Jamaican architect and historic preservationist Dr Patricia Green has been listed among 100 women architects internationally whose “contribution to the built environment is … acknowledged and celebrated,” by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

She is the only Jamaican to be given that honour and is among the features in RIBA’s recently published book, ‘100 Women: Architects in Practice‘.

Through the book, RIBA explores “the different worlds, different forms of architecture and the place-sensitive approaches” each architect has taken to fulfil their vision through a series of insightful profiles and inspiring imagery.”

The book, RIBA further explains, “celebrates the most influential architects of our day [and] shines a spotlight on leading practitioners from all across the globe. Each has the knowledge and talent to be a household name. This publication aims to play a small part in increasing their visibility by giving their contributions due recognition.”

Green, who attended the recent launch of the book in New York City, also presented a copy of the publication to Culture Minister Olivia Grange.

“My staff and I have recognised that you Pat have embodied in a fulsome manner aspects of the ministerial portfolio of ‘culture’ through architecture; ‘gender’ in your profession as a woman architect; and ‘entertainment’ as being the conceptualiser of the Bob Marley Museum after Rita Marley asked you what to do with 56 Hope Road. It is significant that the launch of this book coincided with the premier of the Bob Marley movie, and the celebration of Reggae month,” said Grange. 

The former head of the Caribbean School of Architecture at the Papine-based University of Technology (UTech), Dr Green lists among her work the conceptualisation and design of the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, which she explains was a response to the late reggae legend’s widow Rita Marley’s vision for commemorating his life and work.

“The Bob Marley Museum represents a legacy vision that Mrs Marley had for Bob and his children. She wanted to ensure that the museum became a legacy project,” said Green, who also worked with Universal Studios to approve all designs for replicating the museum in Orlando, Florida.

The University Bookshop, located on the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), is also one of her designs. Both buildings were chosen to represent her work in the book.

A Jamaica Gleaner columnist whose insightful commentary has served to heighten awareness about the built environment across the island, Green was also a member of one of the team finalists who submitted the “National Flower” design for the new Jamaica Houses of Parliament competition.

Dr. Green received her professional architecture training at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, a master’s degree (MSc) in historic preservation from the University of Pennsylvania, and a PhD from the University of Seville in Spain. She is the only architect with a PhD in Jamaica. 

She is quoted in the book as saying, “My work process is relational and cross-cutting. I hinge my work on historic precedence with a people-centred, culturally relevant, pioneering approach.”