Identity of Port of Spain through Architectural Design

Pre-Architectural Designs:

Source: Citizensforconservationtt.org.                                            Photo taken by Jhon Pierre Maxwell

In 1797, Governor Sir Ralph Woodford, a past Governor of Trinidad was concerned with the urban development. He designed a grid pattern of streets divided by several open squares, with a large landscaped promenade called the Marine Square, now known as Independence Square. Trinidad's early nineteenth century Architecture was typical of the Neo-Classical style popular under British colonial rule. The St. James Barracks is an example of this which can be seen in the figure above. Later in the century buildings became more decorative as demonstrated by the architecture of the Red House by Architect Daniel M. Hahn and later Queen's Royal College. After the great fire in Port of Spain of 1895, architect George Brown of Scotland redesigned the main commercial area, including Marine Square and lower Frederick Street, with a distinctive wooden structure, triangle roof top style which included verandas extending over the pavements providing shade and shelter to pedestrians.

Post -Modern –Architectural Designs:

Photo taken by Jhon Pierre Maxwell -   Photo taken from Independence Square - Eric Williams Plaza.

In the twentieth century, the movement of post and modern architectural styles emerged such as the Eric Williams Plaza locally known as the Twin Towers on the Independence Square. It is an icon of the Central Business District (CBD) of Port of Spain. The CBD is focal point of a city. It is the commercial, office, retail, and cultural center of the city and usually is the center point for transportation networks. The twin towers were one of the first twenty-two stories high and started construction in 1979. It was designed by Anthony C. Lewis and is named after the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Sir Eric Williams (GmbH 2016). The building incorporates a cultural and historic aspect by portraying two paintings of the cultural practices of Trinidad and Tobago to the right and the symbolic abstract painting of Trinidad and Tobago is blessed with to the left. The concept of the building is post modern and is constructed with steel and concrete. The purpose of the designs is to reflect a strong cohesion towards our cultural identity and not entirely conforming to foreign architectural concepts but also to revive the diminishing historic archetypes. The CBD with the addition of these historic elements does not isolate itself from the ones who look up at them figuratively and literally. 

Photo taken by Jhon Pierre Maxwell      -Office of the Parliament located in 1A Wrightson Road Port of Spain. 

Another example is the Office of the Parliament located in Port of Spain international waterfront center, 1A Wrightson Road. The architecture design at the ground floor shows the history of Trinidad and Tobago colonization in a two dimensional image. On the right side of the mountain in the image, one can obtain the presence of the Spaniards on their quest of Gold, God and Glory to Trinidad. The mountain in the center of the image shows the division between the indigenous people and the colonizer. Their differences of perception such as society, economy, their environment and culture where one will take imperialistic control. The designer was able to portray both groups’ protection gear and tools.

“In architecture, the term ‘modern’ is used to define the buildings designed by modernist architectural style, which insists to use contemporary thinking to design, rather than using historical items. However, in modern architecture, appearance was not as essential as function during the time between the 1900s and 1950s, and then through ‘postmodern’ buildings, ornamentation and aesthetics have gained importance in architecture” (Salman, et.al). Incorporating this diminishing historical and cultural design into modern infrastructure such as these high rise buildings can change the perception of Caribbean spaces which results in giving an identity to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.  The way in which our cultural and historical background is incorporated to the Central Business District gives to the grassroots population a sense of ownership, right, identity and pride (Rosenberg 2016). The space is not isolated from the public which increases their development of identity where one can inspect and understand the history of Trinidad and Tobago. This dynamic mixture of indigenous history and modern architecture creates post-modern Caribbean space for a common identity to feel as one. Future construction of high rise buildings should consider the importance of the developing this concept whether for residential, commercial and industrial.

References:

Celik, Selman, and Timothy Chapman. 2012. Has Postmodern Architecture Killed Modern Architecture? 1st ed. London: Goldsmith University of London.

GmbH, Emporis. 2016. "Eric Williams Finance Building, Port-Of-Spain | 124680 | EMPORIS". Emporis.com.

MacLean, Geoffrey. 2010. "Introduction to Trinidad And Tobago's Architecture". Citizensforconservationtt.org.

Rosenberg, Matt. 2016. "Why Do Central Business Districts Exist?". About.com Education.