“Architecture is nothing if it does not contain the seeds of a better future. Whatever its relationship to the past or present, its prime duty is to look forward, to construct new relationships between what exists and what can come into being.”

Cindy O’Hara, RAIC, LEED AP:

Together with my board members, we at ICIA plan to address Cayman Islands concerns, as well as promote the architectural profession and the value it brings to the Cayman Islands.

The Strategy Committee has the opportunity to learn from all the Government bodies, developers and the public and particularly the workshops planned to be held in the near future.

This Committee will also take account of the results of the questionnaire which will be instigated very soon, which I hope everyone will complete.

All this will guide the Institute to develop its strategy, which is to be finalised and approved later this year.

Several months ago, I was struck how the following five principles echoed so much of what we as an institute would like to adopt and achieve:

1. UNITY AND SUPPORT

We expect to encourage cooperation between all members, to develop a more collegiate approach and increase our advocacy of good architecture and how it matters to everyone.

2. COLLABORATION & TRANSPARENCY

We look to promote greater communication from the Institute, representing our profession with Government bodies. We intend to lead these collaborative and fact finding meetings with Government, developers and the public so that all members can feel more involved and able to take part, sharing information and ideas for the future of the Cayman Islands.

3. EXCELLENCE, LEARNING & DIVERSTIY

We already promote architectural excellence through our own private practices and awards, but could do more, so as a collective of learned Architects, we must address the barriers in architectural education and promote different paths to the profession, in order to increase diversity and equality.

4. LOCALISM WITH INTERNATIONALISM

We are a Local Institute, connected to many professional bodies and other Architectural bodies around the Caribbean and every Island has a different dynamic. We plan to develop and engage to develop and share our international contacts and learn from links abroad.

5. GOVERNANCE & BEST PRACTICES

We should expect to operate and manage the Institute in an open and democratic manner, supporting our members, the public and all their interests in a transparent and accountable way.

(ref: RIAS – president’s remarks 2018)

There are many other things that I would like to address, but for now I believe these are achievable. I look forward to meeting you all over the next few months and will do my best to answer your concerns.

I am ambitious for the Institute, and for the quality of architecture in the Cayman Islands, and know that others are equally hopeful, and I look forward to sharing the way forward.

ICIA
MANIFESTO

A FEW WORDS FROM
THE CHAIRMAN

PRINCIPLES OF CONDUCT

VISIONARIES,
HISTORIANS
AND SAILORS

A HISTORY
OF THE ICIA

From the early 1970’s the growth of the Cayman Islands financial services industry began to draw worldwide exposure and significant investor attractiveness to the region. With the Development Plan of 1977 the country’s infrastructure and construction industry were growing to meet this new modern and sophisticated demand. 

In these early days most of the architectural work was undertaken by foreign architects, some drawn to these islands by these new exciting opportunities and made the Cayman Islands their permanent home. Caribbean regional firms including Onions Bouchard and McCulloch (OBM), Chalmers Gibbs Martin Joseph (CGMJ) set up offices on Grand Cayman.   

In the early 1980s OBM and CGMJ were represented at high school careers events and took steps to encourage and employ young Caymanians in Architecture. Many students of architecture at school in the USA were sponsored by OBM and CGMJ. Concurrently the Cayman Society of Architects, Surveyors and Engineers (CASE) was established, led by Bill Bissell, Conrad Rutkowski, Jerry Sibley, John Doak and Gordon McLaughlin in the early formative years. Most of today’s Caymanian architects began their careers during the 80s and 90s and returned to Cayman having fully qualified in the profession of architecture. Those early pioneers include Burns Conolly, Lyle Frederick, Danny Owen, Sean Evans, Cindy O’Hara who now run their own practices or are leaders in the profession of Architecture. 

 In those formative times, the requirement for registration of architects was tabled by a small group of architects lead by Mr. William “Bill” Bissell and Arek Joseph and later championed by the first young Caymanian to return from accredited international architectural studies Mr.  Burns Conolly who lead the Registration Act Committee and liaised with the government regarding a Law which at the time was suggested to be fashioned similar to Bermuda legislation but tailored for the Cayman Islands. 

PROFESSIONAL
AFFILIATED BODIES

International professional organisations that recognise ICIA