Mayers attributes New Year’s award to hard work

If you have been in and around Kingstown, there is little doubt that you have seen or entered some of the structures designed by Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) recipient Moulton Theophilus Mayers.{{more}}

From structures like the National Insurance Services headquarters, the Building and Loan offices, the Reigate building that houses the new Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Curriculum building, the Forestry Division, or the KFC and Super J Arnos Vale supermarket, Mayers, cited for services to architecture and to community work, is the man who conceptualized them and others, earning him a place on the Queen’s 2012 honours list.

“I feel very elated, and I think it’s a very deserved award, and I’m honoured to accept the award from Her Majesty the Queen, and I believe that the award was given because of my years of input into the architectural field, and I still believe that I have some youth and I will continue to work diligently in the field of architecture,” Mayers told SEARCHLIGHT in an interview this week.

The 61-year-old married father of three credited his father Milton for his entrance into the realm of architecture and the construction field which he said he was enthralled with, watching his father work.

“My father… was the first contractor in the island, and of course I had him as my idol. I emulated him and he saw the gift in me, and he always wanted his children to be a step above him, and he nurtured me and he pushed me in the field of architecture.

“I went a step above that to become an architect, because it’s the architect that initiates the built form. He was a strong support system to me, and I worked towards that field and the fact that I am now being awarded is indicative of the fact that there must be something of excellence in the field, so that members of the community would recommend such an award.”

His father Milton, who passed away just over a decade ago, also received an MBE award.

The senior Mayers was noted for the construction of the airport at Arnos Vale (E.T. Joshua airport), as well as the construction of the Post Office building in Kingstown, which was later renovated by his son.

The latest recipient of the award credited his aesthetically appealing designs, as well as his contextual architecture, which makes the buildings responsive to their environment and the clients’ needs, for their selections, which he said did not come served on a platter, but was due to very competitive and successful bidding.

“I am also part of what you call the green movement, where we look closely at designing energy efficient buildings, and conduct cost benefit analysis, and most of our buildings are in that category,” he added.

A former president of the Rotary Club of St Vincent, Mayers designed the School for Special Needs while he was a Rotarian, for free.

He was also president of the local Architectural Association, and is currently an executive member.

Mayers also serves as the Consul General for the Czech Republic and a member of the Board of Directors of the Intermediate High School.

“I think the accolade is because of hard work,” he said.

“Although the work is hard, it’s a labour of love to me and I think that is the reason why I have excelled in the field of architecture…”(JJ)