Mervyn Awon was born in Trinidad in 1935. He travelled to the UK in 1956, where he undertook an architecture degree at the Regent Street Polytechnic (now University of Westminster), graduating in 1962. He then enrolled in the 1962-63 postgraduate course run by the Architectural Association’s Department of Tropical Studies. Two of his course projects, for a ‘School in Baghdad’ and for 'Low Cost Housing at Pulo Mas, Djakarta’ (both designed jointly with fellow students), were published in the AA Journal of April 1963. Three years later, Awon returned to the Caribbean and began an illustrious career as an architect, working initially in Barbados, with Robertson Ward Associates, but subsequently expanding to Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica. He established his own highly successful practice in Barbados in 1976, with perhaps his most significant work being the Central Bank of Barbados (1980-1986). This ten-story construction was the first high-rise building in Barbados and, situated adjacent to the historic Cathedral of St. Michael and All Angels, in central Bridgetown, caused a degree of controversy during construction. The operation of slip-forming of the 12 structural reinforced concrete tubes (a continuous 24-hour process) becoming something of a local tourist attraction during that phase of the construction. In the words of fellow Barbados architect, Frederick Johnson, “The Bank project showed Caribbean architects in charge of major buildings and had the effect of advancing the architectural profession to the front of public appreciation of what could be locally designed and built. It elevated the profession and inspired many young students to join it.” On the Central Bank project, Awon worked closely with CEP Engineers, led by Tony Gibbs, who also worked on the adjoining Frank Collymore Hall, a concert hall constructed using the CUBIC Space Frame System. The landscaping for the area between the Bank complex and the neighbouring cathedral were carried out by Awon, in conjunction with the acclaimed Brazilian landscape designer, Roberto Burle Marx. Amongst the other major, large-scale works by Mervyn Awon are the Barbados General Post Office, Bridgetown, (1976-1985), the Life of Barbados Building (now Sagicor Life), Wildey (1990) and the headquarters of the Barbados Industrial Development Corporation (BIDC), Bridgetown. According to his colleague, Frederick Johnson, “Mervyn’s work was about poured concrete, golden section proportioned areas of glazing and clear structural organisation of concrete columns and beams… What was interesting was the use of the same themes, materials and proportions on later designs for small scale modest houses, where simplicity of column and beam frames, plus mono coloured treatments of elements and materials were repeated.” Prime amongst these small projects are Awon’s ‘Villa Dundo’, at Rock Dundo.’ In 2021 Mervyn was awarded FBIA in honour of his work in Barbados. In addition to his architectural work, Mervyn is an active art collector and has made significant contributions in promoting local artists and art in Barbados.

Sources

• Architectural Association Council Minutes, 13th February, 1963. AA Archives
• The National Archives, London, England, UK; Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and Successors: Inwards Passenger Lists; Class: Bt26; Piece: 1364; Item: 42
• Architectural Association Journal, April 1963, pp302-309
• Awon, Mervyn A. ‘A Modernist Endeavour in Barbados.’ Edited by Gustavo Luis Moré. Caribbean Modernist Architecture: Archivos de Arquitectura Antillana, no. 34 (1 September 2009): pp184–97.
• Awon, M. ‘Modern Architecture in Barbados’,: Caribbean Modernist Architecture Symposium (February 29th to March 1 2008): Panel Four: Mervyn Awon., UTech Jamaica / Docmomo Symposium, Jamaica, 2008. Accessed 5th July, 2025: https://www.moma.org/multimedia/audio/56/1091.
• Personal correspondence with Frederick Johnson, 27th July – 7th August, 2025
• Personal correspondence with The Hon. Tony Gibbs CHB FREng, 11th July - 1st Aug, 2025.