In a 'guilt free' state of mind - A young architect dreams to promote sustainable tourism in Jamaica
PUBLISHED NOV 11, 2009
Hospitality Jamaica
Kirk Hamilton, a young architect, has vision to bring the concept of sustained tourism development to Jamaica. He says that the ?green design route? could be the stepping stone to revolutionizing the island?s resort development and tourism industry.
Hamilton believes that Jamaica could become the catalyst of 'Green' tourism in the Caribbean; the diversity of the land is incomparable and has a lot of potential for sustainable development.
"The island should look beyond the 'Yeh Mon' image that has been created," Hamilton said. "We can market our tourism products effectively; all we need to do is to set standards that are beyond the normal."
He believes that visitors to Jamaica do not get a sense of how the country truly is and are isolated in their 'conditioned' world.
"I want the visitor who comes to Jamaica to truly soak in all the elements of this beautiful island, beyond the sun and the sea, its culture, artifacts and food in all its authenticity," said Hamilton.
A MEDIUM FOR INTERACTION
Hamilton, in his thesis, has proposed a blueprint for a resort adjacent to the Rose Hall in Montego Bay which provides a medium for interaction between local and tourist, a communal ground for cultural and economic growth.
Right: Image of the south-facing facade showing the area where the resort, market and cultural centre meet. This resort is proposed to be located within the Rose Hall Development, Montego Bay
Having lived and worked in Barbados, where he got a first-hand knowledge of high end tourism, he is convinced that Jamaica needs to capture this, the true concept of 'green', which incorporates sustainable design.
Hamilton, who grew up in Kingston, and spend four high school years in Barbados, he returned to Jamaica in 2003 to complete his final year of high school before attending Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia.
Last year he interned as a Designer/ Visualiser with Dalu Design Group, a Savannah-based Design firm, specializing in sustainable, green design with credits for undertaking the Star Island Bahamas Project.
"I see Star Island as the turning point in my life," he said. "I was closely involved with the suppliers, was on site looking after the day to day work, it gave me a lot of insight," he said.
Star Island is a carbon neutral green designed luxury development located in North Bleuthera in the Bahamas and expects to be the world?s first totally sustainable island.
Hamilton said that he was able to envisage similar projects in Jamaica, "I was happy that this project was undertaken in the Caribbean, I could see what potential it would have in Jamaica."
The young architect says that the 'green design route' could be the stepping stone to revolutionizing Jamaica's Resort Development and Tourism Industry.
He said, though, the 'Green' projects are expensive initially but they pay for themselves in the long run. "The turnover for the business is better in three to five years."
He adds that this needs to be done sooner than later, "There are other islands vying for the tourism dollar and we would not want to miss the mark of sustainability." he said.
He feels that Jamaica should focus more on preserving the environment and develop sustainable ecosystems that complement the environment and benefit the communities.
amitabh.sharma@gleanerjm.com
Hospitality Jamaica
Kirk Hamilton, a young architect, has vision to bring the concept of sustained tourism development to Jamaica. He says that the ?green design route? could be the stepping stone to revolutionizing the island?s resort development and tourism industry.
Hamilton believes that Jamaica could become the catalyst of 'Green' tourism in the Caribbean; the diversity of the land is incomparable and has a lot of potential for sustainable development.
"The island should look beyond the 'Yeh Mon' image that has been created," Hamilton said. "We can market our tourism products effectively; all we need to do is to set standards that are beyond the normal."
He believes that visitors to Jamaica do not get a sense of how the country truly is and are isolated in their 'conditioned' world.
"I want the visitor who comes to Jamaica to truly soak in all the elements of this beautiful island, beyond the sun and the sea, its culture, artifacts and food in all its authenticity," said Hamilton.
A MEDIUM FOR INTERACTION
Hamilton, in his thesis, has proposed a blueprint for a resort adjacent to the Rose Hall in Montego Bay which provides a medium for interaction between local and tourist, a communal ground for cultural and economic growth.
Right: Image of the south-facing facade showing the area where the resort, market and cultural centre meet. This resort is proposed to be located within the Rose Hall Development, Montego BayHaving lived and worked in Barbados, where he got a first-hand knowledge of high end tourism, he is convinced that Jamaica needs to capture this, the true concept of 'green', which incorporates sustainable design.
Hamilton, who grew up in Kingston, and spend four high school years in Barbados, he returned to Jamaica in 2003 to complete his final year of high school before attending Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia.
Last year he interned as a Designer/ Visualiser with Dalu Design Group, a Savannah-based Design firm, specializing in sustainable, green design with credits for undertaking the Star Island Bahamas Project.
"I see Star Island as the turning point in my life," he said. "I was closely involved with the suppliers, was on site looking after the day to day work, it gave me a lot of insight," he said.
Star Island is a carbon neutral green designed luxury development located in North Bleuthera in the Bahamas and expects to be the world?s first totally sustainable island.
Hamilton said that he was able to envisage similar projects in Jamaica, "I was happy that this project was undertaken in the Caribbean, I could see what potential it would have in Jamaica."
The young architect says that the 'green design route' could be the stepping stone to revolutionizing Jamaica's Resort Development and Tourism Industry.
He said, though, the 'Green' projects are expensive initially but they pay for themselves in the long run. "The turnover for the business is better in three to five years."
He adds that this needs to be done sooner than later, "There are other islands vying for the tourism dollar and we would not want to miss the mark of sustainability." he said.
He feels that Jamaica should focus more on preserving the environment and develop sustainable ecosystems that complement the environment and benefit the communities.
amitabh.sharma@gleanerjm.com
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