Architects volunteer to transform former Social Security lot into urban green space

Members of the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Architects (ABIA) and the Council of Architects of Antigua and Barbuda have volunteered their expertise to help redesign the site of the former Social Security derelict building on High Street into a modern urban green space, as part of ongoing efforts to combat urban decay in St. John’s.

The initiative follows the recent demolition of the abandoned structure, which for years stood as a symbol of neglect in the heart of the city, an ongoing initiative by the government.

Minister for Social and Urban Transformation Rawdon Turner said the transformation of the area forms part of a wider push to revitalize St. John’s and create cleaner, safer and more welcoming public spaces for residents and visitors alike.

The architects met with the Minister for Social and Urban Transformation on Sunday, at the site to exchange ideas on how the space can be converted into a communal area that serves residents, including elderly persons, disabled individuals, and parents with young children.

Curisa Smith, president of the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Architects, said the group had come with ideas for transforming the lot into a functional public space.

“We are on site and we’re here to offer some assistance in terms of the transformation of the social security lot,” Smith said. “We’re here discussing all the ideas possible for making this into a green, morphing this into a new urban space.”

Daryl Benjamin, chairman of the Council of Architects of Antigua and Barbuda, said the site offered an opportunity to introduce the kind of green infrastructure absent from the city centre.

“It’s a welcome space for St. John’s, and the green space is definitely needed,” Benjamin said.

He noted the variety of residents who would benefit from a properly designed urban space.

“We have a lot of different persons who would utilise these spaces, disabled persons, women with children, elderly folks,” Benjamin said. “So, we need to have these spaces put together.”

Architect Aaron Carty-Nibbs said the project spoke to a need for greening within a built-up urban environment.

“When you have a lot of buildings around you, you need to have some sort of greening space that would promote social cohesion, bringing people together, having spaces to basically be communal, and at the same time provide a sort of cooler environment for the city,” Carty-Nibbs said.

Minister Turner said the architects had come forward without solicitation following a consultation on St. John’s City held some weeks prior.

“After that consultation, I had a brief discussion with a number of young professionals in Antigua and Barbuda about St. John’s and what needs to happen in terms of architecture and urban interventions across the city,” Turner said. “And I’m happy that they offered, without anyone asking, to volunteer their skillset, their skills, and to give back to Antigua and Barbuda by helping us design a space here in the city.”

Turner framed the intervention as urgent, pointing to the visible deterioration of the capital.

“If you look across St. John’s City, you see what is termed as urban decay. And if we don’t have these types of interventions, if we don’t begin the work of transforming St. John’s City, the city is going to die,” he said.

The minister said once designs and concepts are finalised, the space will be opened to the public.

“Very soon, once the designs and the concepts have been finalised, we’re going to transform this space and we’re going to open it to the public,” Turner said.