Institute of Cayman Islands Architects: Elevating Cayman's Architectural Practices

As with many other islands in the Caribbean region and across the world, we now live in a global marketplace where standards and measures are valued. To be equitable with the rest of the world, Cayman must affirm expectation for established standards and codes of practice. To this end the Institute of Cayman Islands Architects was formed in 2018 and aligns its membership with the professional standards held by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), American Institute of Architects (AIA), Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), Union of International Architects (UIA), Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) and with the architects of our neighbouring islands across the Caribbean region.

The ICIA works with the Government, developers and the public to share ideas and help with strategic planning for major projects and developments in Cayman. The Institute will also help to educate Caymanians about the many paths within the profession.

1. Decades of local experience: ICIA members possess a wealth of experience in the local construction market, with a deep understanding of the unique environmental, logistical, and construction challenges specific to the Cayman Islands. Their expertise is invaluable when navigating the intricacies of building in an island nation. Having undergone extensive education, training, and licensing processes, they are well-versed in design principles, construction techniques, and local building codes.
2. Efficient Project Delivery: By engaging ICIA members, clients can expect projects to be delivered on schedule. They can efficiently coordinate with contractors, and other professionals, ensuring the project stays on schedule and within budget. As trained professionals are skilled in efficient project management, ensuring that timelines are met and potential delays are minimized, ultimately saving clients time and money.
3. Prevention of costly Issues: ICIA members bring a proactive and ethical approach to their work, which helps clients avoid major and potentially costly issues during construction. Their attention to detail and adherence to best practices provide clients with peace of mind, knowing that their projects are in capable hands. ICIA members can add significant value to a project by optimizing design solutions for cost-effectiveness without compromising quality.
4. Holistic approach for extended lifespan: ICIA members take a holistic approach to projects, ensuring that structures are not only fit for their intended purpose but also designed for long-term durability. With their knowledge of construction materials , sustainability and longevity ensures that clients receive ‘quality assurance’ and value from their investments.
5. Continuous professional development: ICIA members are committed to staying updated with the latest design techniques and building technologies through ongoing professional training and education. This dedication to innovation and developments in construction means clients benefit from cutting-edge solutions that enhance the quality and efficiency of their projects.

Bonus Reason

1. Decades of local experience: ICIA members possess a wealth of experience in the local construction market, with a deep understanding of the unique environmental, logistical, and construction challenges specific to the Cayman Islands. Their expertise is invaluable when navigating the intricacies of building in an island nation. Having undergone extensive education, training, and licensing processes, they are well-versed in design principles, construction techniques, and local building codes.

The ICIA members actively share ideas and developments within their community, ensuring that clients receive best-practice designs. This collaborative approach results in innovative solutions and improved project outcomes for clients.

Engaging an ICIA member guarantees a high level of professionalism, expertise, and dedication to delivering successful construction projects tailored to the unique needs of the Cayman Islands.

From the early 1970s, 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 (OBMI), Chalmers Gibbs Martin Joseph (CGMJ) set up offices on Grand Cayman.

In the early 1980s OBMI 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.

As there were few construction professionals in this growing market, the creation of a joint professional society, CASE tabled numerous industry issues liaised with the government and numerous attempts lead by various CASE committees were assembled, with most of the professional architects residing in the Cayman Islands contributing in some capacity.

As the new millennium arrived Cayman had become an extremely sophisticated place, aligning itself amongst the top banking and tourism destinations in the world. Our building codes were enforced and more recently upgraded to the International Code to reflect the level of alignment with global standards of practice and compliance.

This was done in recognition of a need to establish a benchmark standard that was at least equivalent to other countries in the region and in the southern United States. The management of these standards locally can most efficiently be carried out by a formally constituted professional body applying internationally recognized licensing procedures and regulations. And so, a group of Cayman's leading architects came together in 2020 to form the ICIA to advocate for good architecture in the Cayman Islands. Its members are dedicated to upholding high standards of professionalism, integrity and competence within the practice of architecture, and advancing their own knowledge in the art and science of architecture. ICIA aims to become a centre for architectural excellence in the Cayman Islands.

1. Unity and Support: 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 and Transparency: To encourage and lead collaborative and invigorating 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 and Diversity: As a collective of learned Architects, we will address the barriers in architectural education and promote different paths to the profession, in order to increase diversity and equality.

4. Localism and Internationalism: To combine our individual networks of professional bodies so that we may facilitate meaningful connections between local and international contacts and learn from links abroad.

5. Governance and Best Practice: 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.

For more information, visit www.icia.ky.