SHAPE praises new Lagon look

The building now being constructed in Lagon
The building now being constructed in Lagon

An organization, which is concerned about the loss of Dominica’s architectural heritage, has given thumbs up to the construction of the new Burton and Co Ltd building in Lagon, saying it brings a new look to the center of Roseau.

The group said the capital has always been appreciated by visitors as a quaint and charming Caribbean town, but sadly, with modern construction in recent years, the rich cultural heritage is rapidly being lost.

According to SHAPE, the modern replacements are described by many as “tasteless concrete monstrosities”.

However, one new construction project is recently standing out as an exception to that observation: – the new Burton & Co. Ltd Building.

SHAPE applauds this company for bringing an island flavor to its new construction in Lagon and providing that area of Roseau with a much needed facelift, the group said.

Lagon was well known as an avenue of rum shops and local street characters. SHAPE concedes that this is no more,  but says the family owned and operated business has brought a new look to the center of the city.

The Burton & CO Ltd building has many persons feeling a sense of pride for their city, and fills us with potential of what could be if we had stricter planning controls. It has brought the Beauty of the Past to embellish Today’s modern construction. The beautiful three-storey, blue and white building is testament that we can build, using modern materials that highlight our Vernacular Architecture, according to SHAPE.

burtonsThe group said the new building incorporates several features of Dominica’s architectural history, including:-

Veradahs that offer sun and rain protection for its pedestrians at the same time providing shade and cooling breezes for the building itself. Verandas have been the architectural feature that has created that rich interaction between reveler and onlooker at Carnival time.

Shutters provide protection from the numerous tropical cyclones that affect the island. It also doubles as a security feature.

Jalousie windows that are not only decorative but improve air circulation and ventilation for the interiors of the building

Color selection, which not only reflects the blue Caribbean Sea and sky, but brands the building as Burton & Co.

The building was designed by Robert Butler of Robler Designs. He is an Architect with Dominican roots based in the Bahamas. When asked of his inspiration for the new building, he responded, “INSPIRATION WAS ALL AROUND ME IN THE HISTORICAL BUILDINGS OF ROSEAU. I spent a day walking through the city, snapping photos of historical architectural features which interested me. I wanted this building to be true to the Dominican heritage, but to include the modern practicalities needed for a commercial building, and luckily, the client agreed with this vision.”

SHAPE also recognizes other property developers like Blomqvist and Williams, La Falaise Laboratory and Perky’s Pizza for new construction that celebrates the elements of traditional architecture in a contemporary setting. The DDA and Harris Paints have lent their support and have to be applauded for the painting of the Ti Kai’ s houses in Roseau. They have indeed put a new face on our old charms!

SHAPE wishes to encourage owners of properties to take heed from this example. Our building Heritage is an important aspect of developing our tourism product. It gives us an Island identity and aids in further promoting DOMINICA as a beautiful destination.

The vision of SHAPE that was established in September 1997 by a group of citizens concerned with the loss of our built heritage is to spread the message about the value of traditional architecture and why it needs to be preserved.

 

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25 Comments

  1. Mark F
    December 12, 2013

    I was quite impressed with the article written by SHAPE relating to a recently completed building in Lagon Roseau.
    However after reading the article in detail I am a lot less impressed by it’s biased contents.
    Even more so after having discovered that SHAPE is comprised of architects and other artists.
    As a result I think it is important to share a few observations.
    Architecture is an art form and it’s appreciation like any other art form is relative, it is thus fair for art forms to be liked or disliked but it does not mean that one form is better or more suitable than another. It is a question of personal choice and taste.
    Thus, influencing public opinion through personal choice is not very democratic far less artistic. It certainly is surprising that persons of an artistic background can have such à selective vision on architecture and the development of cities.
    Unfortunately for these persons the reality is that nowhere in the world have cities found themselves stuck in time as intelligent city planners have always allowed for balanced development not by making the copying of existing buildings the only solution, but by creating areas, zones, districts, etc with specific regulations that allow for creativity, diversity and the cohabitation of different art forms.
    We must be careful as professionals to not let our personal opinions and interests influence the way in which we educate others.
    I encourage persons to appreciate this building but to also take the time to opening their minds and in so doing to also look at the following buildings ( chosen at random):
    Teachers Training College
    Roosevelt Douglas Primary School
    Secret Bay
    the future St. Cyr Community Center…
    among others
    And then look up on the works of the following architects:
    Sir Norman Foster
    Renzo Piano
    Richard Meier
    Frank Gehry
    (all over 60 years old)
    Le Corbusier
    Names of the présent génération architects shall be provided in the next chapter

    End of the introduction

  2. Family Guy
    December 12, 2013

    this is why young Architects like myself refuses to join Shape. the backward thinking of these individuals makes it difficult for young aspiring architects to showcase their skills. left to shape every single building in Dominica would look like that. people lets get real this is 2013. there are more creative ways to bring forth a modern building and still pay homage to “our Architectural Heritage” which by the way has never been defined. such buildings lack creativity. it is simply an over sized house. Architecture is dynamic it is not stagnant, it is forever evolving, new material, new forms, new ways of expression. i would like to invite the members of shape to travel the world, get a computer,log onto the world wide web and familiarize themselves with the new movement.

  3. Annica Alethea
    December 11, 2013

    Wait a minute! None of our architects on island could design that building?
    To incorporate these traditional architectural features in a building the Owner had to go out of state?
    Whoa! This story by SHAPE says a lot.
    Dominica’s architects should take a good look at themselves, no wonder the Chinese are designing all government buildings and now the private sector is going out of state.
    But if government employed draftsmen are the ones doing all architectural jobs on the island how can local architects prove themselves?
    Government paid architects are like a rubber stamp to Chinese projects. What a shame!

  4. slim
    December 10, 2013

    I guess the big shut names will continue to dominate, generation after generation. Thank God for America you don’t have to have surname to make decision. You know what you know and you get pushed forward.

  5. Francisco Telemaque
    December 10, 2013

    Amazing, amazing, there is an organization in Dominica which seems to be very happy and proud of the heap of junk we see in the picture, how on earth can people in their right mind be proud, and happy about garbage like that?

    “The capital has always been appreciated by visitors as a quaint charming Caribbean Town.”

    Reading such nonsense makes me worry about the thinking process of such people: which visitor gave the writer, author that impression? If that was the case our island would be the biggest attraction in the Caribbean, we would have more foreigners craving to become residence to our country, however we see the oposit.

    Roseau is one, if not the most disgusting place in the Caribbean to visit, it repels visitors; the sooner we realize that and the quicker we do something about our nation architecture the greater the sore eye will become.

    When one speaks of “quaint” we are talking about some highly, skillful design; marked by beauty, and elegance. Such does not exists in Roseau.

    They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, personally I did not see any “quaint” in Roseau when I walked the streets of Roseau prior to my fourteenth birth day, neither when I returned taking my children to visit my birth country when I became a man!

    I have returned countless times, only to see all the same dilapidated shacks all over Roseau, and even the new buildings many have the same appearance as the pile of junk presented in the picture. Now I am aware that there are now modern architects building modern buildings all over the island, however, this thing in the picture is not a modern building.

    That is nothing more than a giant square pile of concrete blocks supported by some galvanized pipe, so I do not see how anyone can talk about “Dominica Architectural heritage.” To talk about that pile of rubbish as part of our heritage is absolutely insulting to all of us Dominicans, for that type of backwardness is not something transmitted by, nor acquired from any predecessor, that is not our legacy inherited by tradition.

    Such are the work of people who has no vision, no taste nor class; if it is to their liking so be it nonetheless, don’t impress on the rest of us we should like and appreciate something out of the thirteenth century!

    Piece of rubbish: the builder should be locked away and the key thrown into the ocean.

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahaha!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  6. Alex8
    December 10, 2013

    In 2013 a building without any style de architectural style is old for a new building and most of all there is no parking space under de building we all no how Roseau is common. but with all that we should put de blame on planning division.

    • Anonymous
      December 11, 2013

      Did you want to see another impractical parking solution like the bone imposed on the Roseau Credit Union?

      • Hmmm
        December 11, 2013

        Maybe more like the government headquarters? Something really needs to be done about parking in Roseau.

  7. Roger Burnett
    December 10, 2013

    At last, an architect and client with an understanding and respect for Roseau’s rich architectural heritage.

    The individuality of places reflects the individuality of ourselves.

  8. Anonymous
    December 10, 2013

    Very nice. Looking forward to the new shopping experience.

  9. ?????????
    December 10, 2013

    U mean to tell me dat old fashion new building dey talking bout nuh…

    • Justice and Truth
      December 10, 2013

      What old fashioned building? Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. What you call old- fashioned is admired by many. Are you aware that those buildings are more spacious than the newer ones?
      I will inform you further, no exception in Canada. The complaint is that the newer buildings are less spacious and airy.
      The new buildings may appear modern but some of them are like boxes inside; not referring to those in Dominica.
      Be grateful and happy that this building is restored. It looks beautiful to me and no doubt spacious inside.

  10. A reasonable human
    December 10, 2013

    To Mr Trevor Burton
    Thanks you done your parents proud

    • Enlightened Woman
      December 10, 2013

      He didn’t do it without the help of his very capable wife. Get real!!!

      • Hmmm
        December 11, 2013

        You meant to include his dedicated employees?

  11. real possie
    December 10, 2013

    Dam dno one line I write u moderating still just as the what the pm had to say about Charles.

  12. Anonymous
    December 10, 2013

    Great job Robert. Just that I feel the density of the verandah appears to be a bit off probably because of the material used. The same applies to the JAYs building across the street. A little more density might make it look more traditional.

  13. Malgraysa
    December 10, 2013

    Agree with that. Instead of a plain square box they really put their heart into this quality building, which reflects our Caribbean culture at its best. Congratulations and thank you to the Burtons.

  14. real possie
    December 10, 2013

    Boy thing really bad in DA nothing not going on things hard lol where them those u know who.

  15. grell
    December 10, 2013

    Great job SHAPE,on my recent visit home, i saw the construction ongoing and was very delighted,we do need to preserve our culture,our great grandparents worked hard on the structures,lets keep on preserving them.

  16. Moi
    December 10, 2013

    Good to hear that SHAPE still exists. I tried for many months to contact SHAPE, before I rebuilt my property in Roseau, and could never get any contact info for this group. Does Shape have an office or a contact number, or who can be contacted? I know I speak for myself when I say that I am very much in favor of preserving the architectural heritage in Roseau, and many more owners of property in Roseau may have similar sentiments. SHAPE, please provide some contact information. You are a worthwhile group and I, and maybe others, would like to be able to get in touch with you. Keep on doing what you all are doing.

  17. grandma in Christ
    December 10, 2013

    yes I

  18. Pundit
    December 10, 2013

    Who are the members of SHAPE???

    • Jacks
      December 10, 2013

      Some of the founding members of SHAPE. JOIN US!
      Juliette Shillingford. 767-275-5337
      Jacqueline Dupigny 767-616-2069
      Carla Armour 767-245-4166
      Elise Johnstone. 767-315-0915

      • Malgraysa
        December 10, 2013

        You see, all women! They make things happen. Men talk to o much….and I’m one of them!

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