Home is?

Sitting on my balcony, watching the sun set over Kingston Harbour with a crisp evening breeze on my face, the scent of night-blooming jasmine and the sound of whistling frogs.

From a design point of view where would you encourage a visiting architect to stay in Jamaica?

Trident in Port Antonio or The S Hotel in Montego Bay for a contemporary tropical style; Jake’s in Treasure Beach for bohemian chic; Strawberry Hill in Irish Town for old world charm; and, soon, one of the planned hotels in downtown Kingston for a truly urban experience.

What are your Kingston secrets?

In general: Set out early, don’t trust Google maps, buy bananas or anthuriums at the stoplight, stop and take photos. Very specific: Head to the waterfront or the mountains to reset your day/week and wander through the National Gallery to revive your creativity – the Kapo collection is my favourite.

As a tourist which do you prefer: bus, taxi or tube? I always go for the most sustainable option — mass transit — so tube, if available; electric taxis if not.

If you could buy any building in Kingston, Jamaica and live there, which would it be?

The 1980s house designed by AG Lowe that we are currently updating to make our home.

What makes someone a Kingstonian?

Expectations of sidewalks and streetlights and the inability to sleep without the sound of their ceiling fan.

What’s your preferred Kingston activity?

Brunch with my family after church on a Sunday is my most favourite thing. Other than that, I love discovering art, creative and food events, as well as live music under the stars.

Who do you call when you want to have fun in Kingston?

My Trinidadian friend Gayle! My husband is my main touring partner these days, but I’m blessed to also have my sisters and best friends from high school around to hang out with as well.

Who’s your design hero?

Richard Picart, my former architecture schoolmate now colleague and friend – one of the key creative minds behind much of the UDC’s work.

What are you up to at the moment for work?

Reviewing people, process, product and performance across the organisation, construction of Closed Harbour Beach Park in Montego Bay, detailed designs for the new Houses of Parliament, feasible assessments, planning and consultations for projects across the island as well as upgrades and multiple public-private partnership options for the development and management of key assets.

The Evan Williams-led team of architects from Design Collaborative (DC) has been declared the overwhelming choice for the state-of-the-art complex to replace Gordon House. What was it about their presentation that secured the nod?

The fact that architect Williams and the DC team won both the jury selection and the people’s choice shows their ability to not only respond to a very complex technical brief but also to understand and reflect the design expectations of the general public – a skill born out of experience and sensitivity.

Is this a signal that local architects will be asked to tender bids for future projects?

The success of the recently concluded design competition augers well for future developments with consideration already being given to using the approach for other key public buildings.