Pioneering Past and Bright of Impactful Research and Scholarly Achievements

“EXCELLENCE THROUGH KNOWLEDGE” P A G E 24 Envisioning a National Music Museum of Jamaica Arch Jacquiann T. Lawton, Faculty of the Built Environment, UTech, Jamaica Arch Kamau Kambui, Urban Development Corporation Since 2011, The Urban Development Corporation of Jamaica (UDC) has been successfully collaborating with of The Caribbean School of Architecture, Faculty of the Built Environment, The University of Technology, Jamaica by participation in the academic study of specific projects. Projects include explorations into the development of strategic sites and architectural programmes that promote an urban renewal of Downtown Kingston. The Tower Street revitalization, A National Music Museum (2013) and The Music Museum of Jamaica (2017) are examples of such. In 2013, the architecture Design Studio 7 investigated the feasibility of a Site annexing the Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre and The Ward Theatre at the heart of Kingston. A project program and concept were developed jointly and adapted to suit the Learning Objectives of the Studio. The Site was perfect for the creation of a Cultural Hub and Urban Centre. Student solutions successfully proposed connectivity of the urban realm and the creation of public space. The results assisted the Corporation’s decision on the feasibility of the Program and Site. In 2016, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Kingston as a Creative City inMusic. With renewed relevance for A National Music Museum of Jamaica, The Caribbean School of Architecture and the UDC working with the Creative Cities Initiative Committee and the Institute of Jamaica had identified a more feasible Site offering the Architectural project as Gateway to Kingston utilizing the Kingston Ice Factory property. The Music Museum of Jamaica (2016) further developed the results of the 2013 study and proposed a new home for cultural activities and the living history of Jamaican Music. The presentation discussed the strategies, strengths and limitations of the Sites and Programmes of use explored in the 2013 and 2016 studies. Further, an exhibition of student projects: A National Music Museum of Jamaica will visualize the possibilities for a Cultural Hub and Gateway into Kingston. Editor’s Note: This presentation was made at the Imagining Kingston Conference, 2017 Arch Jacquiann T. Lawton ArchKamauKambui