melon : design / architecture

Melon part of design collective team selected to vision the new state of the art sports, heritage, and hospitality centre for Cricket West Indies.

“We were hugely impressed by the quality of all the responses for our Request for Proposals... The winners have shown exceptional talent and promise, and aligned well with CWI’s vision to create a uniquely West Indian and world class cricket and heritage centre.”
- Ricky Skerritt, President of CWI and Chairman of CCG.

Read more here:
https://www.melondesign.net/post/melon-part-of-team-selected-to-vision-the-new-centre-for-cricket-west-indies

Lines

Below//Above

Lift.

Yes, the bottom panel slides up (using the top panel as a counterweight, so perfectly balanced you can move it with a finger), creating direct, seamless connection to the outside, and ample fresh air.

Design by Pani Patsalos of melon : design / architecture

Happy Monday! We hope that you're all keeping well and able to make the most of time at home in these strange and stressing times. As everything around the world shuts down because of "the 'rona" and shifts to working from distance, as have we, some of us have taken it even further: Seán is in day 12 of self-quarantine in Berlin (and fine and symptom free) after a client of ours tested positive after a meeting. Flights are cancelled, so for the time being it seems we'll have a Berlin office as well. In the meantime we found this article, which even if you're not an architect might offer some random helpful tips for home-working (or maybe using that little bit of extra time that you now have now you're not commuting?! We try to look in the bright side). Wishing you all the best and we hope that you're able to spend this time with loved ones, and find some positivity in this time of uncertainty.
https://www.archdaily.com/936082/tips-for-architects-working-at-home-during-covid-19

Tips for Architects Working At Home During COVID-19 We have compiled a list of tips and advice for architects working remotely at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We're looking for a freelancer proficient in Vectorworks to work on some new projects about to kick off. Applicants should have a good eye for detail and detailing. Preferably Saint Lucia based, but we will consider remote working as well. Drop us an email with your details and experience to studio(at)melondesign.net if you're interested!

G.J. Adjodha’s 1954 Gaiety building once housed a nightclub, department store and most famously a cinema, and was one of the first buildings built on the brand new William Peter Boulevard.
The Boulevard itself did not exist before the devastating fire of 1948 that razed 80% of Castries, it came as part of the urgent new vision to rebuild Castries and house the 809 families who had lost their shelter.
The new Castries centre masterplan was published less than 9 months after the fire, by John C Rose with Anthony C. Lewis of Trinidad, and introduced new larger city blocks within the original city grid, as well as disrupting the original city grid with elements such as the Boulevard to create a ‘bracketed centre’ to the city.
The Boulevard rapidly became a commercial and entertainment hub in the city with the Gaiety building being the entertainment part, joining the newly built Clarke & Co pharmacy and general store (with the family home above) on the North-East corner diametrically opposite Gaiety on the Boulevard, and Minvielle & Chastanet’s (M&C) department store occupying a city block directly opposite Clarkes. In-between these, more buildings housing merchants with their family homes above their businesses would spring up, bringing life back to the city after the fire.
The Gaiety building became a fulcrum of Castries life, and many who knew Castries in the decades from the 50's onwards would have at least frequented the Cinema, club or retail offerings there. I remember watching Gandhi there in the 80's on a school trip (as well as numerous badly dubbed kung-fu movies).
When we were called on to join the team tasked with revisioning the Boulevard, we knew that the Gaiety building held a strong place in the consciousness of the city; and though in disrepair it still had the architecture of the optimism of rebuilding the city post fire and the classic-retro 'Sterophonic Sound' and 'CinemaScope' lettering running along the frieze below the pediment.
This façade of this part of Castries history we realised could be renovated and become a place for artwork in the future pedestrianised Boulevard, and its ground floor could again become part of the life of the city.
The fire that gutted the building last week is a tragedy, but in the same optimistic spirit that once built it, we deeply hope that this part of Castries history can be salvaged.

.red at our Villa F, St. Lucia

We designed the approach steps to Villa F to be scented with edible herbs and plants, which are starting to grow in. .red choosing some ingredients for later. 🌿

Rooftop sundowners and swings at Villa F 🍹

Just a heads up: We expect (St. Lucia studio) to be closed on Tuesday 27th if approaching Tropical Storm 'Dorian' maintains the current track forecast to hit St. Lucia....