‘We need to protect the word ‘architect’
"Most of all we have to know the client’s needs, what does the client want for the building, can this type of building be constructed on that site. Basically a lot of thought has to go in to all of this and it takes a lot of time and use of one’s knowledge as an architect to come up with a feasible proposal for the design, use of all technicians, and consulting with people from other disciplines. It’s a lot of work, and this is why it is also unfair for government or quasi government departments to ask architects to do pro bono work." The only daughter of Mc Donald and the late Linqu Murrell, speaks of her "five fabulous brothers." The eldest, Sheldon is also an architect practising in New York, Lyndon is IT Manager at the Stock Exchange, Carlyle — an Anglican priest in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ian, a building inspector with the Arima Borough Corporation and Garth, the youngest after Jo-Ann, is a professional photographer who has taken the pictures of his sister for this page. "I am happily single," she says with an infectious chuckle, "with many nieces and nephews and I have adopted my friends’ children, so I am a mother to many." A former student of Bishop Anstey Junior and High schools, Jo-Ann completed high school studies at the University of Winnipeg Collegiate in Canada, followed by a Bachelor of Environmental Studies, which is the undergraduate degree in architecture at the University of Manitoba. Wanting a more varied field of study, Jo-Ann chose to do post graduate studies at the Polytechnic of North London in England and obtained a Diploma (Hons) Architecture. She returned to Trinidad a graduate architect, and after about four years as an apprentice with Newel Lewis Broadbridge Associates (NLBA) and a stint as the sole architect with the National Housing Authority, opted to sit the professional exams to become a qualified architect and Full Member of the Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects. Jo-Ann is unfazed by the many problems which now exist in Trinidad and Tobago. "I enjoy people and life here. Actually, people are our greatest resources, I love living in Trinidad and Tobago and hope I never have to live anywhere else. My friends and my family are here, especially my father who has survived my mother, and he is my priority at this time." In terms of her profession, this very down-to-earth, young woman agrees "there are things we need to iron out, issues such as the protection of the word ‘architect.’ Basically the term ‘registered architect’ is protected, but not the name ‘architect’, so that only those duly qualified and licensed would be allowed to practise architecture." But that will be done by the government-appointed Board of Architecture of Trinidad and Tobago, of which she is a member, Jo-Ann is also a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). There are roughly 85 qualified, full-fledged TTIA members. The actual total amounts to 100 but the remaining 15 consist of graduate members who have not done professional practice examinations, overseas and student members. "We also have to deal with issues like continuing professional development, so that we keep on training as we practise, learning about new products and technologies that come into the industry. There is also the whole issue of the Caricom Single Market Economy to be dealt with, and we need for there to be commonality and equality between all institutes in the islands in terms of rules and regulations," says Jo-Ann. On a parting note she spoke of TTIA’s hosting of the Architectural Design and Excellence Awards in June, sponsored by Abel/Bestcrete, where the work of the local architects will be highlighted.
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"‘We need to protect the word ‘architect’"