Jamaica Conference Center, Kingston, Jamaica
February 28–March 2, 2008

The International Program and MoMA's Department of Architecture and Design collaborated with the University of Technology, Jamaica, to present a symposium on the subject of modernist architecture in the Caribbean.

The symposium offered two days of moderated talks, on February 29 and March 1, by practicing architects, architectural historians, and curators from thirteen countries—the Bahamas, Barbados, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, and Venezuela—who explored issues involving architecture in the region. Topics of focus included regional and international legacies, preservation, environmental sustainability, and urban planning, as they relate to modernist architectural history and contemporary practice.

The goal of the symposium was to encourage scholarly, curatorial, and broader educational awareness of the subject and to assess what lessons for contemporary practice can be gleaned from this architectural heritage.

Attendance was open to the general public on both days, and local and international students were offered a reduced rate; the symposium was sold out on both days. For further details on the symposium and participants please visit the University of Technology website.

Friday, February 29, 2008: Symposium Day One

Official opening ceremony
Honorable Bruce Golding, Prime Minister, Jamaica
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Keynote address
Introduction of Keynote speaker
Pat Ramsey, Director, Center for the Arts
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Mrs. Epsy Campbell-Barr, human rights activist, professor, and economist, Costa Rica
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(In Spanish, with limited translation)

PANEL SESSION ONE

Moderator—Barry Bergdoll, The Museum of Modern Art, New York
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Belmont Freeman, architect, New York
“Housing the Revolution: Cuba 1959–1969”
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Marcus Barinas, architect and Professor, Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Ureña, Dominican Republic
“The End of the Quiet City: The Parques Miradores and a New Perceptual Paradigm for Santo Domingo”
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Miguel Rodriguez, architect and Dean, Polytechnic School of Architecture, Puerto Rico
“Soldiers and Tourists: The Subjective Selves of Puerto Rico’s Modern Architecture”
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(Note: end of the speech not recorded)

PANEL SESSION TWO

Moderator—David Harrison, Principal Lecturer, Caribbean School of Architecture, University of Technology, Jamaica
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Jean Doucet, engineer and author, Martinique
”Several Sights of Modernist Architectural Production in Guadeloupe and Martinique”
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Ronny Lobo, organic architect, Netherlands Antilles
“Modernist Architecture in the Dutch Caribbean”
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Silvia Arango, Professor, National University of Colombia, Colombia
“Modernist Architecture in Colombia”
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Respondent
Gustavo Luis Moré, architect and editor of Archivos de Arquitectura Antillana, Dominican Republic
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Keynote address
Enrique Norten, primary architect, TEN Arquitectos, Mexico and New York
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Saturday, March 1, 2008: Symposium Day Two

PANEL SESSION THREE

Moderator—Jorge Otero Pailos, Columbia University, New York
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Carlos Brillembourg, architect, Caracas and New York
“Caracas: Towards a New City, 1936–1958”
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David Gouverneur, architect and visiting lecturer, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
“Venezuela: Modernist Architecture Contextualized”
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Bruno Stagno, architect, Costa Rica
“Tropical Modern”
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Louise Noelle, Professor, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico
“La Modernidad Arquitectónica en el Caribe Mexican”
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PANEL SESSION FOUR

Moderator—Margaret Jarrett, Programme Director, M. Arch, Caribbean School of Architecture, University of Technology, Jamaica
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Jackson Burnside, architect, Bahamas
“The Houses of Ray Nathaniels”
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L. Mark Taylor, Head, Caribbean School of Architecture, University of Technology, Jamaica
“Concrete Expressions: A Sketch of the Birth and Development of a Modernist Architecture in Jamaica with Special Reference to the Capital City, Kingston”
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Mervyn Awon, architect, Barbados
“Modernist Architecture in Barbados”
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Mark Raymond, architect, Trinidad and Tobago
“Critical Practice”
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Keynote address
Dr. Ken Yeang, architect, Malaysia and United Kingdom
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Respondent
Jean François Lejeune, University of Miami, Florida
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Sponsorship:
The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) gratefully acknowledge the following sponsors of the Caribbean Modernist Architecture Symposium: The International Council of The Museum of Modern Art, The Reed Foundation, Patricia Cisneros Travel Fund for Latin America of The Museum of Modern Art, Jamaica National Building Society, Pan Jam, Victoria Mutual Building Society, Air Jamaica, American Airlines, British Airways, The Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, and Jamaica Conference Centre.