On November 30, 2016, Barbados celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence.
To commemorate this occasion, the Government of Barbados invited applicants to design a monument.
This submission of the Jubilee Monument for the national competition was designed along with teammate Vincent Jones. It was one of five finalists selected by the judging panel.
Jubilee Monument
The Jubilee Monument design is divided into three main areas.
The first is the Commemorative Trident Terrace which is located on the east side of the Monument. To the west, facing the parade square, is the Rising Trident Terrace. The flag podium separates the two terraces.
The Monument, with its stairs, a wheelchair-accessible ramp, pathways and seating, is designed to allow easy movement and access. It has rest and contemplative areas that accommodate abled and differently-abled persons.
It is oriented so that the terrace of the Rising Trident faces the parade square of the Garrison. Therefore, the Monument has a direct relationship with future Independence Day parades. The flagpole will be located where the first Barbados flag was raised on November 30, 1966.
Commemorative Trident Terrace
This terrace will serve as an entry to the Monument.
It will house the commemorative trident, secured in a purpose design niche that will remain open so that visitors can physically touch and hold it as many other Barbadians before, throughout its journey across Barbados.
It also carries the Motto and an extract from the National Anthem.
Rising Trident Terrace
The Broken Trident is our nation’s most identifiable symbol. The Rising Trident on the Monument rises from the earth and symbolises our continuous growth and development as a nation.
The wall of this area is inscribed with words, phrases or statements that highlight key aspects of our history from independence until the present. The continuous sweeping curved wall surrounds the Rising Trident, with the years 1966 and 2016 engraved on either end of the wall.
The central area of this wall will house the time capsule, sealed and covered with an inscribed granite plaque.
The tiled ring around the Rising Trident comprises fifty individual tiles and represents each year of our independence. The tiled bands divide the ring into five equal sectors representing decades.
Flag Podium
This is the most elevated part of the Monument and carries the flagpole.
It also has two small statues sculpted from limestone. These statues depict the pelican and the dolphin, which are found on the National Coat of Arms.