DSC student aims to be respected architect

Ashley Blanc
Ashley Blanc

A 19-year-old Salisbury student of the Dominica State College says he sees his victory in the recent Millenia Land Development Co. Ltd (LDC) and Dominica State College (DSC) Design Challenge as an opportunity to achieve his goal of being one of the most respected architects in Dominica.

Ashley Blanc will be awarded with a summer internship at Millenia Land Development Company Ltd, and college tuition for one semester for winning the competition.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with DNO, Blanc said that the competition is a step forward in reaching his goal.

“I saw this challenge as an opportunity for me to achieve my long term goal of being a respected architect in Dominica.  I am willing to become one of the most known architects in Dominica, I want to be as successful as I can in the future, and this competition is a beginning step in the process to that goal,” he said.

Blanc was one of six 1st year architecture students at the DSC who were presented with a project to design an artist studio/residence on a 50 ft x 40 ft piece of land. The project was to include a gallery to display the artist’s work, a workshop including storage, a 2 bedroom residence, restroom, laundry space and mechanical room, among others.

Blanc said he got prepared for the challenge by seeking advice from other architects and did a “lot of researching and brain storming.”

“I have been working hard as an individual,” he said “I have been training with my uncle, Michael Theophile, a leading architect in Dominica … he helped me a lot, gave me advice and before I started college I used to get some technical training at his home and his private office, working and preparing myself for state college, so I was a little advanced… This gave me an edge over the rest of the students.”

He said he is overjoyed and is happy that he can make his family proud.

One of the main organizers of the design challenge, Millinea LDC, said it aimed “to encourage student’s creativity and innovation. Therefore the design did not require technical details or dimensions.”

The challenge took place at the DSC on April 29, 2013.

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30 Comments

  1. Ja Bawi
    June 3, 2013

    congrats ashley. we are so proud of u. keep striving for the best and be one of those who keep bawi alive. doe worry we gettin dere u know. salisbury ahead. :-D :)

  2. Beverly Blanc
    June 1, 2013

    Congratulations to you my son and your teachers at SDA, you have made me a proud mother, well done and keep doing well, I love you, may The Lord guide you and keep you on the right path as I pray for you through out the years, be good my Son.

  3. reoona
    June 1, 2013

    Who was the past calypsonian who sang montegobay?
    its a female. please help

    • jahbone
      June 2, 2013

      diva nyoka…

  4. Anonymous
    June 1, 2013

    Congrats hommie

  5. Anonymous
    June 1, 2013

    way to go for young dominicans!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-D

  6. LawieBawie
    June 1, 2013

    Hard work and perseverence will always see you through. Congrats, and continue to impress us. Bawie anous aye.

  7. sad, sad
    June 1, 2013

    HANDS up for Salisbury. Who are his parents? I am half of Salisbury, but live overseas for years. Keep up the good work, the sky is the limit. We need more constructive, and more positive young men and women in DOMINICA. Please PM and your Cabinet, give these future generation more incentives. Don’t take all for your selves and your family. DOMINICA belongs to all of us.

  8. T.Dot
    June 1, 2013

    Congratulations Ashley!!

  9. great job
    May 31, 2013

    hey Ashley, congrats man. All the best hon

  10. Bawi
    May 31, 2013

    Congrats Ashley

  11. Jude
    May 31, 2013

    Its great that a company thought of that and gave a young man the opportunity to work with them and learn so that he can excel in the future. Thumbs up!

    Most companies look for experience when they have vacancy but where will young people get the experience if no one wants to give it! SMH

  12. cohenval
    May 31, 2013

    I do not know you,Ashley, but congratulations. We need talented architects, especially in the design of energy efficient buildings

  13. Sensible Dominican
    May 31, 2013

    Congratualations young man

  14. sweet
    May 31, 2013

    well Salisbury have smart people papa

  15. Gsay
    May 31, 2013

    I am happy to see positive reports on the action of the youth. Sometime the media reports so much negative as if there is no good in the young people of today. We know that some of them have bad attitudes and display unacceptable behavior, but there are many of them that show great potential. Great work Mr Blanc, keep up that attitude and you will go very far. Just remember that when thing dont work out that it is not the end of your world, but just a stepping stone to the next level.

  16. MsV.
    May 31, 2013

    Congratulations Ashley!!! Keep doing the good stuff.

  17. Anonymous
    May 31, 2013

    Gosh I wish him all the best but I sincerely hope this young man gets the opportunity to study overseas where he will be exposed to a lot more.The very best to you

  18. Nkrumah Kwame
    May 31, 2013

    Youth, ah feel big bout yah!!!

  19. out of south city
    May 31, 2013

    Congratulations brother! Keep reaching for the stars. The sky’s the limit. I admire you. Don’t let anything or anybody get in your way.

  20. ah ha
    May 31, 2013

    great job ashley. keep it up my boy.Salisbury has always produced out standing students

  21. hmmm
    May 31, 2013

    great job! job well done… if it was some story about buggery Dominican would be quick to post how many comments. not one comment under that article….

  22. Hellene
    May 31, 2013

    you go buddy all the best!

  23. van
    May 31, 2013

    Congratulations

  24. true dominican
    May 31, 2013

    Well done Ashley. The Sky is the limit.

  25. Observer
    May 31, 2013

    Congratulations Ashley!!!!. Im so proud. Keep striving my dear

  26. laurel
    May 31, 2013

    congrats my boy. Like to see young ppl prosper. keep pressing on.

  27. I know him
    May 31, 2013

    He went to SDA Secondary in Portsmouth. Good school. Keep up the good work Ashley. I am praying for you.

  28. mervlyn
    May 31, 2013

    :) congratulations man.All the best wishes to you on your journey.

  29. Joyette
    May 31, 2013

    Congratulations young man!

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