About Architects Registration Board

The Architects Registration Board is mandated to register architects, regulate the practice of architecture in Jamaica, and to ensure the maintenance of acceptable standards of professional conduct of persons registered under the Architects Registration Act. The Act was mainly regulatory in nature and aimed to monitor the operation of the Architectural profession in Jamaica.

By law the Architects Registration Board is composed of 9 members. Eight members shall be appointed by the Minister and the ninth member the president of the Jamaican Institute of Architects, ex officio. Of the eight appointed members five shall be nominated by the JIA, one a non-JIA Architect, and two not being registered Architects.

History

Though the Architects Registration was passed in 1987, the Regulations which were drafted by the Board after its appointment were not passed until 1989.

The Board had its first meeting on December 3, 1987.  The acceptance of applications for registration started in March 1988.  Registration did not, however commenced until March of 1990 as it was felt that a two-year period was required to sensitize prospective applicants of the law and its regulations.

The Board then consisted of :–

Architects

• Herbert W. Robinson, Chairman – elected Chairman at this the first meeting
• E. Nadine Isaacs
• Diana McHardy
• Errol Alberga
• Cosmo Whyte
• Stanley Kennedy
• Marvin D. Goodman
• Mr. St. Clare Risden – Minister’s appointee
• Arch Victor Patterson – Registrar/Secretary

Though the law did not require a Vice Chairman, Arch E. Nadine Isaacs was elected accordingly.

The first meetings of the Board was used to draft the regulations, decide the information to be included into the Register of Architects and the length of time to keep open Section 24 of the Act which governs the registration of persons who were practicing as architects before the Act became effective.  The Board also listed a number of requirements of this person such as standard of education, and general character.

From time to time new boards were appointed which consisted of the following persons serving at one time or another:

Architects Morris Chin, Aubrey Grant Jnr., Verma Panton, Louise McLeod, Neil Richards, Hal Lawson, and Clifton Yap and Desmond Hayle who sat on the Board as President of the Jamaican Institute of Architects.

The current Board took over from:

Architects

• Errol Alberga - Chairman
• Karin Hay
• Cheryl Pouchet
• Louise McLeod – President, Jamaican Institute of Architects
• Desmond Hayle
• Douglas Stiebel
• Douglas Wright
• Morris Chin
• Jacqueline Douglas Brown – Planner
• H. Earle Watson – Attorney-at-Law

A new Board was appointed in February of 2008. This Board consists of the following persons: Architects -

• Raymond McIntyre – Chairman
• Christopher Whyms-Stone
• Arthur Lowe
• Louise McLeod
• Karin hay
• Clifton Yap
• Errol Alberga
• Tamara Robinson – Attorney-at-Law
• David Cuthbert - Registrar

Arch Whyms-Stone also sits on the Board in his capacity as President of the Jamaican Institute of Architects.