Once you hear the word ‘architecture’ in Jamaica images of iconic buildings like the Rose Hall Great House, a Georgian-style colonial mansion in St James; Good Hope Plantation in Trelawny; and Coke Memorial Methodist Church, at East Parade, downtown Kingston, come to mind.

And while these remain historical buildings across the island, the future of architecture in Jamaica will likely involve a combination of modern, sustainable designs and a continued emphasis on tropical architecture that responds to the local climate. So say industry leaders: Architect at Virtuoso Architect Hugo Matthews, realtor at Valerie Levy & Associates Tanya Sue Brice, and Proven Properties CEO Aisha Campbell, who lent their expertise at the Spaces Jamaica Design Dialogue focusing on The Future of Jamaican Architecture and Design.

The event, hosted by Spaces Jamaica Founder and Creative Director Janelle Pantry-Coke at her Ardenne Emirates showroom, on Friday, October 10, welcomed familiar faces and some new ones to celebrate creativity and innovation. Moderated by Design Week Ja conceptualiser Novia McDonald-Whyte, the conversation buckled down with a question about Jamaica’s design ethos. “Space is at a premium, we have run out of space, and now we’re literally reaching for the sky,” said McDonald-Whyte. “But many may say we’re imitating, not innovating,” she continued. Campbell — a Barbados-born, trained engineer whose career began at West Indies Home Contractors Limited (WIHCON) — disagreed. “The fact that we’re going vertical does not mean we’re imitating. VIA at Braemar and 20 South are examples of spaces that are vertical but tailored for our climate and conditions,” she explained.

Architect Hugo Matthews insisted that what is happening locally in architecture is still distinctively Jamaican. “Jamaica does have a very distinct design style… There is a distinct Caribbean style in a sense, but Jamaica has a certain vibrancy about it, and there is a certain amount of boldness that we have. And a lot of the new architecture that we have going on in Jamaica right now, we’re trying to be as cutting edge as possible,” he said.

McDonald-Whyte steered interest to real estate market trends and buyers’ demands. “What are people asking for? Do they want verandahs?” asked McDonald-Whyte. Realtor Tanya Sue Brice said, “For Kingston, we certainly don’t have that space, so we have to think outside of the box. And, on the heels of COVID pandemic, and everybody being locked up in the houses, everybody is concentrating on the balcony, the rooftop terrace, a little courtyard. And, our clients are pulling more out of us. They ask for sustainability; they want to know that the finishes will last… we are the connection between the developers, the architects, and the clients,” she continued. Brice went on to explain that humidity control is also a must-have, especially in Kingston. She said the managing humidity in high-moisture areas of the home, like kitchens and laundry rooms that may not have windows, is optimum to occupant comfort.

The dialogue also tapped into how collaborations across real estate development and interior design continue to shape the landscape of tomorrow. And in a nod to the future of architecture in Jamaica, Spaces Jamaica Creative Director Janelle Pantry Coke said an important part of her #DesignWeekJa2025 experience was “lifting the next generation of interior designers, architects, and engineers”. To foster this, Pantry-Coke and her team launched ‘Flip That Space’, a competition that saw University of Technology, Jamaica apparel design, production & management students face off with Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts textiles and fibre arts students in a design challenge at the Spaces showroom.

The winners walked away with $75,000 and the runners-up shared $30,000.

Guests were asked to turn their attention to the screens. The video showed the students — three from each school — use items in the showroom to style an industrial space for a 28-year-old male and a contemporary living area for a nuclear family. The completed spaces were posted on the Spaces Jamaica social media platforms, where followers voted. In the end, #TeamUTech emerged the winners, and said they were grateful for the experience. The future of design seems safe in the hands of the next generation.

Realtor Tanya Sue Brice (left) and Spaces Jamaica Founder and Creative Director Janelle Pantry-Coke (right) shared the frame with winners of the Flip That Space challenge, UTech apparel design & production management students (from second left) Tonikay Richards, Sasheka Wedderburn, and Dehjahna Bolt. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts textile student Thalia Fairweather details how, she and her team members designed an industrial space for a 28-year-old male. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

University of Technology, Jamaica apparel design, production & management student Dejahna Bolt presents the design breakdown on behalf of her team (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Janelle Pantry-Coke, founder and creative director of Spaces Jamaica, and Dalton Fowles, country manager – Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados & Eastern Caribbean at Mastercard (Photo: Garfield Robinson)