ST GEORGE'S - The Agency for Reconstruction and Development Inc. (ARD) is embarking on a major thrust to accelerate initiatives for the restoration of public buildings. The Commonwealth Secretariat is providing an Architect Consultant for the ARD to strengthen coordinating responsibilities for public buildings and ensure the works are in keeping with the Grenada Building Code. Chartered Architect and Historic Buildings Consultant Dr. Trevor Holmes joined the ARD on October 1, 2005 for a period of two years. Two of his first assignments include drawings for an expansion to the Obstetrics Ward of the General Hospital in St. George and a Community Tourism Component for the Soubise Housing Project in St. Andrew. Dr. Holmes will also coordinate submissions by local architects for the design of apartment buildings for the Housing Authority of Grenada. In November, 2004, through the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation, Dr. Holmes spent three weeks in Grenada conducting an assessment of several buildings damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Ivan. These included public buildings, churches and historic forts. He worked with a local committee comprised of representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, Tourism, Works and Finance, the Board of Tourism and the Willie Redhead Foundation. Dr. Holmes’ assignment with the ARD will follow up on some of the findings from the November visit and include the following: · Manage assigned building projects for the restoration and reconstruction of schools and historic buildings; · Advise on and monitor financial control measures on projects, in collaboration with ARD Departments; · Participate in the review of major development proposals; · Inspect work sites under construction and visit new sites for which planning is required; · Prepare sketch plans, working and detailed drawings for schools, historical buildings and other public buildings; · Advise on and promote sustainable design and construction of low income housing. “My approach is one of conservation, as opposed to preservation. Conservation allows us to look forward while, at the same time, maintain and improve what is of significance to the heritage of the Country,” Dr. Holmes explained. Based in the ARD Department of Physical Infrastructure, Dr. Holmes is working closely with Director Mr. David James. “I am delighted that the ARD has a senior consultant to assist with the huge challenge still facing us after Ivan,” Mr. James said. Dr. Holmes, a British national, comes to Grenada with more than 38 years experience in architecture and the conservation of historic buildings. He has a PhD from the University of York and has lectured at several universities, including Hong Kong, Newcastle, Cambridge, York, Lancaster and Leeds. Reprinted from caribseek.com