Against the backdrop of the ongoing process of recovery and restoration on the island in the wake of last October’s devastating Hurricane Melissa, the theme of design as a catalyst for renewal took centre stage at the S Hotel in Kingston on Sunday, October 4 for the launch of the #JamaicaObserverDesignWeekJA 2026, powered by Tile City & Home Centre and Kohler. Celebrating its ninth year, the event remains dedicated to its mission of elevating the profile of Jamaica’s home and décor landscape.

Continuing the momentum of last year’s theme ‘Creative Resilience’, this year’s launch centred on ‘Restoration and Resilience’, bringing together industry experts to examine how design can transform spaces and address pressing modern challenges — an imperative rendered even more vital in the wake of the hurricane.

“We are living through a global shift in weather patterns, technology, in economics, and in culture. And it’s moving faster than most of us have ever experienced. How we respond is what really matters. And the answer is really to arm ourselves with choices, because options are evolving as quickly as the circumstances themselves. So, gatherings like this turn data into actionable steps,” Jamaica Observer Media Group Managing Director Dominic Beaubrun said in his opening remarks.

Sharing insights and practical solutions were this year’s panellists: National Housing Trust (NHT) Assistant General Manager of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Dwayne Berbick; HomeMaid Jamaica principal Nastassia Morrison; If Walls Could Talk principal Joelle Smith; Only Villas proprietor Marsha Parchment; Indigo House co-founder Michelle Arroyave; and Lindsay Law Chambers Managing Partner Annaliesa Lindsay.

Dwayne Berbick Topic: A Resilient Rebuild

Ahead of the presentations, Tile City and Home Centre Marketing Manager Donnielle Robe expressed gratitude for the company’s role as title sponsor, reaffirming its commitment to shaping the conversation around building durable homes for the future.

“As Jamaica continues to rebuild, renovate, and reimagine, and create, we have the opportunity to not simply rebuild what was there before, but to think about what comes next, creating spaces that work for the way we live today and the homes that our grandchildren will be proud to call home,” Robe said.

Opening the presentations with ‘A Resilient Rebuild’, Berbick examined the swift measures taken by the National Housing Trust in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. However, while acknowledging the necessity of these recovery efforts, Berbick emphasised that resilience must be designed into home building from the outset, rather than treated as a knee-jerk reaction. “Think about why we build. We build for the climate, we build for time in and of itself, because houses become part of history and the design that you see in a particular era tells a story about the location at that particular time, and of course, build for generations. We have one planet, and therefore what we are leaving behind for the next generation must be something resilient and must be something that can endure,” Berbick said.

Morrison expanded on the theme ‘Designing Within Reach’, stressing that long-term building maintenance must be considered from the initial design phase. She highlighted several essential queries to guide the process: Can the site be easily accessed by all? Can maintenance teams reach every area safely? Can the building be cared for efficiently from the start? And crucially, will it maintain its functionality and intended aesthetic standard years after opening?

Nastassia Morrison Topic: Design Within Reach

“The best buildings are not only designed to be admired, but they are designed to be cared for. And perhaps that is what ‘Design Within Reach’ should ultimately mean,” Morrison said.

Smith was next to take the stage, presenting on ‘Defining the Jamaican Language of Interiors’. During the presentation, she outlined that technological advancements do not need to overshadow or dictate Jamaica’s unique design identity.

“We as industry leaders can find ways to incorporate the Jamaican vernacular into our design. And sometimes it can be as simple as adding a few solid wood pieces, local art, infusing tropical hues, repurposing an old breakfront or heirloom instead of dismissing it as not trendy, or utilising materials like limestone,” Morrison said.

The second half of the panel discussions opened with Parchment presenting on ‘Designing for Future Storms’. Tracing the journey of the construction of Only Vilas in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, and detailing the structural adaptations made following Hurricanes Beryl and Melissa, she emphasised a core takeaway: Remaining flexible and knowing when an original plan no longer serves its purpose.

Marsha Parchment Topic: Designing For Future Storms

“Hurricanes Beryl and Melissa taught me that, at times, plans have to change. Nothing is written in stone, and sometimes shifting gears is the best course of action. Because resilience isn’t simply about surviving — it’s about reducing loss, it’s about recovery, it’s about adaptability, and sometimes it’s about having the humility to admit that the original plan no longer makes sense,” Parchment expressed.

Continuing the discussion on sustainable design, Arroyave shared insights on ‘Restoring with Tiles’, spotlighting Indigo House’s use of cement tiles. She noted that the longevity of cement tiles proves a crucial point: amidst the ongoing push for new sustainable alternatives, the most viable solutions may be ones that are already in use.

“As designers, architects, and property owners, we’re increasingly having conversations about sustainability, about choosing materials that last, reducing unnecessary waste, and designing spaces that can evolve over time. Sometimes the most sustainable material is simply the one that is already there, and sometimes resilience isn’t about a material remaining perfect. It’s about its ability to age, to be repaired, restored, and continue to have value,” Arroyave said.

Ahead of the final presentation, Design Week Ja conceptualiser Novia McDonald-Whyte recognised Isiaa Madden, chief architect of The Pinnacle, for the project’s historic win as the first Jamaican development honoured at the Americas Property Awards — securing four 20262027 awards in Hotel Architecture, Mixed Use Architecture, Mixed Use Development, and Residential High-Rise Architecture.

Concluding the session with her presentation ‘The Fight for Land’, Lindsay highlighted the legal vulnerabilities surrounding adverse possession in Jamaica. Explaining that under the Limitation of Actions Act, an unauthorised occupant can acquire title to a property after maintaining continuous possession for the 12-year statutory period. While maintaining that the core spirit of adverse possession must be preserved, she emphasised that registered landowners deserve better legal protections — specifically through revised statutory timelines and stricter notification requirements.

“We have to reform the laws in terms of the time. We must stop rewarding people who are fraudulent in their applications for adverse possession and we have to be able to find another way to inform, notify and protect properly registered owners of land,” Lindsay said.

The evening concluded with a spirited question-and-answer session alongside spot prize giveaways, wrapping up an informative launch that set an inspiring tone for the week’s events. Jamaica Observer Design Week 2026 is sponsored by Tile City & Home Centre and Kohler, Hardware and Lumber, National Housing Trust, ARC Manufacturing Limited, Ashley Furniture Homestore, Spaces, S Hotel, Harbour Wines and Spirits, Angelie Spencer Home, Caledonia Outdoor Advertising Company, Berger Paints and Matahari Furniture. The next conversation, courtesy of Berger Paints Jamaica Limited, takes place this evening at the Rogers Commercial Centre.