Established in 1969, Roger Downing & Partner Company, Limited have a full complement of “in-house” design professionals. Rather than the number of publications they have been mentioned in, they are more proud of the 30 or more year long relationships they enjoy with clients. With a plethora of skills ranging from the architect and engineer to the interior designer, RDP maintain a strong environmental conscience.

As I sit with Thor Downing, we open a dialogue on the styles of the BVI, and I question him on his firm’s particular style of building. Their base philosophy stems generally from an organic approach to design, starting with a very careful treatment and respect for the site and environmental considerations. In his opinion, there are too many cases of transplanted styles, such as Asian and Mediterranean, and what is lost is the Caribbean regional identity and the chance to truly start developing a BVI style. This he sees as a challenge to all designers and clients here.

The term vernacular style is defined as the ordinary or common building style of a region, the “grass roots” identity that stems from the culture of the area. This is an evolving, dynamic aspect of a country and speaks volumes about the story of a place and the culture. Research of ancient and historical buildings can be looked at for inspiration and ideas when developing a style or movement in architecture. For example, the simplicity of the Arawak Huts can tell us a great deal about that culture. The cylindrical design is a very efficient shape in regards to both structural integrity and use of materials. The traditional Caribbean design uses simple, open-plan rooms with openings on both sides and porch roofs for maximizing ventilation. These styles are based normally on the basic environmental issues of the particular region. Ecological design, which is a globally recognized necessity, shall also return to these ancient principles, thus the circle starts again.

When asked about the design process, Thor insists that one of the most critical factors is the concept. After having listened carefully to the client’s desires and advising them, it is then essential to have all the key members’ input at this stage. The concept provides the platform for the most efficient process. RDP also believe that artisans need to play a greater role in the design and construction process. There is a huge amount of talent being neglected on these islands, talent that can become an essential part of producing an exportable commodity and hopefully reinvent the vernacular style of the region.

As to the future outlook on the property market of the BVI, RDP are always positive, even in these uncertain times. Designs shall most certainly benefit by becoming far more ecologically considerate and less demanding on the energy and resources. They are looking forward to the next 40 years of the BVI’s evolution.