IslandMix

The design process has been heavily influenced by the need to be sensitive to the Savannah and its park-like setting.

There has been much misinformation recently circulating about the proposal for the National Carnival Centre in the Queen's Park Savannah.

As the architect on the project I would like to put the record straight and clarify any misconceptions that might exist.

Also being an urban designer, I have always recognised the Savannah as being the finest urban park in the Caribbean.

It is the very heart and soul of our island's Carnival at which the grand performances of this event climax, while the streets and avenues are the arteries and veins along which its revellers pulsate to the syncopation of the music prior to, during and after their departure from this venue.

The Savannah provides a magnificent visual backdrop for the major performance of mas, pan and calypso - Trinidad's New World cultural creations - and is overlooked by the hills of Laventille from which much of the energy and creative life force has emanated to inspire our national Carnival celebration.

For over 60 years the existing Grand Stand facility in the Savannah has been the venue for these climactic presentations of Carnival.

Now that this eyesore of steel, galvanised roofing and concrete is to be replaced with a far more visually pleasing state-of-the-art facility specifically designed for Carnival and other artistic performances (not horse racing) complaints are emanating from certain quarters against this decision.

Unlike its predecessor, this new facility has been designed to sit sympathetically into the Savannah.

A sloping grass bank or berm will encircle the facility, ensuring that it will blend effortlessly into its park-like setting.

Above this grass bank will float a light and festive fabric roof acknowledging the celebratory nature of Carnival. Compare this with the existing Grand Stand with its exposed steel-structure and galvanised sheeting - a distinct improvement.

Add to this, the important fact that the extent of the new building and hard paving cover an even smaller area than the existing facility.

Further, contrary to recently expressed views, the public parking will remain as grassed areas but will be reinforced with geo-fabric mesh and the building will in part be sunken in the ground.

The design process has been heavily influenced by the need to be sensitive to the Savannah and its park-like setting, with the resulting design being organic in shape, with its curved form and multi-panelled fabric roof with openings to induce cross-ventilation.

Other substantial improvements over the existing facility will include:

l Proper acoustics for pan

l A wider stage

l State-of-the-art electronic sound and audio vi sual equipment

l Sophisticated performance lighting for a variety of events

l Unobstructed views of the entire stage area for every spectator (with no columns obstructing spectators' line of sight)

l Proper toilet facilities, food and beverage outlets, a restaurant and snack bars

l Proper facilities for the physically challenged, especially children from institutions such as the St Elizabeth Home who are often unable to visit these facilities due to a lack of special toilets, parking and wheelchair ramp access - all of which will be incorporated into the new facility.

l A facility designed to meet international build ing codes with a fire-rated structure and adequate means of fire escape for 15,000 persons in the event of a fire.

l A Carnival Museum with exciting interactive displays communicating, the history of Trinidad and Tobago's New World creations - pan, calyp so and mas - offering well deserved recognition finally to these art forms which have so substan- tially contributed to our unique identity as a nation.

What has not so far been clearly communicated in the media is that the proposed design for this new facility has been based on a brief or programme of needs arrived at in meetings with the NCC and other prominent Carnival associations and stakeholders.

The conceptual designs prepared last year, have been presented to all these organisations among others, and as architects we have taken note of the constructive comments and criticisms and incorporated them into the evolving design.

This process will continue throughout the detailed design stage. Solutions have also been identified to the ever-present problems of delays between steel bands playing at Panorama, and the traffic jams of bands entering the stage during the Parade of the Bands.

These solutions will be presented to the various Carnival organisations as ideas for their consideration in due course.

The above description and images of the proposed facility attest we believe, contrary to recently stated views in the press, that this new facility will not set a precedent for the destruction of the Savannah which we all cherish. It will simply replace ad hoc poorly designed buildings not fit for the purpose intended, with an attractive state-of-the-art facility that will blend in our view, very comfortably into its Savannah setting and be absolutely fit for the purpose intended.

Indeed rather than desecrating the Savannah we believe this facility will embellish it.

With Trinidad and Tobago increasingly seen as an international destination, I would go so far as saying that the design of the new facility has the potential of putting Trinidad and Tobago on the world map, as the Sydney Opera House did for Australia.

Finally, it has to be recognised that the Savannah is a park for active recreational pursuits - clearly the foremost of these is Carnival.

A dictionary's definition of "recreation" is: "Refreshment of health and spirit by relaxation and enjoyment of a pleasurable exercise/an activity or pastime that promotes this," - and to "recreate": "Indulging in a refreshing and entertaining pastime and enjoyment".

In short, a possible definition of Carnival.

It is interesting to note that a world renowned specialist consultant involved on the project with us has stated: "This project is all the more intriguing since it includes engagement with the oldest and greatest Carnival of them all.

"The colour and vibrancy of the Trinidad Carnival has made it a model for public celebration that is the most imitated festival art form in the world, with a richness and creativity inherent in its irresistible story."

Over time the Savannah has become the symbolic home of Carnival, eagerly looked forward to each year by players, performers and spectators alike - let's keep it that way.

I quite like the design ... hope it all pans out well!

yea the design does look good & I'm always in favor of one that makes it easier for the handicapped to get around.

It looks good.. but I'd rather check it out in person to see how it goings down. We crossed the Savannah stage fro soooo long.. From 1919-2006. That's a long time. To have a new place and new grounds to stomp across.. well.. we'll see.

Hopefully not another Piarco Airport scandal in de making, probably is.

Two things that I don't quite see making much sense.

1) Flowing fabric roof????? huh. Give that thing 3 months in the one rainy season to start looking moldy.

2) "Sloping grass bank"....sounds like at some point you will either be climbing a hill or going down a hill to cross the stage??????

the fabric for these kinda roofs is industrial,treated with some kinda stuff to make it super strong, its not like regular cloth. the Denver airport has one and it withstands all kinda below zero temps, snow, ice, wind ... believe it or not it works great


just thoese two imrpvoements alone sound excellent!

I'm hoping the main stage is not enclosed and it is still going to be out doors. That the roof will open up on to the main stage like a convertable top. The costumes showcase better with natural sunlight.

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I strongly agree with this statement:
"With Trinidad and Tobago increasingly seen as an international destination, I would go so far as saying that the design of the new facility has the potential of putting Trinidad and Tobago on the world map, as the Sydney Opera House did for Australia."

This design is actually really cool but I do hope the stage is still outside. That fabric must look awesome!
I'm glad that I got a change to cross the old Savannah Stage before it is torn down.

I am sure it will look great but I don't quite see this as being feasible in Trinidad.

Yes you can get heavy duty fabric but you also need to be willing to pay for the upkeep of that fabric. This is Trinidad we talking about here. For one the fabric will be cheapest possible and somebody will pocket the money. Then once it is up, there will be no budget to keep it in a proper condition. Look at the airport, the blasted runway had potholes less than a year after it was opened.

This sounds great! I hope that everything works out and the complex is successfully completed.

Such Optimism!!!

LOL, How u doing?

We're having another party this weekend...yuh passing thru?

From what I have seen of the designs, the roof is retractable but the stage is sunken, you approach the stage on a slope and then go down.........

It's an ambitious project, I hope it does turn out as planned but I do not see it being delivered on time.