Ward & Co celebrates bumper year in the Caribbean

27.01.23

Ward & Co celebrates bumper year in the Caribbean as the British studio establishes permanent base in Antigua

January 2023: London design and architecture practice Ward & Co has welcomed in 2023 with a stellar lineup of projects in the Caribbean, following a successful inaugural year operating in the region. This pipeline of new projects is to be managed by the family-run studio out of its first international outpost and permanent Caribbean hub.

With four decades of UK and overseas expertise behind them, Ward & Co’s foray into the Caribbean was spurred on by Founder Sarah Ward’s desire for a new international challenge, and a personal love of the local culture and scenery. Sarah, alongside daughter Rosie, acquired land on Antigua’s south-west coast in 2021, overseeing the full construction and interior design of a new supervilla, ‘Papillon’, which now acts as the studio’s Caribbean headquarters.

Over the past 12 months, the duo has completed a number of projects in Antigua, their hands-on approach, creative skillset and network of the very best global suppliers has allowed them to operate in the region seamlessly. Each of Ward & Co’s projects remains true to its signature aesthetic, setting the bar for super prime design on the island. This design narrative centres around contemporary, clean lines, bold use of colour, superior craftsmanship all whilst respecting the vivid culture, energy and landscape of the Caribbean. Sarah and Rosie’s expertise and reputation for delivering an unmatched level of quality has been met with high demand, resulting in numerous new commissions across Jumby Bay, Pearns Point, Blue Waters Resort and English Harbour.

Sarah Ward, Founder, Ward & Co, comments; “Our pipeline of new projects in the Caribbean heralds the beginning of an exciting new era for Ward & Co. Expanding our portfolio in the Caribbean has been a personal ambition of mine for a long time, and I am delighted to see the demand for our expertise grow so quickly. We are fortunate to have a long-established network of agents, developers and suppliers in the global super-prime industry which allows us to navigate the process of providing a turnkey service. Establishing a permanent base in Antigua was the next natural step for us and we’re looking forward to another busy year of work, including new projects in the British Virgin Islands and Nevis”.

Ward & Co’s latest design briefs include an 18,000 sq.ft. contemporary new-build beachfront property, woven with shades of white and a natural, organic finish, and a 10,000 sq.ft. refurbishment project, accentuated with colourful influences from African artisans and artists. The team is also in the early stages of the design process for a substantial new build development in the Bahamas, as part of a renowned line up of international experts. Sarah and Rosie will be working alongside Randle Siddeley landscape design and Adam Architecture to deliver a stand-out design scheme, the duo’s first project in the Bahamas.

Rosie Ward, Creative Director, Ward & Co, comments; “We are continually looking to set the benchmark for quality in the Caribbean, whether that’s a holiday apartment, substantial second home or boutique hotel. We relish the opportunity to work in new and diverse environments and the lush typography, culture and people in the Caribbean naturally sets our creativity on fire. We’re looking forward to another successful year creating unique and intelligent spaces in these stunning surroundings”.

Working with an established network of local developers and agents, including EMCs, Rawdon Turner and KSR, Ward & Co has become the leading design force in the region. As the new year gathers momentum, Sarah and Rosie are also looking at the studio’s long term vision, bolstering the portfolio with commercial work in Antigua and the surrounding shores of Mosquito Island, Nevis and Oil Nut Bay on Virgin Gorda.

Rawdon Turner, owner of Rawdon Associates comments: “In my fifteen years of construction experience in the Caribbean, and specifically Antigua, the finished product of Villa Papillon from Ward & Co was completed to the highest spec I have seen - the design studio has brought a superior standard of high end residential interior design to the area. Currently working on multiple residential construction projects in the Jolly Harbour, Falmouth Harbour, Jumby Island and Pearns Point areas, we now recommend Ward & Co to every client that approaches us. It has been a pleasure working with Sarah and I look forward to working with the Ward & Co team on many more projects in the future.”

www.wardandco.com / @wardandcointeriors @villapapillonantigua