you by communicating fundamental basics such as how to enter it, how to interact with it, what its functions are. Also it should speak to its context and respond to its surroundings. P&S: What makes a building beautiful to you? ZAJ: Architecture for me it is the most powerful of art forms as it is functioning living aesthetic. So beauty is the perfect balance of scale, proportion and material which is a fine balancing act. Add to this the manipulation of light, shade and shadow. If it is all done properly it can really be beautiful no matter the Architectural style. P&S: How lucrative is architecture as a profession in Jamaica? ZAJ: (laughs) Not very. You have to be in love with this profession. If you do
the research most of the brilliant architects of this world, their best friend paid for their funerals. In a developing country where the economy and the work are not consistent, it can be a careful balancing act. Architects in Jamaica can have one great job every five years but its the most amazing profession in the world so it's worth it (smile). P&S: What are your other pursuits? ZAJ: Relating to other business pursuits through my role as a Director in the KLE Group, I help to develop our lifestyle brands, dynamic marketing initiatives and new business. When the business side is turned off I like to feed the two sides of my personality so I can party hard and raise the roof and on the flip side read and just chill out. P&S: In terms of design what are people asking for nowadays?
ZAJ: Everyone is going for more open floor plans, uncluttered spaces. They see this a lot in more modern first world environments. There is a trend now in residential living, where people are moving from the typical ‘big house’ to smaller more efficient use of space. People are moving out of larger residences and transforming them into apartments or knocking them down to create these more effective spatial living environments. People want more effective use of space and so they tailor it to be more premium in terms of usage and finish. P&S: Have you built your dream house yet? ZAJ: No, not yet, but I intend to. If I live in the space I created I think I will see all the flaws and think how to make it better next time. Maybe I will ask a friend to design it, who knows? (laughs)