When Laura Narayansingh graduated from the University of Miami School of Architecture in 2014, she knew her path wouldn’t be easy. The Trinidad-born architect faced the intensity of architectural schooling with apprehension, but also with an unshakeable resolve to excel. Reflecting on her time at the School of Architecture, she recalls being inspired by an array of dedicated faculty, including Teófilo Victoria and Joanna Lombard, under the leadership of then-Dean Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk.
“Every professor I had was amazing, but there were a few who truly stood out,” she says. “Joanna Lombard was especially influential during my thesis. She was so supportive and genuinely interested in learning more about my country and its architectural challenges.”
For Narayansingh, the experience of studying architecture was rooted in the classical methods. “I pursued a Certificate in Classical and Traditional Architecture, spending three years drawing entirely by hand. Even my thesis project—a residential development in Trinidad—was all hand-drawn,” she recalls with pride. That project became a deeply personal exploration of how architecture could respond to the distinct needs of her native Trinidad.
A defining moment of her educational journey was participating in the Rome program, which she describes as a “core memory.” It was an eye-opening experience that allowed her to gain a broader perspective on architecture, adding layers of understanding to her classical training. Even after graduation, she remains connected with many fellow alumni, finding common ground through their shared experiences at the university and in the professional world.
Upon graduation, Narayansingh made the decision to return to Trinidad—a country where the architecture and built environment are relatively young. “There are fewer than 200 architects in the entire country, so it’s a small workforce,” she explains. The scarcity of resources and the evolving environmental challenges make her work complex but also fulfilling. She joined ACLA Architecture, the oldest indigenous architectural practice in Trinidad and one that has been operational for 79 years, even predating the nation’s independence in 1962.
Narayansingh’s role at ACLA is multifaceted. As a designer, she wears many hats, working on projects that range from commercial and civic buildings to residential homes. Her work often involves adaptive reuse of structures built during Trinidad’s post-independence era, which are now showing their age. “A lot of the architecture from that period was conceptualized out of sheer necessity,” she notes. “My aim is to make these spaces more elegant and sustainable, while also making architecture more enjoyable for the average Trinidadian.”
In 2024, Narayansingh was recognized by Architectural Digest as one of 11 Women Architects From the Global South That Are Changing the World. This acknowledgment was a testament to her dedication and influence in shaping her country’s built environment. One of her most personal projects is The Bush House—a small home designed for her and her family on a piece of land she purchased. It’s a prototype that embodies her vision for a uniquely Trinidadian aesthetic and ethos.
“The Bush House is an experimentation in design,” she says. “It features three culturally linked elements: passive cooling planters called ‘shadow boxes,’ colonial-style arches, and intelligent burglar proofing.” The project is part of her ongoing investigation into creating an architectural language that reflects Trinidad’s complex cultural and environmental context.
Narayansingh’s work in Trinidad isn’t just about design; it’s about redefining what architecture can do and say in a place where the built environment has historically been reserved for the wealthy. “A country’s architecture is a reflection of its culture and geography,” she emphasizes. “Finding cohesive, nuanced ways of articulating our voice as Trinidadian people is the kind of investigation that fuels my work as a designer.”
As she continues to champion meaningful and accessible architecture in Trinidad, Laura Narayansingh remains committed to her roots at the University of Miami. The foundation she built there—nurtured by mentors and enriched by diverse perspectives—continues to inform her mission of transforming Trinidad’s architectural landscape for future generations.
