Brian Anthony Clyde Lewis was born in Trinidad in 1945 and educated at Douai School, Woolhampton, UK, from 1958-1962. He then attended McGill University, in Montreal, Canada (1964), before enrolling on the five-year Diploma course at the Architectural Association (AA), London, from 1965 to 1971. He appears to have excelled at his studies and was awarded the AA Second Year Prize in 1966. His father, Anthony C. Lewis was the founder of a long-established and much respected architectural practice in Trinidad and Tobago, and it was here that Brian went for work experience during his year out in 1969-70. Whilst at the practice, it appears that he was mentored by Ruskin Punch, a graduate of the Architectural Association’s Department of Development and Tropical Studies. As part of his final Diploma year, Lewis elected to study within the same Department, where his tutor appears to have been Mario Novella. His final thesis was on the subject of the ‘Development of the East Indian House in Trinidad’. Indeed, whilst still a student, Lewis won a Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects award for a house he had designed, on Beaumont Road, Maraval, Port of Spain.  Following graduation (with Diploma Honours), Lewis returned to Trinidad and Tobago and joined his father’s practice. Over the subsequent decades Lewis has been at the forefront of managing Anthony C. Lewis Associates (ACLA), developing and expanding the practice. He has contributed to all major projects within the office, overseeing the Gulf City Complex, in San Fernando, Trinidad, and master-planning the Wallerfield campus for the University of Trinidad and Tobago and the British Gas HQ, on St Clair Avenue. Brian retired from practice in 2017.

Sources:

• Architectural Association Student Register 1945-1972, AA Archives
• Architectural Association Diploma Roll Book, 1964-1975, AA Archives
• Architectural Association Registrar’s Student Records, 1970-71. AA Archives
• Lewis, B. ‘Maninkin: The Art and Architecture of Anthony C Lewis.’ ACLA Works, 2009