Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects

Work of Renowned Local Architect John Gillespie on show

  • architectsadmin
  • October 22, 2023
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For World Architecture Day on October 2, Castle Killarney (Stollmeyer’s Castle) showcased a retrospective exhibition of the work of Trinidadian architect John Gillespie, 97. The exhibition, Out of the Shadow—Critical Regionalism in Architecture (1957 to 2019), was curated by Renate Allum, a registered architect and honorary treasurer of the Trinidad and Tobago Institute or Architects CET’IA) that champions the art and science of architecture locally. The exhibition is open for viewings at Castle Killarney until November Gillespie, who practised architectum in TKT from 1957 until his retirement in 2019 at age 94, has been hailed by many for being both a mentor and inspiration for local architects.

In 2014, he received the Hummingbird Medal (Silver) for his devotion to T&T’s architectural landscape, having built approximately 200 buildings across the Anglophone Caribbean, including Guyana. Some of the architect’s notable full architectural and interior designs include the Ministry of Education Olis first tower block), the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business-Extension. and the RBC Royal Bank Retail Branches. According to Gillespie, via a video message prepared for attendees on the opening night, the title of the show, Out of the Shadow, speaks to the country’s “release from a long period of colonialism and the new opportunity (Trinidadians) have been given to evolve an architecture of their own making. Neither a pseudo-American version nor a Chinese version. but one that reflects (the country’s own particular mission”. Gillespie was in the comfort of his Maraval home, where he spoke plainly of the disconnect between present-day architects and the current Government.

Painters and architects, few in number, they were very enthusiastic and also had contact with the Government of the day, which was also important, but which we’ve now lost. We don’t seem to have a good relationship with the present political set-up. The politicians are not particularly oriented to architecture-they’ve never been,” he said. Another issue raised by the architect was the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), which he found objectionable to country’s landscape. “That thing was designed in China by Chinese who presumably had never come to Trinidad. So, it’s a building totally foreign to Trinidad. If you approach it from downtown upwards, it’s this metal sheeting. the back of this shape they produced. It’s totally out of scale; there’s a scale of building in Trinidad and there’s a scale of nature in Trinidad-there should be a relationship between the two” the 97 year old argued.

The exhibition which displays mostly corporate offices, “seeks to promote a greater appreciation of architecture”, according to Allum, who was praised by Gillespie for her efforts in planning and executing the exhibition. She highlights the importance of Gillespie’s buildings having been built post-independence. integrating aspects of Trinidad’s climate and culture “Firstly, (Gillespie’s architecture) began at a time when everyone was focused on building a nation early 1960s. They are buildings that integrate our specific climate with our unique culture she said. When it comes to experiencing the design of a building, whether it be its facade or interior, Allum believes a person enters a state of mind when a building or space “moves” them.

“In my experience you know that a building or space has moved someone when they get quiet then you can see that they are in awe, they are thinking they have been moved and are having a new experience, they are taking it all in,” she said. One of the attendees taking in the exhibition on the opening night was YouTuberr and junior architect Liselle Maitland, who works at the Synthesis Group Ltd and has her own channel (Niza Architecture) that educates viewers on architectural principles. Fixated on the displays, Maitland was grateful for Gillespie’s attention to the context and culture of Trinidadians. “The architect has really considered the context and the culture of the people. I see intelligent design”.