Christopher Whyms-Stone, president of the Jamaican Institute of Architects (JIA), says demand for architects and their services would be higher if the law regarding their role in construction was upheld.

He is supported by Mark Taylor, head of the Caribbean School of Architecture, University of Technology (UTech), who points out that even though the Architects Registration Act of 19867 stipulates that drawings submitted for construction should be done by architects, the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) and almost all parish councils are still accepting drawings from unregistered professionals.

serious implications

There are some 180 architects registered in Jamaica.

Taylor said the drawings of overseas architects tend to be accepted, especially in the hotel sector.

"There are serious implications. There are climatic differences and cultural factors, which people from overseas are not aware of," Taylor states.

Whyms-Stone and Taylor say the JIA and the Architects Registration Board (ARB) are in discussion with the attorney general in the hope of resolution before the end of this year.

Architectural drawings describe the design and construction of new buildings and the modification of existing structures for the purpose of seeking planning approval.

highly skilled draughtsman

Whyms-Stone, a partner in the Kingston-based firm Corner-stone.design Limited, says many of the draughtsman hired to do drawings by Jamaicans are highly skilled, but the architect is the professional who brings to the construction process the complete knowledge and skills set demanded in the built environment.

Locally, architects are trained by the Caribbean School of Architecture at the UTech, the only one of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean.

"The challenge since the passing of the Architects Registration Act in 1987 is that government - local and central - are not enforcing it."

Whyms-Stone says that before the Architects Registration Act, "a lot of buildings were designed by draughtsman, as in many countries in pre-modern times. This is why I say there is a great demand (for architects now). Any parish council will tell you that hundreds of applications come in."

shaped by non-professionals

He notes, however, that because the councils are not adhering to the law, even students of architecture who are not yet qualified can submit drawings.

"It is absurd," said the JIA president.

"The built environment is being shaped by non-professionals."

Taylor suggests that industries which use foreign architects work in conjunction with local architects.

"They need to go to the ARB to seek to work here. This also goes for engineering."

avia.collinder@gleanerjm.com