Builders Jamaica December - March 2022

Industry news
Photo: Design Collaborative Limited
The New Jamaica Houses of
Parliament comes to Heroes Park
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Since Jamaica’s Independence in 1962, its seat of
democracy, the Houses of Parliament (HOP) have been
hosted at the George William Gordon House. Though
meant to be a temporary arrangement, Jamaica’s upper
and lower houses continue to meet at its Duke Street,
Downtown Kingston home. Now, some 59 years later, the
new Houses of Parliament is set to be constructed in the
National Heroes Park. This modern, purpose-built building
will serve not only to improve the effectiveness of Parliament
but to establish itself as an iconic symbol of a Government
for the People of Jamaica in the heart of its capital city.
The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has the
privilege to lead as project managers on behalf of the
Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, aiding with
the planning and development of this project of national
importance. Known for spearheading and executing largescale
developmental ventures in its designated areas, the
UDC has taken the HOP project through all the preliminary
design elements, public consultations and is now at the prequalification
stage. This process, which is open until January
3, 2022, has invited suitably qualified firms to prequalify
for the construction of the Houses of Parliament Building.
Set to be built on approximately 10.79 acres of the 50-acre
Park, the project is divided into two main components,
namely, the construction of the Parliament Building and the
rehabilitation of the green spaces in the Park. The benefits
of green spaces to the mental and physical health and
wellness of the public are well established. It is envisioned
that the enhancement of National Heroes Park, will see
a safe, family-friendly park in the Downtown Kingston
community. This project is also expected to have a catalytic
effect on the surrounding areas, resulting in an economic
boost, encouraging the re-development of Downtown.
As part of the Corporation’s commitment to public
engagement and participation in the process, a National
Architectural Design Competition was launched by the UDC
on May 17, 2018. Design Collaborative Limited emerged
as the winner after a public vote. This was announced by
the Most Honourable Prime Minister, Andrew Holness on
March 27, 2019. The winning design ‘Out of Many, One
People’ was conceptualized by the architectural firm Design
Collaborative Limited, which is led by Architect Evan Williams.
The key elements of the HOP design are its sustainability
features. It is designed to be constructed shadowing
the U.S. Green Building Council - Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification.
The sustainable goals for the project were to create a
high-performance product that is informed by Jamaica’s
unique climate and place, is responsive to the local
ecology, and promotes the health and well-being of its
visitors and occupants.
There is little doubt that Jamaicans stand to benefit
greatly from this improved home of public representation.
There is something to be said, too, of the People’s
House located in the People’s Square, standing in the
company of Jamaica’s National Heroes. The history
and national significance of such landmarks marrying
in the capital city of the most iconic Caribbean country
is something that all Jamaicans should look forward to.