REAL LIFE Summer 2013

contributors’ bios DEREK GALON With a childhood exposed to the Arts, it is little wonder that Derek first picked up a camera over 40 years ago.

Developing a rare ability to capture the artisitic feel of the moment in his work, his varied porfolio has received worldwide recognition and international awards. See more at his site: www.artphotographyservices.com, and check out his photos of Secret Bay Resort for our Haven & Earth feaure on page 50.

BRIAN GROSSENBACHER Residing in Montana with his wife and two daughters, Brian’s career behind the lens began with a gamble when he used an alloted book budget to buy a camera and two lenses. Before the book was published he had already sold a handful of magazine covers and discovered a passion for photography. A regular contributor to Field & Stream and other prestigious magazines, he shares his images of flyfishing pioneer, Charlie Smith, on page 74.

ROBERT TOWELL Family man, business owner and Principle Chartered Architect (RIBA) for Robert Towell Architect Ltd., Robert has 25 years in the field. Providing progressive and innovative architectural design expertise including planning, building and project management services, this Canadian born and educated expat now considers the Cayman Islands his home. Robert shares his thoughts on green design on page 60.

NELISA WUILLIEZ Born and raised in St. Lucia, this self-proclaimed bookworm, foodie and wine lover, is also a qualified environmental scientist, Montessori teacher and co-owner of Caribbean Botanical Designs. On page 66 she takes a break from her busy life to reveal her knowledge of xeriscaping.

EDITORIAL CORRECTION: In last issue the writer of Mandalay was incorrectly

identified. It should have credited Sonya Carlesso as the author of the article.

www.reallifecaribbean.com Vol 8, issue #3 Summer 2013

PUBLISHER

DESIGN

mc2 Ltd Melanie Roddam

Senior Designer

melanie@reallife.ky

EDITORIAL

Mike Johnston - mike@reallife.ky

Editor Kyle Fulton - kyle@reallife.ky

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Senior Writer Juliet Austin - juliet@reallife.ky

Laura Collacott

Editorial & Production Assistant Emma Spencer-Smith - emma@reallife.ky

Maria Carter Caroline Key Robert Towell Nelisa Wuilliez

SALES & MARKETING

Sales Director Melanie Roddam - melanie@reallife.ky

WEBSITE

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Senior Account Executive Kennedy Carroll - kennedy@reallife.ky

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The views expressed within this publication do not reflect those of mc2 Ltd, REAL LIFE magazine or their employees. mc2 Ltd. and REAL LIFE magazine accept no responsibility for the views contained herein.

Published quarterly. © 2013 mc2 Ltd.

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t. 345.946.1220 f. 345.946.1221 www.mc2.com.ky ADVERTISE WITH US For details of our extremely cost effective rates, or if you are interested in contributing editorial, please contact our sales team.

Email: ads@reallife.ky • Tel: 1 345.943.REAL Skype: reallifecaribbean

hello W

aves of change are underway in the Caribbean.

In putting together this green issue, we were pleased to find many homes, resorts and companies in the region embracing sustainable principles – a welcome change from five years ago when we first introduced the green issue.

Exemplifying this change is our cover Showcase, The Cliffs in Oil Nut Bay on Virgin Gorda. An extremely eco-sensitive development, we are pleased to shine the spotlight on their efforts. Hopping south to Mustique, we take a tour of Simplicity, a villa, which in keeping with its name embodies a simpler way to live. While our In Harmony with Kennedy Carroll, Aida Cortes, Andrew Forster, Melanie Roddam, Kyle Fulton, Emma Spencer-Smith, Nature and Haven and Earth editorials reveal how resorts in Mike Johnston, Juliet Austin, Missing: Kimberley Bentley.

Clothing by Hiho. www.go-hiho.com Photography by Heather Holt. www.heatherholt.com the region are incorporating eco-friendly practices and encouraging guests to get in touch with Mother Nature without sacrificing luxury. We also got Rohan Marley to dish on his coffee with a cause and pioneering underwater photographer, Cathy Church, to share her secrets from the deep.

We thoroughly enjoyed putting together this issue and hope the green tides of change continue.

So crack the spine and enjoy!

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SIMPLICITY

THE CLIFFS

IN HARMONY WITH NATURE

Diamond in the raw: a return to first principles in Mustique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Eco-sensitive abodes that seduce on Virgin Gorda in The British Virgin Islands.

Whether you are looking for the ultimate family getaway or the perfect secret retreat, these destinations show just how luxurious going green can be.

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42

H O U R S

Industry News

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inVIRGIN GORDA Explore its natural wonders and rich heritage

Editor’s Obsessions

44 Baha Mar The new Riviera

39 Keepin’ it Real Green travel goodies

52 My Island

54 Design Den

50 HAVEN & EARTH Connect with Mother Nature without sacrificing the earth at these four topnotch Caribbean havens that prove nature lovers and luxury resorts can coexist.

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FROM DRAB TO FAB

Ocean Devotion

Finally getting their due, prefabricated homes offer a promising new option for those wanting a headache-free build in the Caribbean.

Cathy Church, Grand Cayman’s pioneering underwater photographer on life under the ocean waves.

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72

Time to Rise & Grind

Must-Haves

Lust List

Beyond the buzz with Marley Coffee

A view to a thrill

74 Lord of the flies

58

Charlie Smith

Coconuts

60 Real Report: The economy of buidling green

66 Xeriscaping Gardening with the environment in mind

Profiles Denaye Hinds 25 Lori McRae 38 Brian & Elderfield

43 Real Estate Section 80 Directory and Useful Numbers

76 55

Creatures of the Caribbean

12 | INDUSTRY NEWS

ENVIROSHAKE® INC. LAUNCHES ENVIROSHINGLE® ROOFING SHINGLES

Canada Enviroshake® Inc. recently announced the launch of its Enviroshingle® roofing product, which has been designed to emulate a smooth sawn, architecturallyuniform cedar shingle. Made from 95% post-industrial recycled material, Enviroshingle® is not susceptible to mould, mildew, fungus, rot or insect infestation, and can withstand severe and extreme weather conditions and temperatures, including level five hurricane strength winds.

Whilst traditional cedar shingles require pre-treatment and ongoing maintenance, Enviroshingle® bypasses these steps and will retain its physical properties and appearance for decades. Available in classic silvered cedar, aged cedar, or multi-tone, Enviroshingle® is sold with a lifetime warranty.

For more information, call: 1.866.423.3302 or visit: www.enviroshake.com

TRYALL CLUB WINS SUSTAINABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AWARD

CAPITAL REALTY SPONSOR LIONFISH TOURNAMENT

Shaku Ramcharan, Environmental and Conservation Manager at Tryall Club stated, “Tryall Club has made real strides in the development of a programme that gives back to our community. We are thrilled to be recognised by the CTO.”

Capital Realty was also pleased to announce that in early 2013, Heidi Kiss and George Davidson became the new Owners and Brokers of Capital Realty.

For more information, visit: www.obmi.com

For more information, visit: www.capitalrealty.com.ky

Jamaica OBM International (OBMI), one of the world’s foremost international architectural and planning firms, has established itself as a leading company in architectural sustainability.

Their client, Tryall Club, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, was recognised at the 14th Annual Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) event for its ability to maintain sustainability practices throughout its property, with an award for Sustainable Development. OBMI’s Denaye Hinds, Director of Sustainability, worked with Tryall Club to verify and maintain its ongoing environmental and social responsibility programmes.

Cayman Islands In an effort to cull an invasive population of lionfish in the Cayman Islands, Capital Realty was pleased to sponsor the eighth Lionfish Tournament which aims to actively control the population. The Indo-Pacific lionfish is not native to Cayman, but over recent years due to their high reproductive rate and lack of natural predators, have begun to dominate local waters. A total of 972 lionfish were caught and killed during the tournament.

EMBRACE SUSTAINABLE RESORT UNDER CONSTRUCTION

The Bahamas Located on Staniel Cay in the Exuma archipelago, EMBRACE, is a new sustainable resort currently under construction. An acronym of Bahamian islands’ and the name of their seven villas – Exuma, Mayaguana, Bimini, Ragged Island, Andros, Cat Island and Eleuthera (EMBRACE) – they feature one to three bedrooms, and have been designed to reflect the surrounding tropical ambiance.

Once completed, EMBRACE will feature the only spa, fitness centre and meeting space on the island and in the Exuma Cays, along with a luxurious poolside cabana and an upscale restaurant.

“Influenced by Bahamian culture, rooted in sustainability and driven by a desire to create memorable experiences, we look forward to embracing our first guests,” says Nicole Ferguson, owner. With a soft launch planned for early July, the resort’s grand opening is scheduled for March 2014.

For more information, visit: www.embraceresort.com

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SAN SEBASTIAN PHASE II SOLD OUT

Cayman Islands Davenport Development recently announced that Phase II of their flagship South Sound development, San Sebastian, has sold out. The development, which seamlessly blends Mediterranean-influenced design and green building techniques, features lush landscaping, multiple swimming pools, two tennis courts, a fully-equipped gym and clubhouse.

The newest and third phase of San Sebastian will be released in July 2013 priced from CI$229,000.

For more information, visit: www.davenportcayman.com

INDUSTRY NEWS | 13

SANDALS RESORTS INTERNATIONAL ‘SPICES UP’ LUXURY INCLUDED® PORTFOLIO WITH NEW GRENADA RESORT

Grenada Sandals Resorts International (SRI), will open the doors to its newest and most contemporary Luxury Included® resort, Sandals LaSource Grenada Resort & Spa in December 2013. Situated on 17 acres of stunning land along the pristine Pink Gin Beach with a total of 231 rooms, Sandals LaSource Grenada will offer guests the highest level of luxury with an unprecedented look and feel for the resort company’s portfolio.

“We are thrilled to introduce our guests to another breathtaking Caribbean island, offering even more alluring destinations for a Luxury Included® Vacation,” says Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “Following our enhancements of the former LaSource Resort, Sandals LaSource Grenada will exceed guests’ expectations while allowing them to enjoy the natural beauty of the Spice Island.”

For more information, visit: www.sandals.com/grenada

ATLANTIC BUILDING CONSULTANTS LTD AND BCQS INTERNATIONAL FORM STRATEGIC ALLIANCE

Caribbean Atlantic Building Consultants Ltd, (ABC Ltd) and BCQS International recently announced a new strategic alliance. The core business of both companies comprises Project Management, Quantity Surveying, Development Management and Property Development Consultancy. Together the companies have strong links to the major lending institutions in Bermuda and throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

Tim Berry, President and Managing Director of ABC Ltd stated, “The association gives us a depth of resources that will allow us to successfully execute even the largest of projects and also expands upon the range and diversification of services we can offer to clients”.

Liam Day, Managing Director of BCQS based in Cayman noted, “Combined, the practices bring together a history of 50 years of operation in the region and the association mirrors the intent of our corporate tag line, “Local Knowledge – Global Experience” to the fullest extent.”

For more information, visit: www.bcqs.com

GGAM BRING BEST-IN-CLASS CASINO MANAGEMENT TO BAHAMIAN PROJECT

The Bahamas Global Gaming Asset Management (GGAM) has been retained to manage the Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, the centrepiece of the $3.5 billion Baha Mar integrated destination resort in The Bahamas. GGAM’s most recent projects include the first phase of the $1.2 billion Solaire Manila, an integrated resort and casino facility geared towards Asian and VIP clientele.

Scheduled to open in December 2014, the Baha Mar Casino & Hotel will feature 1,000 rooms and a 100,000-square-foot casino floor with more than 150 table games and 1,500 slot machines, in addition to private gaming salons, in-play sports betting and other cutting-edge technologies. Baha Mar will also be home to Rosewood Resort®, Mondrian and Grand Hyatt, offering a total of 2,200 luxury rooms, suites and residences.

For more information, visit: www.bahamar.com

OBM INTERNATIONAL WELCOMES NEW TEAM MEMBER

Caribbean OBM International (OBMI), welcomed Herick Wolfgang Rodriguez to the team in June. With 15 years of architectural design, space planning and interior design experience, Herick will focus on resort design within OBMI’s Destination Creation and Urban Lifestyle Design Studios. Along with a proven track record, Herick has a Masters in Architecture from Pratt Institute in New York and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Penn State.

RE/MAX CAYMAN ISLANDS WINS BIG AT 2013 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

Cayman Islands Despite recent challenges to the real estate market in the past few years, RE/MAX Cayman Islands had yet another successful year at the annual RE/MAX International convention held in Las Vegas.

The sales associates of RE/MAX Cayman Islands collected many awards for their outstanding work in 2012. Kim Lund, Broker/Owner received the Luminary of Distinction, a new and now the most exclusive RE/MAX Career Award, which represents the highest level of achievement in all of RE/MAX. James Bovell received an individual award for #1 Top Producer, Kass Coleman brought home the Circle of Legends award, colleagues Scott Roe, Michael Joseph and Tamara Siemens all received the Lifetime Achievement award and Scott Elliott the Hall of Fame award.

For more information, visit: www.remax.ky

In welcoming Herick to the OBMI team, Doug Kulig, CEO said “We are honoured to bring an architect of Herick’s calibre to OBMI. His project experience in the Caribbean, United States, Europe, Middle East and Asia, together with his fluency in four languages, further strengthens OBMI’s platform to act as our clients’ trusted advisor, providing global knowledge, local understanding and exceptional personal service.”

For more information, visit: www.obmi.com

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14 | INDUSTRY NEWS

STAFFORD CREEK LODGE CELEBRATES FIFTEEN YEARS IN BUSINESS

MODERN AND INNOVATIVE HOME SCHEDULED TO COMPLETE IN AUGUST

The Bahamas Currently undergoing a major facelift, the lodge embraces and sustains the natural environment by using local resources and expertise. Four thatched roof gazebos will be strategically placed on the property, offering breathtaking views of the clear and tranquil creek. The cottages are being renovated with new bathrooms, furniture and furnishings, and the new Club House is being fitted out with German appliances and fixtures. The double cottage, which is being upgraded with an extended dock to the water and limestone exterior façade, will be beautifully furnished with handcrafted furniture and local

Cayman Islands Robert Towell Architect Ltd. & Smart Construction Management Ltd., with their client, recently announced that they are hopeful for an August completion date for the new, three-storey oceanfront home situated on the exclusive Old Prospect Point Road, Grand Cayman.

The home has been expertly designed, providing sleek modern lines which maximise the breathtaking reef-protected views and make use of natural prevailing breezes. The home sits 20ft above sea level, protected by a solid concrete sea wall and features a jaw-dropping vanishing edge pool. accessories. Hundreds of coconut trees, Birds of Paradise and hybrid hibiscus plants will be introduced to transform the already lush native landscape.

For more information, visit: www.staffordcreeklodge.com

Designed with a contemporary open living plan, the ground floor merges seamlessly into the pool deck and features a floor-to-ceiling glass wall of doors. The expanse of glass is a continuous theme throughout the home, maximising ocean views from all three bedrooms on the second floor, each of which lead to a capacious, breezy balcony.

For more information, visit: designhomes.ky or email architect@candw.ky

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR GOVERNOR’S AWARD

BEACH RESTORATION PROJECT EXPANDED FOR 2013

Cayman Islands The Cayman Society of Architects, Surveyors & Engineers (CASE) and the Cayman Contractors Association (CCA) recently announced a call for nominees for the 2013 Governor’s Award for Design and Construction Excellence. The award, which was established in 2010, is granted by the Governor of the Cayman Islands to encourage, foster and maintain innovation, sustainability and excellence in the Cayman Islands construction industry. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges convened by Governor Taylor and awards will be given to nominations in two categories: residential and commercial.

“This exciting award programme is celebrated on a biennial basis and construction projects are nominated for their innovative, sustainable design and buildability as well as for uniquely reflecting our Caymanian context,” Governor’s Award Committee Chairman Garth Arch said. “We look forward to receiving submissions of the high standard one expects from the Cayman Islands design and construction industry.”

2013

To enter and for more information, visit: www.governorsaward.ky

2013

TURTLE BREEZE VILLA HOME AVAILABLE FOR SEASONAL RENTALS

Turks & Caicos Islands The award-winning resort property, Turtle Breeze Villa, designed by local architect Ron Shaw, is now available for seasonal rentals. Located on the main island of Providenciales, the home features a collection of four separate pod residences each accommodating a family of four, and is surrounded by a tropical lagoon style pool.

The property also includes a separate one bedroom, one bath guest house, with its own private kitchen and wrap-around balcony. The main house, which can accommodate up to 20 people, features a resort style gourmet kitchen, formal dining room and family room with a state-of-the-art home theatre and audio system. The jewel in the crown, a very private master retreat with palatial master bath and romantic second outdoor shower.

For more information, visit: www.turtlebreeze.com

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U.S. Virgin Islands Eco Serendib Villa and Spa, an ecofriendly, luxury retreat on St. John, recently announced more than $15,000 in additional funding to Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation and protection of the national park, for the continuation of the Eco Serendib Beach Restoration Project. This year the project will be expanded to include Hawksnest, Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay and Francis Bay. The restoration project, which was initiated last year, protects the island’s coastline from the damaging impact of erosion while reducing the carbon footprint by re-introducing indigenous trees and shrubs, at beaches throughout the island.

“The main attractions of St. John are our beautiful beaches and the national park. If our beaches are eroded, it will not only hurt us environmentally, but will negatively impact tourism.” said Brion FitzGerald, superintendent of Virgin Islands National Park. “We appreciate Eco Serendib’s support of this project which will allow for planting some 216 native trees on our pristine beaches.”

For more information, contact Lisa Herbst: lisagherbst@gmail.com

INDUSTRY NEWS | 15

DART REALTY ANNOUNCES NEW COMMERCIAL BUILDING

Cayman Islands Dart Realty (Cayman), Ltd. has broken ground on 18 Forum Lane, an 85,000 square-foot retail and office building in Camana Bay. Designed to achieve LEED certification, 18 Forum Lane is advancing Camana Bay’s long-term focus on sustainability. From a solar array that will help to provide energy savings of up to 20%, to fully fit-out spaces that will create ‘plug and play’ space for new tenants, 18 Forum Lane will be the premier address for forward-thinking companies.

Designed by award-winning firm Lake|Flato of San Antonio, Texas, the building is planned to be an integral part of the Town Centre while paying homage to traditional Caymanian design. Planned around a central courtyard, and brought to life by flora and fauna endemic to Cayman, this “outdoor room” continues Camana Bay’s commitment to maintain at least 30% of the town as open, public space.

For leasing information, contact: sloane.rhulen@drcl.ky.

FLAMINGOS OF NECKER ISLAND BOOK OUT NOW

U.S. Virgin Islands Having studied a colony of introduced Caribbean Flamingos on Necker Island every three to four weeks for four years, Michaeline Moloney, recently released an ebook detailing the personal and communal lives of the bird. The ebook, titled ‘Flamingos of Necker Island: Sir Richard Branson’s Brilliant Birds,’ includes hundreds of illustrative photos and chronicles the physical, social and behavioural development of four flamingos and their friends as they grow to maturity.

US VIRGIN ISLANDS AWARDED SEVEN BLUE FLAG CERTIFICATIONS U.S. Virgin Islands

Five resorts and two marinas in the U.S. Virgin Islands were recently awarded Blue Flag certification. These Blue Flag sites, located on all three major islands, are operated according to ethics that respect the environment as well as the visitors who make use of the facilities. To attain the Blue Flag, beaches and marinas have to comply with a number of strict criteria concerning environmental information and education, environmental management, safety and service facilities and water quality.

The Blue Flag is only awarded for one season at a time and the award is only valid for as long as the criteria are fulfilled.

Season 2012-2013 Certified locations: Beaches: Pelican Cove – The Palms at Pelican Cove Cinnamon Bay – National Park Service Trunk Bay – National Park Service Great Bay – Ritz Carlton Resort Lindbergh Bay – Emerald Beach Resort

For more information, and to purchase the e-book, visit: www.flamingosofneckerisland.com

Marinas: Green Cay Marina Crown Bay Marina For more information, visit: www.blueflagusvi.org

HARRIS CIVIL ENGINEERS INVOLVED IN NEW CABRITA POINT RESIDENCES U.S. Virgin Islands Harris Civil Engineers (HCE) has been working with Jaredian Design Group to provide civil design services for Cabrita Point Residences. The project, located on a peninsula at the eastern end of the island of St. Thomas, includes more than sixty condominium units, seven residential estate lots and amenities.

With a 27 year history of site development in the islands, Florida based Harris Civil Engineers is a leading civil engineering design firm providing international design services. Founded by Joseph E Harris, the firm has provided civil engineering design services to more than 60 Caribbean resort projects.

For more information, visit: www.harriscivilengineers.com

CAMANA BAY’S FARMERS’ MARKET TO HARNESS RENEWABLE ENERGY

Cayman Islands As part of developer Dart Realty (Cayman) Ltd.’s continuous effort to incorporate sustainable design and practices into Camana Bay daily life, the new hurricane-rated Farmers’ Market structure has been fitted with 78 solar panels. The 18.72kW rooftop system will produce approximately 13,380kWh of renewable energy a year, significantly reducing Camana Bay’s carbon footprint. At current rates, the system is designed to pay for itself within only six years.

Solar panels generate electricity using pollution-free solar cells, which not only eliminate carbon emissions but also help to make the Cayman Islands a cleaner and greener place.

For a full list of shops, restaurants and services at Camana Bay, visit: www.camanabay.com.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT CAMANA BAY Cayman Islands Every Tuesday, July-August Moonlight & Movies, Gardenia Court

Every Wednesday Weekly Farmers’ Market, North Market Street Friday 12 July 2013 Cayman Rock & Reggae Music Festival, The Festival Green Saturday 20 July 2013 Kids’ Cultural Workshop, The Discovery Centre Saturday 20 July 2013 Drum Circle, Gardenia Court For a full calendar of events, visit: www.camanabay.com. To keep up to date with the latest happenings, like Camana Bay Fan Page on Facebook and follow @CamanaBay on Twitter.

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SIMPLICITY Diamond in the raw: a return to first principles in Mustique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Words by Juliet Austin. Photography by Tom Arban.

CAYMAN’S BLACK MAGIC MAN | 17

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uminary architect, Jack Diamond, has forged a career designing cultural edifices. His landmark civic structures span the globe: an opera house in his hometown of Toronto, Canada; a symphony hall in Israel; and, most recently, the Mariinsky II Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. Yet, paradoxically, all the ‘houses that Jack builds’ share one poetic motif: like meticulously crafted Haiku, the unnecessary is eliminated so that the necessary can speak. Such is the case with Simplicity, his three-bedroom barefoot beach house on Mustique’s undisturbed eastern coast. Carefully edited, deliberate and unpretentious, it seems to belong organically to the hillside into which it fits… a house of the hill.

Original shareholders in Mustique, Jack and Gill Diamond purchased land in the late 1970s, but it was 1990 before Simplicity took form.

Seeking refuge from the onslaught of monochromatic

winters; a gathering place for children and grandchildren; an escape from the artificiality and pressures of urban life where they could fall asleep to the sound of the waves, the vibrancy and warmth of the Caribbean seemed the perfect sensory antidote. Fifty-five-feet above sea level, on a steep hill overlooking the coral sands of Pasture Bay and nearby Rabbit Island, Simplicity’s story began to unfold, guided conceptually by lines from Derek Walcott’s poem, Omeros: “When you have seen everything and gone everywhere, cherish your island for its green simplicities.”

Hewn from the hillside and cocooned by nature, the design’s innate ecosensitivity is borne of basic economics and a return to first principles.

Understated and restrained, functionality is a central design factor, with cut and fill used to create levels of vertical interest. Connected via landscaped walkways, shady >

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18 | CAYMAN’S BLACK MAGIC MAN

terraces and vine-laden pergolas to a paved courtyard nucleus, a magical clearing-in-the-forest, living areas and bedrooms occupy separate pods; airy, pared down pavilions like ingenious private theatre boxes. Complete with verandahs for casual alfresco dinners or curling up with a good book, and outdoor shower for the ultimate at-one-with-nature experience, show-stopping views past the tropical pool oasis and wind-sculpted trees culminate in the rolling ocean, the home’s wildly beautiful centre stage. Sheltered by a small promontory and naturally cooled by southerly breezes, like Diamond’s opera halls, there are no bad seats in the house: performer and viewer are honoured simultaneously.

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Green by design and driven by practicality and authenticity, Simplicity is anchored in place and time: undeniably modern, yet imbued with the wisdom of the Caribbean vernacular to sit lightly on the landscape. Traditional tension bars provide strength, while meticulous siting and orientation optimise light, wind and shade patterns, using a system of deep eaves to protect against inclement weather. “A building should fit the location comfortably, the way a great horseman fits the saddle,” explains Diamond. Designed à la lanterne, broad, unadorned portals become nature’s ever-evolving canvases, masterpieces of colour, texture and light. Amplified by limited use of reflective glass, doors and windows frame picturesque >

SIMPLICITY | 19

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views, bathing rooms in natural light while ensuring cross ventilation from near constant Tradewinds.

Furthermore, a system of ingenious double roofs means that no surface is heated directly. Sandwiched between sun-washed exterior cedar shingles and interior bead-board tray ceilings, ventilation spaces with louvers at the apex, generate a Venturi effect, circulating air and drawing heat from the home.

Coupled with the cooling power of energy efficient fans from the Big Ass Fan Company, the home is a model of naturallyderived, open air comfort.

Contextually responsive, exterior walls of coral-hued stucco evoke the natural texture of wet sand. Inside smooth interior walls of pure white create a sophisticated ambience of timeless simplicity. Working louvered shutters, blue as the Caribbean sky at sunset, compound the effect, making what Diamond calls, “a virtue out of necessity.” Hardy stucco-on-concrete floors, favoured by flamboyant island designer, Oliver Messel, are cool, clean and fresh underfoot – perfectly suited to the humid, tropical environment.

Inside, Simplicity’s appeal is enchanting. In the living room, whitewashed rafters, raw wood furnishings, and bookcases built into niches in the plastered masonry walls create welcoming >

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SIMPLICITY | 21

“If you will stay close to nature, to its simplicity, to the small things hardly noticeable, those things can unexpectedly become great and immeasurable.�

Rainer Maria Rilke

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22 | SIMPLICITY

spaces complemented by seagrass seating clusters and deep slipcovered sofas from Jasper Conran’s Habitat collection.

Punctuated by powder blue throw cushions and accent tones, the effect is elegant and calming. In the same vein, bedrooms feature crisp white linens, dreamy beds shrouded in romantic mosquito netting and artwork, including screenprints by the couple’s daughter, Suki.

Nevertheless, the real pièce de résistance must be the recently added dining pavilion. Set on stilts – four recycled telegraph poles from St. Vincent – at the end of a foliage-lined path, the wide beam structure, topped with cedar shakes and reinforced by scissor trusses, commands a scene-stealing 180° vista, delivering what Diamond calls, “ultimate openness.”

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With no water or power, the table is illuminated by the hypnotic glow of hurricane lanterns as guests are invited to savour nature’s own light show: the rising of the moon and the burst of a million stars.

In this way, nature’s abundance is heightened by the eloquent simplicity of design, materials and scale. Mature shade trees grow up undisturbed. Dramatically uplit at night

by LED spotlights, their shady canopies become integral elements of the home’s dynamic. Cliff rock, dislodged from clearing the footprint, goes to form three garden terraces, watered using drip irrigation from the large 65,000 gallon cistern and brimming with exotic fruit trees bearing lime, pawpaw and bananas. A fig tree, grown from a seed from Kew

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Gardens, thrives alongside aubergines, tomatoes, rocket and beans, a tropical harvest like no other.

Pure and noble, lack of excess brings clarity. In synchronicity with nature, time slows as senses engage. In brooding skies, primordial frigate birds circle as storm clouds gather over the bay. As the sun sweeps the hillside, a chorus of cicadas bursts into song. Here, with the fragrant aroma of night-blooming jasmine blown in on the breeze, is the grounding presence of earth beneath one’s feet.

Poet, Rainer Maria Rilke observed, “If you will stay close to nature, to its simplicity, to the small things hardly noticeable, those things can unexpectedly become great and immeasurable.” So it is, on the idyllic isle of Mustique, a place accustomed to the follies of the rich and famous with their lavish great houses and decadent mansions, that the selfless walls of Simplicity seem, more than ever, to resonate with a timehonoured wisdom. Here, in this special place, ego is silent, allowing Nature’s voice to soar.

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THE CLIFFS Eco-sensitive abodes that seduce on Virgin Gorda in The British Virgin Islands Words by Laura Collacott. Photography by Christian Horan.

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Photo by Don Hebert

azing out on a hazy Caribbean scene, Christopher Columbus’ eyes settled on the dramatic shape of an arched, rocky island draped in velvety vegetation.

Musing, he decided that it reminded him of a reclining woman. And so Virgin Gorda (‘the Fat Virgin’) was named.

The fanciful explorer may have been among the first to appreciate this isle in the British Virgin Islands’ inherent beauty, but he was not the last.

Nestled on the quiet eastern tip lies Oil Nut Bay, a lowdensity, earth-conscious development that revels in the natural beauty of the region. Situated on 300-acres of pristine land, the community offers 88 villa plots (freehold – unusual in the area) each with spectacular views over the Caribbean idyll.

Neighbours such as Richard’s Branson’s Necker Island and Laurance Rockefeller’s Little Dix Bay allude to the calibre of this princely development, but it is not just princely. It is also kind.

Environmental guardianship has been placed at the heart of the design agenda by developer David V. Johnson, Chairman of Victor International, in recognition of the location’s picturesque natural allure. Architect Doug Kulig, along with Tim Peck and OBM International Destination Creation team, are masters in constructing stunning, minimum impact buildings, and the result here is no exception. A thoughtful and seductive complex, Oil Nut Bay is as design savvy as it is technologically advanced.

Plots flow seamlessly from one to another, the use of natural materials and green roofs artfully integrated to give the impression of long-established residence. Working with the island’s natural contours has created a cascade of buildings down the hillside, maximising the view and minimising the >

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need for excavation, and thus containing environmental impact.

Fifty percent of the land has been designated as open space with nature trails and conservation areas that not only enhance the scenery, but also serve the local wildlife. In charge of the necessary nitty gritty, Harris Civil Engineers even incorporated an ecofriendly pond that includes dedicated shallows for migratory birds, while a cutting-edge system collects and treats storm water run-off before discharging it safely into the pristine sea.

Infrastructure is state-of-the-art to sidestep a compromise between convenience and sustainability.

Electrical power systems are underwater or in-ground; solar-powered reverse osmosis plants turn seawater into fresh drinking water; a fleet of electric carts allow zero-emission free

movement; buildings even have turtle friendly LED lighting. This is a complex designed with Mother Nature in mind.

In keeping with the meticulous planning given to this world-class development, there is also a Beach Club, multiple ocean-front restaurants and three pools all set upon a tranquil bay with powdery soft sand and a protected coral reef teeming with aquatic life just waiting to be explored.

If that is not enough, head to the Kids Club, Nut House or Nature Centre complete with an in-house marine biologist. For those in need of a little pampering, the Spa and Wellness Centre offers a full service gym as well as a broad menu of luxurious spa treatments.

More inclined to ocean endeavours?

An 88-slip marina with easy access to every conceivable service makes dockside

living as convenient as possible.

However, if you have not the whim for a permanent piece of paradise, you need not miss out. The Cliffs Suites are three luxury one-bedroom apartments built into the rocky promontory of the southeast cliffs and flooded with natural sunlight. Architect, Doug Kulig, elaborates, “The Cliffs represent life on the wild side of Oil Nut Bay. In keeping with this, the residences were designed as layers of linear structures crafted into the face of the cliffs, with minimal visual impact on the natural beauty of the setting.� Indeed. Views of the shimmering azure waters fill every room thanks to floor-to-ceiling sliding picture windows from Custom Fenestration Products, while wraparound terraces deliver panoramic views of the exquisite beyond, perfect for supping a sundowner. Here, the

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views are so uninterrupted you could be forgiven for imagining you are on the prow of a ship.

Inside, interiors in a palette of creamy coconut, muted mink and rich teak envelop guests in a sense of calm.

“Our inspiration was to create a neutral palate that would be in harmony with nature and compliment the amazing sea views, not compete with them,” says interior designer Pam Johnson. As the wife of Oil Nut Bay’s developer she stepped in to lend her eye for design to the décor, with the simple brief to “make our guests feel as though they are in a luxurious home.”

Above, teeters the pièce de résistance, an expansive Penthouse luxuriously styled with Fendi Casa furnishings. A majestic Murano Via Lattea chandelier hangs in the sitting area above plush leather sofas and views to make the heart leap. Settle into a settee, the enormous sliding doors thrown open to the cool tropical breeze, the infinityedge pool seamlessly knitting sky and sea, and you almost melt into the Caribbean mosaic.

Leading from the front, Oil Nut Bay aims to preserve the raw beauty of this exclusive island enclave that grows in harmony with nature, offering luxurious, state-of-the-art living that sits lightly on the earth. Whilst there are many tempting resorts in the region, it would be safe to wager this is the one that would seduce Columbus.

“This is a complex designed with Mother Nature in mind.”

in harmony

with nature Famed for its crystalline waters, white sand beaches and exotic landscapes, the Caribbean is one of Mother Nature’s greatest assets and fast becoming synonymous with eco-friendly resorts. Whether you are looking for the ultimate family getaway or the perfect secret retreat, the following destinations show just how luxurious going green can be. Words by Caroline Key

The St. Regis Bahía Beach Resort & Golf Club, Puerto Rico A private enclave with two miles of sandy beach, and nestled within native maritime forest, Bahía Beach Resort lends an unrivaled dimension to sustainable luxury. Perfectly balanced with its lush surroundings, this stunning 483-acre resort and golf club that is home to the sumptuous St. Regis Hotel and offers residential options, adheres to the highest standards of environmental conservation. A gold-level Audubon

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International Signature Sanctuary, over 65% of the property has been preserved, giving way to flourishing wildlife zones and numerous nature trails. Home to over 70 acres of lakes and the EspĂ­ritu Santo River, one can enjoy aquatic adventures from kayaking and canoeing to fishing and bird watching tours.

There is even an environmental outreach tour at the Nature Centre with an in-house marine biologist for those wanting to get closer to nature. And for those who wish to call this idyllic haven home, either permanently or for just a few days, The Residences offers unique programmes with the opportunity to enjoy this peaceful paradise. www.bahiabeachpuertorico.com >

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34 | IN HARMONY WITH NATURE

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, USVI A heavenly hideaway tracing the tranquil waters of Great Bay, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas places paradise within easy reach thanks to an exclusive selection of luxury amenities. Recipient of the prestigious Blue Flag ‘best eco-beach’ award, the miles of private, crystal-white shoreline, lavish guest rooms, decadent dining and an award-winning Mediterranean-styled spa make this resort the ultimate green lifestyle destination. Firmly rooted in sustainability, this Ritz-Carlton outpost is also taking great steps to raise awareness of the fragile beauty it calls home. Now offering Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Programme, which emphasises education and respect for environmental sustainability, as well as environmental workshops, eco-adventures and cultural activities on a daily basis, this Virgin Islands glamour destination is clearly in harmony with nature. www.ritzcarlton.com

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IN HARMONY WITH NATURE | 35

Beaches, Turks & Caicos Situated on one of the world’s best beaches, here you and your family can unwind in five star, allinclusive comfort, all while helping the environment. Boasting twelve gorgeous miles of pristine coastline, its very own Pirate’s Island water park and endless fun for all the ages, this stunning eco-conscious resort features energy saving timers throughout, recycles over 90% of its water and donates organic waste to the local farming community. What is more, Beaches Turks & Caicos is EarthCheck certified and actively promotes green initiatives and sustainable living to schools and youth groups in the area. www.beaches.com >

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36 | IN HARMONY WITH NATURE

EMBRACE Resort, The Bahamas Set to a stunning backdrop of tropical paradise, EMBRACE Resort, on secluded Staniel Cay, is only a breathtake away from Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and the private island hideaways of some of Hollywood’s super-elite. The ultimate Bahamian escape, this boutique eco-property features seven unique villas (each named after and designed to mimic a particular Bahamian island), and comes complete with a full-service spa, fitness centre, restaurant and conference facility. Built under the guidance of an environmental consultant, EMBRACE uses low-to-no VOCs paint, dual flush low-water toilets and locally sourced, natural dÊcor throughout. With four villas due to open this July, and the grand opening set for March 2014, EMBRACE is an eco-chic idyll you will not want to miss. www.embraceresort.com

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Turks And Caicos Preferred TurksAndCaicosProperty.com

Stargazer Villa

Regent Palms Resort

One of the most breathtaking luxury villas in the Caribbean.

6HW RQ ODYLVKO\ ODQGVFDSHG DFUHV ZLWK IHHW RI beach this 7 BR estate has 15,000 sq. ft. of “air-conditioned interior living spaceâ€? and an incredible line up of amenities including: the islands’ only observatory dome; choice of LQÂżQLW\ SRROV VHDW FLQHPD VW\OH KRPH WKHDWUH GDQFH VWXGLR J\P Ă€RRG OLW WHQQLV FRXUW DQG MDFX]]L 6LPSO\ PDJQLÂżFHQW

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Real Estate Bernadette Hunt cell ~ 649 231 4029 | tel ~ 649 941 3361 Bernadette@TurksAndCaicosProperty.com

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Seven Stars Resort

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2 BRs from $1,099,000

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Three Cays Villa

The Alexandra Resort

Price recently reduced! 4,000 sq ft, 4BR, 2 storey 0HGLWHUDQQHDQ VW\OH YLOOD ZLWK IW RI RFHDQIURQW DQG SLFWXUH SHUIHFW YLHZV RI 3URYRœV VRXWK VKRUH 6WHHS SLWFKHG URRÀLQHV FUHDWH VRDULQJ FDWKHGUDO FHLOLQJV DERYH WKH JUHDW URRP ZKLFK IHDWXUHV VSHFWDFXODU ÀRRU WR FHLOLQJ bookcasing and a library ladder. Short-term vacation rental revenue earner.

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Studio $199K; 1BRs from $325K; 2BRs from $525K

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TURKS & CAICOS PROPERTY Boutique Real Estate Brokerage

Haven &Earth Connect with Mother Nature without sacrificing the earth at these four top-notch Caribbean havens that prove nature lovers and luxury resorts can coexist. Words by Maria Carter

SURFSONG, BVI Consider the masterminds behind boutique resort, Surfsong, stewards of the land. In creating this dreamy waterfront enclave of seven one-, two- and three-bedroom private villas, builders took great care to work around pre-existing trees and incorporate other natural elements. The result has an integral feeling, as if the hotel is a long-time fixture of the landscape.

Environmental responsibility is an ongoing mission; bathrooms boast BeeKind products (formulated sans artificial colours or dyes and packaged in eco-friendly materials, with proceeds benefiting bee research) and guests can get in touch with Mother Nature by planting a mangrove tree on guided hikes, enjoying a sunset yoga class or gently paddle-boarding through mangrove habitats. After the day’s activities, guests are invited to enjoy the easy-going charm of this earth-friendly resort’s effortless service from a beachside hammock or tree-shaded courtyard. www.surfsong.net

STRAWBERRY FIELDS TOGETHER, Jamaica Strawberry Fields Together has been a go-to getaway for those seeking seclusion and closeness with nature since opening in the 1970s. Encompassing 18 acres on Jamaica’s north coast, it features two private beaches, cottage lodgings (including luxury guesthouses), a farm and on-site dining with a menu of house-made American and Jamaican specialties crafted with locally-sourced ingredients when possible. Strawberry Fields caters to an adventurous crowd, straying from typical tourist haunts to offer unique interactions with the surrounding community: go deep sea fishing with a native fisherman, attend a church service, shop at the Annotto Bay Market or dine at the home of a local family. The property also specialises in eco treks such as its signature River Water Therapy tour – a hike down a mountain gorge to a river and waterfalls, followed by sunbathing, a picnic lunch, a relaxing hydro-massage and swimming. www.strawberryfieldstogether.com

W RETREAT & SPA, VIEQUES ISLAND, Puerto Rico The first W Retreat & Spa in North America has one mission: to make everyday stress “recede with each wave.” A tall order to fill, but with a 6,000-square-foot full-service spa and all the amenities we have come to love about W – a welcome lounge at the airport, delectable on-site dining comprised of locally-sourced seasonal ingredients, multi-level infinity pools and its signature Whatever/Whenever service promising “whatever you want, whenever you want it”– this Vieques Island getaway is well-equipped to do so. Naturally, the hotel’s lush surroundings command reverence, and activities like eco tours of the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay, nearby Bio Bay, as well as guided excursions around the island and complimentary sunrise kayaking treks, pay due respect. www.wvieques.com

SECRET BAY, Dominica At the heart of Secret Bay’s enclave of luxurious villas and bungalows is a desire to minimise environmental impact – it is evident everywhere, from eco-friendly building materials to energy efficient operations and hyper-local organic food. No wonder, with breathtaking natural beauty found at every turn from the hotel’s dramatic cliffside property: Tibay Beach, Secret Beach, Cario River, a hidden sea cave and two microclimates are all within a stone’s throw. The resort’s Adventure and Nature packages especially highlight this flora and fauna, giving guests access via their Hiker’s Paradise package comprised of the gurgling sulphur waters of Boiling Lake (the second largest of its kind) and fantastic vistas at Morne Diablotin, the highest mountain in Dominica. www.secretbay.dm

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rise&grind time to

Rohan Marley stirs it up as he takes his own brand of Marley Coffee beyond the buzz in a quest for a cup with a cause.

Words by Juliet Austin

Photography courtesy of www.marleycoffee.co.uk

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on of Jamaica’s late, great Bob Marley, former professional American footballer and entrepreneur Rohan Marley’s latest role is less about being seen, than about the bean scene at his 52-acre coffee farm, high up in Jamaica’s legendary Blue Mountains. Having bought land in 1999, Marley co-founded Marley Coffee in 2007 with friend, Shane Whittle, launching a unique brand of artisan roasted organic coffee inspired by his reggae heritage, Rastafarian beliefs and the express hope of creating a cup with a cause. With positive vibrations taking his black nectar from strength to strength, the son of the Reggae King looks set to become the kingpin of Jamaica’s thriving coffee culture.

True to the values passed down from his father, along with his quest for the holy grail of the ‘perfect cup,’ came the need to create “the taste of a brighter tomorrow” that would better the lives of coffee growing communities on his native soil and across the globe. Blending home-grown beans and those sourced from Central America and Ethiopia, Marley Coffee’s three premium specialty coffees promise not only rich, smooth flavours and intoxicating aromas, but a cup of Joe guaranteed to meet the growing demands of educated consumers for stricter environmental, social and ethical standards. As Marley asserts, “It doesn’t matter who you are, it matters how you are.”

Feeling a deep spiritual connection both to the land of milk and honey that his father once farmed and to the plateaus of Ethiopia, birthplace of his Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie I (and where goatherd, Kaldi, is alleged to have first discovered Arabica coffee after a legendary goatly gambol), Marley’s commitment to organic, sustainable and ethical practices is underpinned by a philosophical adherence to the Rastafarian creed of Ital, whereby all things are Pure, True and Vital.

After ten years travelling the world, researching the best

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principles, technologies and methods of organic farming, and letting his ideas percolate to perfection, coffee plants on the Marley estate are shade-grown, carefully cultivated in ‘takin’it-slow’ style. Picked, pulped and hand-sorted by local farmers paid a living wage twice the going rate, the beans grow under a rainforest canopy at an elevation of 3,000 feet. Respectful of biodiversity, a veto on synthetic chemical pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers and additives ensures healthy soil, nullifying the risk of contaminating the Spanish River running through the property and supporting the habitat of migratory birds. There are even plans to host ecotourism groups to pay forward the practices of sustainable living.

“Our goal is to turn Jamaica into an organic movement,” Marley states, “to empower people, so my farmers are able to have shares in the company.”

Business to Marley is about community; giving back to the people. Started by Marley Coffee, the Kicks for a Cause Foundation is funded through sales’ donations, helping to enrich and inspire the lives of underprivileged children in coffee-producing communities like Jamaica. He is also a tireless supporter of 1Love.org, the not-for-profit organisation established by his family with a mission to promote happiness and prosperity by focusing on children, by providing nutritional food and education; the planet, by living green and engaging in sustainability; and peace, by always working for the greater good.

It was eighteenth century philosopher, Sir James MacKintosh, who maintained that the quantity of coffee drunk was directionally proportional to the powers of a man’s mind. So, how does Rohan Marley take his? Known to drink endless cups, he has used his genius to cultivate a breed of consumer ready to wake up and smell a new era of coffee with a conscience. Oh, and for the record, he takes his straight black.

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coco nuts Words by Natalia Taylor

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othing sums up a tropical vacation quite like coconuts do. They are the very essence of palm fringed beaches and afternoons spent gently swaying in hammocks; they are the fragrance of suntan lotion and the flavour of exotic cuisine. For visitors from cooler climes, coconuts symbolise sunshine and sea breezes, lazy days and sultry nights. But for the people who are native to the lands where coconuts thrive, they are much more than romantic scenery – they are part of the fabric of life.

Over the centuries people in those regions have learned to use every part of the tree and its fruit productively, turning trunks into posts and columns in the construction of simple homes; weaving the fronds into roofing, mats and baskets; spinning the fibre from the husks into rope; and carving and polishing the shells into utensils and decorative pieces.

Today the graceful silhouette of the coconut palm is synonymous with the Caribbean, and every island boasts its share of restaurants, hotels and resorts named after the tree or its fruit.

In the past indigenous people of the Caribbean planted palm trees to mark the boundaries of their property, and to this day, in an effort to keep development in check, on many islands no building may be taller than a coconut palm.

But it is the coconuts themselves – which are technically seeds, not fruits – that are the real wonder.

Although throughout the Tropics the water, milk, oil and meat from the coconut is a staple food, as well as a beauty aid, in the West it has long been maligned for its high saturated fat content.

New research has turned this attitude on its head, however, with

the finding that the medium chain triglycerides in coconut oil may aid in weight loss and help lower blood pressure as well as having anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and a host of other healing properties.

Moreover, coconut water – the clear liquid found inside young green coconuts – is not only completely sterile but also has the same pH as the human body, making it so bio-compatible that it has been used intravenously in the place of plasma to rehydrate casualties in remote regions.

Those who have lived their lives among coconut palms do not need scientific studies to prove to them the value of this tree – they already know it to be true. Bit by bit, the rest of the world is catching on and going nuts for coconuts.

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60 | CAYMAN’S BLACK MAGIC MAN REAL REPORT

The economy of Building gReen

By Robert Towell, Chartered Architect, RIBA, of Robert Towell Architects

y definition, green architecture and design is an approach to building which minimises harmful effects on our health and the environment. It attempts to protect our air, water and the planet by specifying eco-friendly building materials and construction practices that minimally impact the environment. As energy costs in the region and around the globe continue to skyrocket, but building costs for sustainable materials and products continue to drop, and the public becomes increasingly greensavvy, building in harmony with nature is becoming a more cost-effective solution to reduce our impact on the earth. With the facts as they are, we can no longer afford not to consider green design.

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GOING GREEN TO SAVE GREEN With the global economy slowly recovering, resources becoming scarcer and energy costs soaring, architects, engineers, developers and building owners have been forced to re-evaluate past design fundamentals for new and existing residential and commercial projects. There are two costs associated with building: the cost to construct and the yearly operational costs. The general consensus is that while green building may initially cost more during the construction phase, owners will quickly recoup that additional investment through lower operating costs while adding investment

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value now and into the future. However, not all green projects include the same characteristics. Being green is a change in mind-set rather than a checklist.

WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT When considering a green project some obvious building techniques utilised in

property value is increased due to the ever-rising demand for energy efficient projects. Potential buyers invest knowing their utility and maintenance costs will be lower in green buildings; commercial occupancy levels will remain higher; and the building will retain a high resale value if it includes sustainable design components.

EDUCATING CONSUMERS A carbon footprint is defined as: The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, typically expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).

The carbon footprint of U.S. households is about 5 times greater than the global average, which is approximately 10 tons CO2 per household per year.

the Caribbean include the use of solar energy systems, wind power, geothermal heat pumps for air conditioning and liquid propane gas (LPG) as an alternative to electricity. Other solutions to lower operational costs include water-saving toilets, low-flow faucets and showerheads, tank-less water heaters, energy efficient windows and doors, better-insulated wall assemblies, Energy Star appliances, and high efficiency AC systems. By incorporating green techniques into the building,

Green design does not mean compromising on quality or design standards. Today, there is an overabundance of aesthetically pleasing, design-forward products that offer quality whilst being kind to the planet. An architect educated in ecofriendly methods can offer a myriad of recommendations and solutions, providing the owner with comfort and confidence while adding increased durability, as well as energy and water efficiency to produce a smaller environmental footprint and an architecturally pleasing project.

With many methods for designing a green residential or commercial project that will ultimately save money, offer greater return on investment (ROI) and reduce impact on the environment, we in the Caribbean and throughout the world must look to move forward with these savvy solutions. By building greener you are making the right decision for your wallet, your family, and the environment.

62 | CAYMAN’S BLACK MAGIC MAN

to fab

from drab

Finally getting their due, prefabricated homes offer a promising new option for those wanting a headache-free build in the Caribbean.Words by Juliet Austin. Photos by John Swain for www.bluhomes.com.

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ried to make me go to prefab and I say, no, no, no…’ Ever associated with homogenous post war estates and chockfull trailer parks, prefabricated homes smack of factory assembly lines and cookie cutter mass production. Or so they once did. With a growing number of über-luxe modular homes popping up across the globe, the Caribbean may want to think twice about construction’s unlikely comeback kid as it gives the traditional build a run for its money.

For decades, designers striving to harness the power of industry to

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provide functional, affordable and easy-to-build dwellings dabbled with the concept of prefabrication. Despite popularity in the US of modular and kit homes in the first half of the twentieth century, it is only now that prefabs are making the leap into the high-design market, some with multi-million dollar price tags. As the winds of change blow away misconceptions past, there comes a new generation of prefabs, resilient enough to withstand hurricanes and design savvy enough to ace any eco-fabulous checklist without compromising functionality or wow factor.

Characterised by modern lines and clarity of form, today’s pre-made living spaces offer a wealth of advantages over traditional construction methods.

Versatile and customisable, they are manufactured in high quality controlled environments prior to transportation in complete sections for on-site assembly and installation. Eliminating exposure of lumber and building materials to harsh environmental elements, components are better sealed, rendering the risks associated with mould, mildew and wood rot damage less problematic.

Moreover, building offsite safeguards the construction process against being

held to ransom by seasonal weather cycles (rainy season, hurricane season). Delivering standardised precision and consistency, tried and tested methods mean problems are resolved before onsite installation commences, saving homeowners both time and money.

For those in island communities or remote locations, the practicalities of ordering a pre-made home make it especially viable. In a one-stop-shop, modular and kit homes are shipped directly to the site, with the option to include appliances and furnishings to boot. Also, some companies offer complete support packages through

design and construction phases to house completion, including provision for a project manager and design coordinator to liaise with local builders and ensure labour efficiency and proficiency; streamlined and managed costs; and a faster, quality controlled build.

As for the green agenda, the very notion of prefabrication contains an inherent capacity for sustainability – a central value of many contemporary companies. Intelligently designed by green-minded architects and designers and incorporating the latest innovative technologies, this perfect union promises a sea change in

attitudes, casting the former enfant terrible as the new golden boy of twenty-first century living. Easing pressure on often limited local resources, natural, sustainably-derived materials, precisely engineered in specially equipped factories, result in high design with low impact. On economy of scale alone, the collaboration between production and design means sourcing and purchasing green materials en masse reduces costs, provides greater quality assurance and ensures minimal material wastage, thereby lightening the ecological footprint.

Like any other custom home, prefabs can be built to stringent LEED certification standards, utilising a full range of eco-responsible technologies to optimise energy efficiency. Homes can even be fitted with flick-of-theswitch customised automated systems capable of regulating use of light, heat, fresh air and shade, to make today’s prefabs fab for those residing in coastal climes and tropical locales.

Reflecting upon the renaissance of eco-responsible, luxury prefabs and their suitability to the Caribbean, we are challenged to reject “just-anotherbrick-in-the-wall” thinking. Prefab home? Say yes, yes, yes!

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64 | MUST-HAVES

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Words by Nelisa Wuilliez

Photos courtesy of www.caribbeanbotanicaldesigns.com

Gardening with the environment in mind

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he term ‘Caribbean landscaping’ often conjures images of lush, green, rainforest-like gardens with morning dew on the leaves. However, if you are not fortunate enough to live in the shadow of a tropical rainforest, this might not be a possibility. Water resources on some islands are scarce and on others, there are no perennial streams or rivers to provide fresh water.

Island nations such as The Bahamas and Antigua import fresh water via tank ships, while countries like Barbados and the Virgin Islands rely on expensive desalination plants to process fresh water for everyday use, which often includes landscape irrigation. It is no wonder then, that homeowners and landscape designers in the region are looking for the most cost effective and environmentally friendly ways to maintain their

gardens. Xeriscaping is one approach gaining momentum that can be used to maintain a beautiful garden whilst conserving water.

Derived from the Greek word for ‘dry’, xeriscaping is also called ‘dry gardening’ and is fundamentally about water conservation. Originally developed for water-restricted areas, it has found broad appeal as water becomes an ever more limited resource across the globe – it is purported to reduce landscape water use by fifty to seventy-five percent.

What is more, as xeriscapes do not have one particular look, and the principle can be applied to both new and existing landscapes, it seems the appeal of dry gardening is gaining ground swell.

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF XERISCAPE DESIGN: CONSIDER YOUR GARDEN Planning and design are fundamental aspects, especially for new landscapes.

Spend a day getting to know your yard.

Make note of the areas that get sun and shade; consider the contours and drainage patterns; reflect on the use for each area. This will ensure that the right plants are placed in the right areas.

LIMIT YOUR LAWN SIZE Lawns require an immense amount of water, so when possible limit or reduce lawn size and use water-saving grass species adapted to your region.

Photos courtesy of www.caribbeanbotanicaldesigns.com

EFFICIENT IRRIGATION By grouping plants with similar water needs together and using the right type of irrigation, you can greatly reduce water consumption. Also make sure to install moisture sensors so that sprinklers are not on during or after rainfall and use drip-irrigation or soaker hoses as they deliver water at the plant’s base, reducing moisture loss from evaporation.

SOIL ENHANCEMENT Improve soil by adding organic material such as compost. This will help trap moisture as well as help to keep it aerated.

MORE MULCH Mulching is one of the best landscape practices to use with xeriscaping. Not only does it aid soil to retain moisture, it also reduces erosion and helps prevent weeds from taking root. Plus, the Caribbean has some of the best mulch materials available. Chipped coconut husk and discarded cocoa shells make great mulch as well as being inexpensive recyclables.

USE APPROPRIATE PLANTS Make use of local and native plants that are acclimated to your particular region, as they are better suited to tolerate the climate.

LESS IS MORE Xeriscaped gardens require less maintenance, less need for fertilisers and pesticides and can increase property value.

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devotion Cathy Church, Grand Cayman’s pioneering underwater photographer on life under the ocean waves.

Words by Juliet Austin

“I

must be a mermaid,” mused Anaïs Nin. “I have no fear of depths and great fear of shallow living.” Enter Cathy Church, conduit between terrestrial and submarine worlds, whose four-decade-long photographic journey continues to unveil the awe-inspiring mysteries of the deep. A passionate environmentalist and vegan who, “Can’t not care,” she teaches as she goes, preaching preservation and conservation along the way. Recipient of the 1987 NOGI award for Art from the Academy of Arts and Sciences and inducted into the Woman Divers Hall of Fame in 2000 and the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame in 2008, Church has more awards and accolades than you can shake a stick at. Yet, once, hers was a story of closed doors and narrow minds and a drive to go where no woman had gone before.

Church credits her female lineage with instilling an early love of nature.

Unerringly curious, hers was a childhood spent bird watching and pond dipping; launching a Reptiles and Amphibians Club with her brother and, later, in cahoots with her mother, sneaking money from the family food jar to purchase scuba gear. It was her father, however, who, while engendering in her the perfect blend of Science and Art, introduced her to the

harsh reality of being a woman in a man’s world.

Willing and able to turn her hand to anything, the pragmatic Church set her sights on going to college to study Biology, a decision her father would call “an unwarranted assumption.” Believing women’s education to be a waste, he may have been the first to try shutting the door on her ambitions, but, as if lured by the tides, Church strove on. Securing financial sponsorship, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, also learning to SCUBA dive. “I was dating the instructor. There was no scuba certification or PADI. You just jumped in,” she quips… and in many ways, she never came up again.

During her Masters in Marine Zoology at the University of Hawaii, Church’s awe at experiencing her first open water dive at the Hopkins Marine Biology Station in >

First page: Angel Eyes (2006), taken with digital Nikon D2x.

This page, top: Devil's Grotto (1997), custom processed black and white film, printed on silver gelatin and scanned for digital.

This page, bottom: Sea Goddess (1998), on special Kodak underwater film.

Following page, top: Blue Christmas Tree (2002), on Velvia film.

Following page, bottom: Morning Rays (2007), with a wide lens and a digital Nikon D2x camera, at Stingray sandbar. Cathy and a friend slept on the boat overnight so that they could get up with the sun and photograph the rays in the early morning.

Last page, top: Blenny on purple (2004), on Velvia film, taken at La Mesa with a Nikonos RS and 60mm lens.

Last page, bottom: Happy Sponge (2008), taken with a Nikon D2x digital camera.

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70 | CATHY CHURCH – OCEAN DEVOTION

Monterey, California, coincided with meeting future husband, Jim Church, an innovative underwater photographer and diver. Keen to document her work and observe creatures in situ, she joined him in experimenting with land-based camera equipment for work underwater. Soon, a revolution took hold beneath the waves.

Dubbed the ‘Documentary Years’, Church perfected the ‘how to’ of underwater photography. Using old fashioned flash cubes adapted to illuminate the depths, homemade focal framers and light meters sealed in watertight empty peanut butter jars, modified and refined techniques were documented in an underwater guide that brought rarely seen species to the surface, only this time in pictographic form. Yet, the following ‘Editorial’ decade saw her put her skills into action, thanks to another auspicious encounter.

Smiling, Church recalls an alcoholfueled conversation one night. “Jim was leaning against the fridge, listening to a man complain about how underwater photographs failed to intrigue.” The man was Jim Ouxier, Editor of Skin Diver Magazine; the rest was history. With the next fifteen years spent as Contributing Photo Editor for Skin Diver, producing four books and coauthoring hundreds of magazine articles, Church’s innovative images were in high demand “It was the sixties,” she expounds. “No-one had seen these things before.” It would be 1972, however, before Church’s love affair with the Caribbean began.

Invited by friends to their newly established Spanish Bay Reef Resort in Grand Cayman, in exchange for

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accommodation, Church ran a lecture and dive series for guests which, even at this early stage, stressed buoyancy control and reef preservation. Resoundingly successful, she began dividing her time: teaching in California year round and running Super Courses in the Caribbean each summer.

Committed to safeguarding fragile reef ecosystems, Church’s message was then, as it is today, one of environmental responsibility. Intimately attuned to the underwater environment and the slightest signs of degradation, she began lobbying tirelessly locally and internationally for its protection, showing the world its peerless beauty via her lens. In 1988, Cayman became permanent home to her eponymously named company, Cathy Church’s Photo Centre and Gallery at the Sunset House Hotel and Church’s photographs entered the realm of high art.

Studying with John Sexton, assistant to famed landscape photographer, Ansel Adams, the artistic language of Church’s fourth decade was black and white.

“Black and white translates colour, allowing the imagination to fill in the gaps,” she enthuses. Each work attested to Church’s skill in the darkroom, measuring and mixing chemicals, handling intricate equipment and complex zone systems. Watch her describe this process and you realise, gone are the days of the documenter; here stands an artist. Immersed, she gazes into her work with mesmerising intensity: hand following the rhythm of her composition; fingertips tracing textures and tones as if for the first time.

Despite a severe blow dealt by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Church’s indomitable spirit remains undeterred. Now

compiling an, ‘Imagination Collection’, Church has rebuilt her photo empire, embracing the new era of digital with its capability and freedom to reshoot infinitely. “I didn’t know it at the time,” she reflects, “but I gained more than I lost.” No longer concerned solely with subject, her latest works explore more abstract themes of pattern and form in macro detail, engaging the imagination in the process of becoming.

Sharing her passion as the world’s foremost authority on underwater photography, Church leads as she has always done, never losing her childlike zeal: a legend in her lifetime, always learning, always caring, always paying it forward. At heart a teacher, she illuminates the depths, shining her light so that others may see. “I share every single thing I learn with everyone I meet. For me, there are no secrets.”

Celebrated fly-fishing guide, Charlie Smith, casts a spell from The Bahamas.

Words by Laura Collacott.

Photography by www.grossenbacherphoto.com

or years, legendary fly-fishing guide Charlie Smith has been helping the prosperous and the powerful escape the day-to-day pressures of their lives from his Bahamian island of Andros, which is both his home and one of the world’s premier bonefishing destinations. With plenty of shallow saltwater flats between islands offering a groaning smorgasbord of goodies for a bonefish, a popular target for sports fishermen, anglers flock from around the world to take advantage of these fertile fishing grounds.

Wiley creatures, bonefish are known for lightning fast flights and particular eating habits. It is not easy to catch a bonefish and Crazy Charlie (as he is known) should know.

He has been stalking them with impressive success since he was just six years old.

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Born on Grand Cay, Abaco in 1936, Charlie learnt to fish because at that time “people only fished and farmed. I enjoyed all fishing but hardly nobody was bonefishing so I went into it.”

By aged 10 he was taking clients on off-shore and game fishing trips and he knows the local waters and marine life like the back of his hand. He practically guarantees his clients a catch: “If you go in the boat with me, you’re gonna catch fish.”

It is a boast backed up by fact. The lucky can even land a ‘double digit bone’, the name given to trophy fish above 10lb.

A professional guide since 1960, Charlie spent stints as a heavy equipment operator, yacht captain, professional chef (for a lengthy 25 years) and musician, but it was to fishing that Charlie always returned. He proudly recounts to anyone who

“Da flats are callin’” will listen that he was the first Bahamian to establish his own fishing lodge – Charlie’s Haven. Today the Bang Bang Club on Pot Cay, his second lodge, is famous among presidents, prime ministers and passionate anglers for its world-class flycasting and will soon host a prestigious university aimed at teaching students about tourism and conservation.

Revolutionising the industry with a legendary fly that bears his sobriquet, you would be hard pressed to find a fisherman anywhere across the globe without a ‘Crazy Charlie’ in their bait box. What started as a bundle of thread, wire, beads and chicken feathers to serve in the absence of crab bait is now sold around the world, even if Charlie still fashions his own.

Now 77 years of age, the ever confident and charismatic Charlie, who pioneered saltwater fly-fishing in the Caribbean, showing celebrities from George Bush Senior and the Rat Pack to Jack Hemingway the sweetest spots to land a catch, has since handed the baton to his son, Prescott Smith, owner of Andros island based Stafford Creek Lodge.

The fly-fishing fever does not end there though. Many of his children work in the industry, either as lodge owners or behind the scenes, unable to unhook from the exhilarating sport.

A thrill no longer limited to the upper echelons, “Originally it was a sport for Kings and Royalty,” Charlie notes, “but now all folks are enjoying the sport.” And it is clear to see why.

“One time I was fishing an angler from Martinique and we hooked a tarpon in Loggerhead Creek on the West coast of Andros,” Charlie recalls. “All of a sudden the 80-plus pound tarpon leaped out of the water onto the bank, only to find a 16-foot hammerhead shark put half of his body out of the water on the bank, grab the tarpon, drag it back into the water and eat in two bites.”

And with that Charlie takes his leave, “Da flats are callin’.”

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creatures

WEST INDIAN FLAMINGO With long, stick-like legs and a down-turned beak, the pink-plumed beauty is hard to miss. A shy bird that favours remote lagoons with rather desert-like conditions, it is the national bird of The Bahamas. Almost hunted to extinction in the 1950’s for its brilliant feathers and meat, it is now illegal on the isle to harm, capture or kill it.

A filter feeder, and the only bird to feed with its bill upside down, it dines on microscopic plants and animals that are rich in beta-carotene and provide flamingos with their distinct cotton candy colour.

To view the bird in its natural habitat visit: www.bahamas.com/islands/inagua

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Flamingo photo by Michaeline Moloney

THE BAHAMAS

BARBADOS

GREEN MONKEY Seen frolicking in treetops across the island, the Barbados Green Monkey was brought to the isle in the 1600s from West Africa.

Generally moving in troops of fifteen to twenty, males switch family groups several times during their lifetime, whilst females stay with the same group for life.

Munching on nuts, grasses and fruits, their favourite food is the dunk – a small apple-like fruit.

Many monkeys on island call The Barbados Wildlife Reserve home, even though they are free to leave the reserve and often do so during the day to forage for food.

To visit, call: (246) 422 8826.

CAYMAN ISLANDS

BLUE IGUANA Grand Cayman’s largest native land animal, the Blue Iguana grows to over five feet and can live up to 69 years in captivity.

A highly endangered species (it is estimated there are 750 existing in the wild), the vegetarian reptile prefers dry, rocky forests with ample sunshine and sandy areas.

Unable to create urine, they excrete nitrogenous wastes through a lateral nasal salt gland in a similar fashion to birds and have a photosensory ‘third eye’ atop their head that assists in evading predators.

They are under great pressure due to habitat destruction and predation from rats and feral cats and dogs.

Learn more at: www.blueiguana.ky

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US VIRGIN ISLANDS

BAT The only native mammal to St. John, three of six bat species are under legal protection – the red fig-eating bat is currently endangered. The greater bulldog, with a two-foot wing span, is known to directly grab fish from the water for consumption.

Key pollinators, they play an important role in scattering seeds for fruit-bearing trees and shrubs by way of their guano. They also help reduce insect levels – a single bat can ingest 1,000 mosquito-sized bugs each evening.

The often maligned mammal once played a central role in the spiritual and cultural lives of the Tainos, as indicated by cave carvings. The petroglyphs can be seen on Reef Bay Trail, St. John.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

COQUÍ TREE FROG Once found across all BVI, the frog, which is about one inch in size, is now restricted to Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Great Dog. Known for its loud double call (that sounds like ‘coqui’), the Coquí lacks a membrane between its toes, meaning it is not adapted to swim. Unlike most frogs that lay eggs in the water and hatch tadpoles, the female Coquí lays her eggs on the leaf of a bromeliad from which miniature adult versions hatch. The tiny amphibian is threatened with extinction as a result of habitat degradation and conversion, as well as predation from introduced animals like the mongoose and rats.

To learn more call: (284) 494-2069

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CREATURES OF THE CARIBBEAN | 79

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

GREEN TURTLE Around before dinosaurs, the Green Turtle is amongst the largest turtles in the world and can weigh up to 700 pounds.

Herbivores, they are known to travel vast distances between feeding and breeding sites, and are named for the colour of their skin, not their shells.

The TCI Turtle Project has tracked a trio of turtles since 2009 to foster a greater understanding of their movements and breeding grounds. With turtle nests and nesting females now protected under TCI law, it appears the project has made headway.

To track the turtles or learn more visit: www.mcsuk.org/turtletracking or www.seaturtle.org

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