Government House Restoration Initiative
Preservation Green wrote the successful application to the World Monuments Fund, and the building is now on the World Watch List 2018, the second property in the entire Caribbean to receive this accolade. The property contains the largest extant structure for enslaved persons in the Caribbean, and has become the focus of international attention as it represents cutting-edge approaches to historic preservation in times of climate change as well as unique approaches to community involvement and capacity building.
Launched in 2016, the Government House Restoration Initiative represents global collaboration on a new level, with Preservation Green specialists partnering with Antiguans and Barbudans to save the interior and exterior environments of the property.
Our collaboration began earlier in 2014, with a masterplan for the property. At the time, it suggested that the buildings be demolished. Preservation Green brought in U.K. building conservationist Alexandra di Valmarana who worked with the team to help preserve the buildings. Together they created the first LEED-registered property, and at the same time made a case to save the Georgian structure.
The collaboration included architects, conservationists, gardeners, and the leading neurosurgeon, Dr. Caitlin Hoffman from NY Hospital, who traveled to Antigua and Barbuda and worked with Preservation Green on a design for a therapeutic garden at Government House to work with the differently abled and help people with chronic stress disorders. They also worked closely with members of Her Majesty’s Prison Rehabilitation Programme to train persons in historic building construction methods such as lime mortar.
