Renate Allum (Registered Architect/Curator), John Gillespie, Niko Brewster (TTIA student member).
The Trinidad & Tobago Institute of Architects (TTIA) is a non-profit organization that promotes the ethical practice, art and science of architecture in Trinidad & Tobago.
The TTIA is pleased to present a retrospective exhibition of the work of John Gillespie (practicing as Gillespie + Partners) who were in practice in the immediate pre and post Independence era, covering a significant transition period ‘The first 50 years of Independence’.
Gillespie has been in practice in Trinidad for a period of sixty two years from 1957 only retiring in 2019 aged 94.
While to retain focus, this virtual exhibition of his work is confined to the work in Trinidad & Tobago, the Gillespie Practice also operated throughout the English speaking islands of the Caribbean and in Guyana, to complete a total body of work of +/- two hundred buildings.
The exhibition importantly shows the consistent development of a specific climate based design philosophy that marries functionality with poetic imagination, as expressed in an appropriate science based technology.
Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business.
Photograph by Marlon Rouse.
The TTIA wishes to acknowledge the contribution of John Gillespie to the built environment of our country and also to thank him for granting access to his manuscript on Caribbean Architectural Expression.
We also wish to thank:
In the words of Mr. Gillespie “Architecture is a complex art that requires contributions from many players. In the context of the works on display, I wish to acknowledge the significance design contributions of architects Colvin Chen, Robert Douglas (deceased), Nalini Keshavan, Dion Wilson, Stephen Jameson, Sharen Bidaisee and Lloyd de Suze. In addition I wish to acknowledge the engineering contributions of the structural engineers CEP Ltd and KS&P, mechanical/electrical Engineers ENCO, facade engineers ARUP (UK), cost consultants Ellis & Associates and the IT Mcleod Partnership. We also wish to acknowledge the significant contributions of the specialist sub-contractors Precast Concrete Services (cladding and paving works) and Casfab Ltd, (metalwork) and the many contractors and craftsmen who helped to execute these projects over the years.”
