Millenia Architects was awarded the prestigious Caribbean Property Award by the International Property Awards for outstanding architectural design of a public service building: The Layou Resource Center/Emergency Shelter.
Millenia Architects is a Dominica-based company.
An International Property Award is a world-renowned mark of excellence and participation is open to residential and commercial property professionals from around the globe. They celebrate the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real estate industry.
The awards are split into regions covering Africa, Asia Pacific, Arabia, Canada, Caribbean, Central & South America, Europe, UK and USA. Participants enter at their relevant national level and are judged by a highly experienced team of professionals who cover the whole range of property disciplines.
About the Layou Resource Center/Emergency Shelter project
After the damage caused along the Layou River and to property in the community of Layou in 2011 due to the failure of the Matthieu dam, the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica decided to construct an Emergency Shelter which could also serve as a Resource Center. Desirous of engaging a qualified and experienced firm to be responsible for the design and supervision of its construction, the Government engaged Millenia Architects.
The architects envisioned a building that would aesthetically represent a monument in the community and elevate the surroundings. It would be a centerpiece and represent the community’s determination to progress into the future, represent contemporary architecture and thus lead the way in future physical developments within the community. Early on, we knew that a steel frame structure would give the robustness and longevity required when coupled with reinforced concrete and a concrete masonry unit envelope. Although the size of the lot presented restrictions in providing all the functions desired in the original wish list, the architectural design development allowed the inclusion of the key functional spaces by employing a flexible and open interior.
The following design intents were implemented:
– A good South orientation, with an angle of around 20° South-East or South-West offers natural sunlight and breezes inside.
– The roof shape is designed with no extension that aims to minimize wind anchors and reduce the risk of severe hurricane damage.
– The internal spaces are well ventilated.
– Airtight impact windows and efficient doors limit water infiltrations in rainy season and keep the facility dry.
– The windows are positioned in a way that permits cross ventilation. The objective is to increase comfort and limit the risk of moisture.
– Reinforcement of strategic junctions: foundations, walls/ceilings, ceilings, windows, increases the seismic resistance of the building.
-Rain water is harvested from the roof and feeds a storage cistern below ground via downpipes. The cistern has a capacity of 20,000 gal.
-The electrical installation accommodates for installation of Solar Power generation as well as diesel generator standby power.
See the completed structure:
ervice architecture
About Millenia Architects
Millenia Architects has been providing customized architectural solutions to mid-sized businesses; owners of large residential properties; non-governmental agencies and the public sector since 2008. We assist clients to assess, conceptualize, develop, and implement their ideas to effectively achieve their desired outcome: cost-saving, improved functionality, unique aesthetics, increased revenue, etc.
Our services include Architectural Design, Land Planning, Interior Design and Construction Project Monitoring. We are part of the Millenia Group of Companies, a one-stop-shop for construction-related services such as engineering, cost estimation, structural analysis, valuation, and real estate sales. Our clients find exceptional value in being able to work with one team from concept to completion of their projects.
The presence of a wide range of expertise on our multi-disciplinary team allows us to execute projects that are structurally sound, functional, and aesthetically appealing within time and budget. We have successfully completed several projects in Dominica and St. Vincent. Furthermore, we have strategic alliances with local, regional and international firms to source additional expertise and wider perspectives.
Find the listing of the award on the International Property Awards website at this link: https://propertyawards.net/region/americas/?fwp_winner_year=2020-winners&fwp_winner_search=Dominica.
Congrats to Millenial Architects
For a Place Like Dominica dem windows too small wi!!!
How comes a place that soo hot and humid them architects always have them houses with small small windows restricting the flow of the natural breeze!!!
Allyou cannot see the colonial Architect had it right when all the structures built around the colonial era were designed with that in mind,,,
Allyou need to go back to the drawing boards and comprehend sustainable living, with comfortable living space and unity with Nature!!!
After all, what is it if one cannot experience Nature in living spaces, in that territory classified as the Nature island!!!
Likewise, the vernacular architecture of your forefathers met most of the design intents cited by Millenia Architects. Furthermore, it identified by way of materials and the creative eye of the craftsman with locality.
Love the design. Nice building.
Yes nice building. But also the color scheme works with the design.
In Dominica we sometime tend to go crazy with colors with no rhyme or reason. And that can kill any architecture no matter how good.
Where is Millenia Architects domiciled?
The second paragraph of the article states that the company is domiciled in Dominica.
Maybe you should have read the article.
It said in big bold print it’s a Dominica base company thank you.