The Sixth Annual E.O. LeBlanc Memorial Lecture will focus on the techniques and designs of traditional Caribbean architecture and the role that a potential incorporation of these methods can have on Dominica’s efforts to “build back better.”
The lecture is being hosted by University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Dominica and the Cultural Division on Thursday, October 4, 2018 commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the UWI Auditorium.
This event is free and open to the public.
Dr. Lennox Honychurch, Historian, will present on the topic: “Resilience and Traditional Architecture.”
Dr. Honychurch’s presentation will focus the lessons we can learn from our rich tradition and culture over the centuries, particularly in the design of housing structures. He will examine the various weather resilient and aesthetically pleasing details used by our forefathers that could possibly protect our properties in future calamities brought about by climate change.
The E.O. LeBlanc Memorial Lecture public lecture series forms part of the National Independence Calendar and focuses on cultural themes as a celebration of the life and work of Edward Oliver Le Blanc, Dominica’s first Premier. He was devoted to culture and was an avid reader and poet.
This is Honychurch’s second presentation in the Series, as he presented on the topic: “Edward Oliver Le Blanc and the Creation of Nationalist History” in 2013.
Other previous presenters of this lecture series were Dr. Alwin Bully, Dr. Irving André, Professor Hazel Simmons-McDonald and Mr. Vladimir Lucien.
Resilience in architecture when the professionals responsible for the industry are almost nonexistent, where is the regulatory bodies for one the board of architects which the minister refuses to institute but Lennox honeychurch a historian and or archaeologist speaks on a field outside of his professional training, where are the architects and engineers, let them speak they’re the ones trained for this.
Dr. Honychurch, I would like to see a booklet authored by you on this topic..
I think the question of Resilient Architecture, is a subject which should be lead by a Professional in the field of Architecture or a Panel including Professional Architect and Historian.
This would give listeners the opportunity to have qualified professional technical evaluation of architectural, engineering, location, and other features which may account for the seeming “resilience” of some historical pieces which seemed to have weathered the storm.
Norris Prevost
Norris there is no such thing as Reliance Architecture!
There is no such method or technology used even in a modern place as the United States or any other place on earth. As Roosevelt said Dominica will be the first resilient nation on earth!
I do not care where the word originates, it implies one thing “something which bends and return to its original shape” without damage.
Since there is nothing on this planet which is resilient to the elements; all one can hope for is that Architecturally, Building Engineers can only use mathematics (trigonometry) to design stronger structures. We know that a building can be designed to withstand winds to certain magnitude.
A building can be designed to withstand five hundred mile per hour wind; but a six hundred mile per hour may blow it away period!
We know for instance Sky Scrapers foundations are built on water; during an earthquake, the buildings sways with the motion however; not crumbling nor succumb to…
I think the question of Resilient Architecture, is a subject which should be lead by a Professional in the field of Architecture or a Panel including Professional Architect and Historian.
This would give listeners the opportunity to have qualified professional technical evaluation of architectural, engineering, location, and other features which may account for the seeming “resilience” of some historical pieces which seemed to have weathered the storm.
Yea . What about our first Chief Minister and our first Prime Minister and the lady who started the first political party in Dominica. What about J B Charles , and Robert Douglas. That’s what happens when so called historian focus on party politics.
What about people who were against the dread act until their parents became victims of dread activity.
I think this is a worthy topic, we have forgotten the local architecture hat was designed for hurricanes and storms with high pitched rooms/shutters etc. Very timely lecture.