Colvin Morris Chen stands as a paragon of architectural excellence in Trinidad and Tobago. Born on August 4, 1941, in Port of Spain, his academic journey was enhanced at Queen’s Royal College (QRC), where he studied from 1952 to 1959. As a student at QRC, Chen not only achieved academic distinction at O’Level and A’Level examinations in Biology, Botany, and Chemistry, but he also actively participated in the 1st QRC Scouts, laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to service and leadership. Pursuing his passion for design, Chen enrolled at the University of British Columbia in Canada, earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1968. His early professional years included a stint as an Assistant Architect-Engineer at Terris & Wright in Vancouver. In 1969, he returned to Trinidad, joining Gillespie & Steel Associates as a Project Architect. By 1972, he became a partner, and in 1994, he transitioned to Director of Gillespie & Steel Limited, which later evolved into Gillespie and Partners Limited.
Chen retired from active practice in December 2020, concluding a distinguished 51-year career. Throughout his professional journey, Chen was instrumental in the design and management of a diverse array of projects, encompassing commercial, residential, institutional, educational, and healthcare facilities. His expertise in technical specifications and his meticulous attention to detail earned him widespread acclaim. Notably, in 1983, he received the Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects (TTIA) Building of the Year Award for the Yetming Residence in Blue Range, Diego Martin. His architectural influence extended beyond Trinidad and Tobago, with projects executed across the Eastern Caribbean, including Montserrat, Antigua, Nevis, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Bequia, Barbados, Grenada, and Guyana. Beyond his architectural endeavours, Chen demonstrated a profound commitment to the arts and community service. From 1981 to 1991, he served as Vice-Chairman of the Queen’s Hall Board of Management and later chaired the Patrons of Queen’s Hall from 1986 to 1996. His dedication to the scouting movement was recognised in July 2002 when he was inducted into the Honour Patrol of the 1st QRC Scouts. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to architecture, Chen was elected a Fellow of the TTIA in June 2014. Further cementing his legacy, in October 2019, he was awarded the President’s Gold Medal by the TTIA, honouring his exceptional service and achievements in the field. He continues to serve as a member of the Board of Architecture of Trinidad and Tobago, upholding the standards and integrity of the profession.
The Queen’s Royal College Old Boys’ Association takes immense pride in honouring Hall of Honour Inductee Colvin Morris Chen – a visionary architect and dedicated community leader whose career shaped the built environment of Trinidad and the Eastern Caribbean