Lpa History
It all started with our founder Lane Pettigrew, so let's take a look back at his university life and how his time at The University of Sheffield School of Architecture marked a before and after in who he is today, drastically influencing the birth of Lpa Architects.
1975 - 1981
In 1978, The University of Sheffield School of Architecture selected 5 students to participate in an international competition, sponsored by the International Union of Architects (UIA).
Lane Pettigrew was selected as a member of the team.
The UIA design brief called for unique ideas and solutions to rebuild degraded urban communities located in inner city environments.
For the final year of the University Diploma course, Lane Pettigrew chose to write and design his Thesis submission on the study of working Caribbean seaside fishing and market communities, which along with agriculture were the backbone of the Caribbean economy in 1981.
The Thesis contemplated the future of these communities and how they could be maintained as global tourism was growing rapidly, particularly on Caribbean island coastlines which would undoubtably put pressure on the existing peace and tranquility of traditional communities.
The Master’s Thesis design by Lane Pettigrew was a seaside resort located in a working tropical coastal fishing village to achieve integrated tourism by blending visitors with established working communities and residents to foster mutual respect for culture, tradition and develop sustainable tourism.
Tourism was in its infancy in the Caribbean in 1981, but Lane envisaged the day when tourism would become the most important economic driver for Caribbean countries.
The Thesis established a protocol and methodology not to displace centuries old traditional communities, but instead incorporate them with adventure tourism.
Caribbean island economies based on trade, fishing, light manufacturing and agriculture were combined with resort hotel destination facilities creating dynamic integration.
The Master’s Thesis was reviewed and judged by the United Kingdom
Architectural External Board of Examiners.
The Project was exhibited at The Royal Institute of British Architects as one of the notable Thesis submissions from UK Universities in 1981.
It was Awarded a Diploma in Architecture with a Distinction in Design.
Lane Pettigrew since the 1981 Thesis,
was awarded a distinction in design, Lane archieved professional registration in the UK, EU and USA.
HE has practiced architecture for 38 years in the Caribbean and Central America expanding
the vision he first had as a young student at The University of Sheffield.
The Firm, LPA International LLC has completed projects in 29 Countries.
Internationally renowned St. Lucian architect Lane Pettigrew together with his team of architects from Lane Pettigrew Associates (LPA) have created some of the most breath-taking properties not only in St. Lucia, where the name Lane Pettigrew is synonymous with having designed some of the most luxurious resorts and villas on the Island, but across the Caribbean and Central America. LPA design award-winning resorts and residences realise the Caribbean ideal, they understand that island living is a state of mind as much as a place of being. Lane in particular knows the lifestyle intimately because he lives it, such an appreciation for his surroundings enables him to bring precise attention to detail and years of experience to a project, each with its own uniqueness and style.
What is instantly apparent about Lane Pettigrew is his love for what he does; his passion exudes both warmth and charisma. The routes of Lane’s appreciation for Caribbean architecture can be traced back to his grandfather who himself was an architect of considerable note, who worked in the Caribbean.
The Viceroy Sugar Beach, one of the top 50 resorts in the world was designed entirely by Lane including the Rainforest Spa, a remarkable piece of architectural design, a project he is particularly proud of. Built entirely by hand and constructed using centuries old Indian building techniques it is a must see. As to the construction of the Rainforest Spa, “my research in Guyana, Brazil and Suriname to learn this type of handmade construction, using only materials harvested on site and shaped by hand with primitive tools, can only be described as life changing”. Lane knows why we all flock to the Caribbean, “to de-stress and unwind” and his company’s four key elements: Light, View, Space & Garden underpin his design approach. Lane’s philosophy is simple: “keeping it light and airy, colourful, delightful, creating spaces that people enjoy with materials that are natural”.
“You can and should build from within the country you are in, often people are scared of the unknown but the Caribbean is full of natural resources and skilled people, the Caribbean is a resource that people ignore or are not aware of.”
Lane Pettigrew
When asked which is his favourite project, Lane responds that he doesn’t have one as they are all totally different and that he stands by and is very proud of each and every one of the 180 resort and residential projects in 35 Caribbean and Central American countries since LPA was founded in 1985.
Lane has a soft spot for the Western Caribbean which he considers to be the new frontier for future projects.
