■ Inspect property, make repairs and ensure complicity with hurricane codes in

your area.

■ Minimise damage by removing debris from the surrounding area – anything that

■ ■ ■

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

could become a hazardous missile in heavy winds should be brought inside or anchored firmly in place.

Install hurricane shutters on doors and windows. Alternatively, cut and label plywood sheets for each opening.

Prepare electrical items within the home: charge useful items and unplug appliances.

Turn refrigerator and freezer to maximum settings. When electricity is disconnected, turn off all breakers for branch circuits to avoid overloading the grid when power is reinstated.

Have access to a battery-powered radio, torches and lanterns with spare batteries.

Disconnect your car battery. Keep booster cables and spare automotive fuses on hand.

Fuel up vehicles and obtain fuel for any portable generators.

Create and execute a sound plan to protect your boat.

Withdraw extra cash in case of bank closures following the storm.

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70 | ‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE PREPARED

ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTATION Preparing a grab bag in advance will save headaches later on.

■ Secure passports and essential documentation in heavy-duty waterproof

bags/containers.

■ Check that you have credit cards, insurance documents, medical records and

bank account details.

■ Take up-to-date exterior and interior photographs of your property, including

furniture and equipment for insurance claims.

■ Make an up-to-date inventory of possessions.

■ Protect important personal items (photographs, birth/marriage certificates, etc.).

COMMUNICATION Keeping in touch with family, friends and authorities is vital in any emergency situation.

■ Charge all phones and laptops prior to hurricane. Obtain spare batteries and

car chargers.

■ Purchase extra credit on prepaid mobile phones.

■ Protect phones from water damage by using heavy-duty, waterproof bags.

■ Programme emergency telephone numbers into your phone and ensure family

members have contact numbers for communication during and after a storm.

GENERATORS If using a portable generator, know your stuff.

■ Familiarise and follow operational instructions for safe generator use. Deaths

and injuries from electric shock, fire and carbon monoxide poisoning have been attributed to improper use.

■ NEVER use a generator indoors or in partially enclosed spaces.

■ Install battery-operated or plug-in Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms with battery back-up, according to manufacturer’s installation instructions, and test CO alarm batteries frequently.

PREPARING YOUR BUSINESS If employees are clear about expectations and responsibilities, hurricane preparation should be a breeze.

■ The safety of employees comes first. Prepare, distribute and exercise your

Business Disaster Recovery Plan.

■ Secure computer data, equipment, hard copy files and any other vital

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

information necessary to keep your company running during and after the hurricane. Back up electronic information and store disks safely.

Discuss with your insurance agent the extent of your coverage and ensure it fits your requirements.

Once an alert is issued, listen for and follow the advice of local authorities.

Set up lines of communication between the Disaster Reaction Coordinator and essential staff.

Ready the building by shuttering windows, clearing compounds and sandbagging doors.

Allow non-essential staff to go home to secure their properties and make personal preparations.

EVACUATION Local officials can order evacuations if they believe an approaching storm will be a safety hazard or cause serious damage.

■ If you decide to evacuate, do so early.

■ Prior to the commencement of hurricane season, organise Visas (if required) and

your contact details.

■ As you may be away for an indefinite length of time, make arrangements for your property and family pets with this in mind.

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ensure passports are current.

■ Arrange accommodations in advance and ensure that at least one person has

For further detailed information on preparation, including a list of Caribbean shelters and national hurricane websites, please visit www.reallifecaribbean.com.

CARIBBEAN REGION ARCHITECTS Tony Brooks Architects Ltd., (Barbados) ...................(246) 437 8881 Lee H. Skolnick Architecture ......................................(212) 989 2624 OBM International Antigua.........................................................................(268) 462 1047 Bermuda......................................................................(441) 278 3550 British Virgin Islands .....................................................(284) 494 2148 Cayman Islands...........................................................(345) 949 8115 Miami ...........................................................................(305) 537 7100 Trinidad and Tobago ....................................................(868) 624 6449 Andrew Goodenough Architects, Antigua..........................(268) 460 1489 Brisbane N. & Associates, St Kitts Nevis.... ......................(869) 465 5111 John Doak Architecture .....................................................(345) 946 3625 Caribbean Design, Architects & Engineers, Barbados ......(246) 427 5696 Downing Roger & Partner Co. Ltd, BVI ..............................(284) 494 2762 Lancaster Associates, St Kitts & Nevis ..............................(869) 465 7931 Melon Design, St Lucia......................................................(758) 458 4605 ATTORNEYS O’Neal Webster, BVI....................................................(284) 494 5808 Ogier, BVI ...........................................................................(284) 494 0525 Lex Caribbean, Trinidad & Tobago.....................................(868) 628 9255 AVIATION & AIRLINES Arrindell Aviation Services, St Maarten ...............................(599) 546 7641 Biz Jet To Yacht (FBO 2000), Antigua ................................(268) 562 4347 Bohlke International Airways, St Croix ................................(340) 778 9177 I Am Caribbean Inc, Barbados ..........................................(242) 428 1704 I Am Jet Centre, Jamaica ..................................................(876) 971 9033 Island Air, Cayman Islands.................................................(345) 949 5252 Lloyd Aviation Services, Anguilla........................................(954) 804 4288 Million Air San Juan, Puerto Rico .......................................(787) 994 3200 MN Aviation, Puerto Rico ...................................................(787) 791 7090 Odyssey Aviation Asheville Regional Airport ............................................(828) 684 6832 Charleston International Airport ....................................(843) 414 9200 Chicago Midway Airport...............................................(773) 284 2867 Cincinnati Lunken Airport .............................................(513) 871 2020 Port Columbus International Airport .............................(614) 238 3900 Lafayette Regional Airport............................................(337) 234 3100 Lynden Pindling International Airport............................(242) 702 0200 New Orleans Lakefront Airport .....................................(504) 241 2800 Provo Air Centre, Turks and Caicos ...................................(649) 946 4181 St Thomas Jet Centre, St Thomas.....................................(340) 777 9177 BANKS & FINANCIAL SERVICES St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency (SKIPA) ........(869) 465 1153 HSBC, Bermuda ................................................................(441) 299 6615 KPMG, Barbados ...............................................................(246) 427 5230 KPMG, Cayman Islands.....................................................(345) 949 4800 Royal Bank of Canada, Bahamas......................................(649) 941 4776 Royal Bank of Canada, Barbados .....................................(246) 367 2300 DESIGNERS Adriana Hoyos ............................................................(305) 572 9052

DCOTA: Design Center of the Americas ...........................(954) 920 7997 Marble of the World............................................................(954) 745 9700 DEVELOPERS / CONSTRUCTION / SURVEYORS BCQS International Bahamas .....................................................................(242) 393 5352 Barbados.....................................................................(246) 428 8091 British Virgin Islands .....................................................(284) 494 7144 Cayman Islands...........................................................(345) 949 8644 St Lucia........................................................................(758) 450 7040 Turks and Caicos .........................................................(649) 946 4238 B.E. Groupe, Inc ................................................................(310) 300 4062 Decco Products Int’l Inc. ...................................................(305) 266 0104 Expert Roof (St. Martin) ....................................................+59 05 90 8717 Goldeneye Development, Jamaica ...................................(876) 297 7777 Mansail Development Group, LLC, USA ...........................(813) 254 3110 Rotherley Construction Inc, Barbados ...............................(246) 425 0950 St Kitts Nevis Anguilla Trading & Developing Co Ltd .........(869) 465 2511 Victor International ..............................................................(248) 364 2400 KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & CABINENTRY Downsview Kitchens of Dania ....................................(954) 927 1100 Downsview Kitchens of Juno......................................(561) 799 7700 Kitchen Design Studio in Dominican..........................(809) 541 7707 Briko One, Antigua.............................................................(268) 562 3528 Cactus Stone & Tile ...........................................................(602) 275 6400 Delta Faucets.....................................................................(317) 587 1248 The Italian Kitchen Company, Trinidad ...............................(868) 628 3045 Knoll ...................................................................................(877) 615 6655 Living Design, St Kitts ........................................................(869) 465 3223 Nolte Kitchens....................................................................(954) 929 0889 Scavollini........................................................................ (+39) 0721 4431 POOLS & LANDSCAPE DESIGN Aquatic Consultants, Florida ..............................................(305) 383 7266 David Tisherman’s Visual Inc., California ...........................(310) 379 6700 MKS International ...............................................................(345) 916 7612 REAL ESTATE AGENTS Godiva Realty (Barbados) ......................................... (246) 249 8032 Christie's Great Estates Anguilla .......................................................................1 888 226 4845 Antigua & Barbuda ......................................................(268) 562 6042 Bahamas .....................................................................(242) 322 1041 Barbados.....................................................................(246) 432 0840 Bermuda......................................................................(441) 296 0278 British Virgin Islands .....................................................(284) 494 2446 Cayman Islands...........................................................(345) 815 7777 Dominican Republic ....................................................(829) 473 0000 St. Martin................................................................(590) 590 51 02 85 Turks & Caicos.............................................................(649) 941 4105 US Virgin Islands..........................................................(340) 775 9000 St. Barth.................................................................(590) 590 29 88 91 HCL Group ........................................................................(868) 622 4925 Sotheby’s International Realty Group Anguilla ........................................................................(246) 498 0123 Bahamas .....................................................................(242) 362 4211

Barbados.....................................................................(246) 432 2470 BVI ...............................................................................(284) 494 3999 ..

Cayman Islands...........................................................(345) 623 1234 St Barth ........................................................................(508) 528 7727 St Lucia........................................................................(758) 285 5422 Turks and Caicos.........................................................(649) 946 4474 RESORTS / MARINAS The Estates on Sundance Ridge, St Kitts..........................(869) 466 1277 Caneel Bay, USVI ...............................................................(340) 776 6111 Canouan Resort, St Vincent & Grenadines ........................(784) 458 8044 Cap Cana, Dominican Republic ........................................(809) 227 2262 Nanny Cay Village, BVI.......................................................(284) 494 4895 Ocean’s Edge, St Kitts.......................................................(869) 466 7991 Oil Nut Bay, BVI .................................................................(800) 761 0377 Rosewood Little Dix Bay, BVI .............................................(284) 495 5555 Scrub Island, BVI................................................................(877) 890 7444 Sea Horse Ranch, Dominican Republic ............................(809) 571 3880 Sugar Ridge, Antigua.........................................................(268) 562 7700 The Crane Resort, Barbados .............................................(246) 423 6220 Turtle Breeze Villa ............................................................1 (866) 331 4269 SHIPPING Tropical Shipping..................................................................800 638 8767 SHOPPING, JEWELLERY & AUTO Little Switzerland Aruba ...........................................................................(297) 586 1166 Bahamas .....................................................................(242) 322 8521 Barbados.....................................................................(246) 431 0030 British Virgin Islands .....................................................(284) 494 3730 Cayman Islands...........................................................(345) 946 6292 Curacao.....................................................................(5999) 461 2111 Puerto Rico ..................................................................(787) 791 5723 St John ........................................................................(340) 715 5340 St Maarten ...................................................................(599) 542 2523 St Thomas ...................................................................(340) 776 2010 LVMH Global............................................................+33 (0) 1 44 132 222 Mercedes.....................................................................+55 11141736611

CAYMAN ISLANDS ARCHITECTS Design (Cayman)...............................................................(345) 949 2800 John Doak Architecture .....................................................(345) 946 3625 ATTORNEYS Conyers Dill and Pearman .................................................(345) 945 3901 J Barry Smith Attorney-at-Law ............................................(345) 943 7700 AVIATION SERVICES Island Air ............................................................................(345) 949 5252 BANKING & MORTGAGES Cayman National Bank ......................................................(345) 949 4655 Fidelity Bank (Cayman) Ltd ................................................(345) 949 7822 First Caribbean International Bank (Cayman) Ltd ..............(345) 949 7300 HSBC Bank (Cayman) Ltd .................................................(345) 949 7755

Directory contd.

CONDOMINIUM & VILLA RENTALS The Ritz-Carlton Luxury Rentals .................................(345) 326 1278 Cayman Villas, Vacation Rentals ........................................(345) 945 4144 Cotton Tree ........................................................................(345) 943 0700 CONDO/RESIDENCES DEVELOPMENTS The DeckHouses at the Ritz-Carlton (Grand Cayman)......(345) 815 7777 The Terraces at Camana Bay.............................................(345) 640 3808

Executive Flight Support ....................................................(242) 424 9598 Odyssey Aviation Bahamas ...............................................(242) 702 0200 Western Air.........................................................................(242) 377 2222

ARCHITECTS RA Shaw Designs ..............................................................(649) 941 4394 Simon Wood Associates....................................................(649) 946 5911

ARCHITECTS Artech Bahamas Ltd ..........................................................(242) 327 2335 Bruce LaFleur & Associates...............................................(242) 323 8421

BANKS Fidelity ................................................................................(649) 941 5624 Hallmark Bank & Trust Ltd..................................................(649) 946 5524 Royal Bank of Canada .......................................................(649) 941 4667

DEVELOPMENTS / MARINAS Camana Bay ......................................................................(345) 946 2229 The Bacadere Marina.........................................................(345) 949 3743

BANKS Fidelity ................................................................................(242) 356 7764 Scotia Bank........................................................................(242) 502 5799 SG Private Banking ............................................................(242) 302 5000

DEVELOPERS Butler Property Development Group ..................................(345) 945 4977 Davenport Development Ltd..............................................(345) 949 4979 Orion Developers...............................................................(345) 815 7777

CONCIERGE SERVICES Platinum Pineapple .....................................................(242) 393 4921 BYM & Simply Gourmet......................................................(242) 393 0905 Island Concierge Services .................................................(242) 362 6861

INTERIOR DESIGN & DECOR Design Studio..............................................................(345) 945 4977 Sticks & Stones..................................................................(345) 947 8663

GOLF CLUBS & COURSES Cable Beach ......................................................................(242) 677 4175

KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & CABINETRY Bon Vivant ..........................................................................(345) 623 2665 Pooley Design Studio ........................................................(345) 947 6780 Storage Solutions...............................................................(345) 525 2647 Work of Art Woodworking...................................................(345) 548 5141 MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBLING Andro Group ......................................................................(345) 949 8000 PROPERTY INSURANCE Island Heritage...................................................................(345) 949 7280 REAL ESTATE AGENTS The Ritz-Carlton Resales & Rentals ...................................(345) 326 1278 Cayman Islands Sotheby’s International Realty .................(345) 623 1234 Crighton Properties Ltd ......................................................(345) 949 5250 Dart Realty..........................................................................(345) 943 3278 Dragon Bay Cayman Islands .............................................(345) 815 7777 IRG International Realty Group Ltd.....................................(345) 623 1111 Michael Joseph, RE/MAX Cayman Islands........................(345) 949 6170 Regal Realty.......................................................................(345) 943 0007 SHOPPING & JEWELLERY Island Companies Ltd........................................................(345) 640 5200

BAHAMAS AVIATION & AIRLINES Bahamasair ........................................................................(242) 377 8452 Cat Island Air......................................................................(242) 377 3318

INTERIOR DESIGN & DECOR Downsview Kitchens of Nassau..................................(242) 377 0004 The Nassau Florist .............................................................(242) 393 2223 Paint Supplies & Jolly Rogers ............................................(242) 393 2836 RESIDENCIAL DEVELOPMENTS Bayroc Beach Residences ................................................(242) 327 0112 Lyford Cay..........................................................................(242) 362 4211 Ocean Club Residences and Marina ................................(242) 363 3000 Old Fort Bay .......................................................................(242) 362 6434 The Abaco Club on Winding Bay ......................................(407) 345 6175 The Balmoral......................................................................(242) 454 8528 Cave Heights Development...............................................(242) 327 8867 REAL ESTATE AGENTS Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty...........................(242) 322 2305 H.G. Christie.......................................................................(242) 322 1041 Mario Carey Realty .............................................................(242) 327 8867 Morley Realty......................................................................(242) 394 7070 Ocean Club Real Estate ....................................................(242) 328 7777 RESORTS & SPAS Compass Point ..................................................................(242) 327 4500 Dermal Distributions...........................................................(242) 327 6786 The Marley Resort & Spa ...................................................(242) 702 2800 Wyndham Nassau Resort ..................................................(242) 677 4115

TURKS AND CAICOS AVIATION & AIRLINE Air Provo Centre .................................................................(649) 946 4181

CONTRACTORS Fountainhead Construction................................................(649) 946 4676 Norstar Group ....................................................................(649) 941 3600 Projectech..........................................................................(649) 941 3508 CONDO/RESIDENCIAL DEVELOPMENTS NorthWest Point Resort ......................................................(649) 941 8961 Regent Grand ....................................................................(649) 941 7770 The Estates of Grace Bay Club .........................................(649) 941 3900 The Gansevoort .................................................................(649) 941 7555 The Regent Palms .............................................................(649) 946 8666 The Sands at Grace Bay....................................................(649) 946 5199 The Shore Club..................................................................(649) 232 1067 The Vellagio........................................................................(649) 941 8900 The Veranda.......................................................................(649) 289 4487 Turtle Breeze......................................................................1 866 331 4269 Villa Renaissance ...............................................................(649) 941 5300 DEVELOPMENTS HAB Group ........................................................................(649) 946 5126 Regent Village ....................................................................(649) 941 4400 The Saltmills .......................................................................(649) 946 4238 GOLF CLUBS & COURSES Provo Golf & Country Club.................................................(649) 946 5991 INSURANCE International Insurance Agency Ltd....................................(649) 941 3195 The Insurance Centre ........................................................(649) 941 4814 INTERIOR DESIGN & DECOR Design Studio..............................................................(649) 941 4848 Finishing Touch ...........................................................(649) 941 4393 FRK Belongings .................................................................(649) 941 8055 REAL ESTATE AGENTS Grace Bay Realty ...............................................................(649) 941 4105 Hartling Realty ....................................................................(649) 941 4100 H.G. Christie.......................................................................(649) 231 2110 Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty ...................(649) 946 4474 SURVEYORS, VALUATIONS & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Grace Bay Resorts.............................................................(649) 946 5050 Hartling Group....................................................................(649) 941 3339