BusinessGrenada.com Issue: 7 2016 -2017 | Page 90

Construction Construction CONSTRUCTING GRENADA INTERVIEW WITH DOUGLAS LILLIE OF CREATIVE DESIGNS D.O.B - 30/11/66 P.O.B - GLASGOW SCOTLAND JOB TITLE- EXECUTIVE VP OPERATIONS & DIRECTOR TIME - 16 YEARS IN GRENADA FROM APRIL 1999 EDUCATION - QUANTITY SURVEYOR STATUS - NO REGRETS & LOVING IT ! “ Creative Designs were the first company to bring in modulated framework systems in 2001 when we built a large dormitory at St George’s University (SGU). The first dorm was an 84 room building. We have subsequently built another 6 dorms of various sizes using basically aluminium forms cast with reinforced walls in a concrete system which we can utilize and configure for any building a client may want. “ The system became so efficient we could pour one room a day in a typical hotel style type of room, which comprises an entrance, bath, kitchen, bedroom and built in closet. It was the year 2000 that Scottish native, Douglas Lillie, arrived at Creative Designs as a Quantity Surveyor. He quickly became involved in the commercial aspects of the company; developing process and procedure manuals for on site procedures, he also became involved in local and overseas procurement, involving logistics and coordination. He’s the man responsible for making sure whatever is ordered arrives on time and is installed in time. In 2006, Lillie took over the day to day running of the business operations and works with all the other department managers to make sure operations run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. “ “ 90 “ Creative Designs is essentially and arguably one of the few design/build/contractors not just in Grenada, but in the south eastern Caribbean. We specialize in Design Build Projects and have developed a core of clients and a network of specialist consultants. We have our own in-house Architectural Deptartment which we’ve had for many years and we outsource more specialized aspects of that in terms of structural/civil/mechanical and electrical engineers who work with us to give our clients a complete design/build package, from conception to pre-contract to construction and handing over the keys. “ It’s difficult in a small market like Grenada to be a specialist in any one aspect of construction so we look at many different areas. We do specialist types of jobs like steel frame construction & concrete framework construction. www.businessgrenada.com www.businessgrenada.com The last dorms we built consisted of 150 rooms. We started in late February. and handed over the building in August! So there are considerable time savings which for a client like SGU is crucial, they organize their business around semesters, so the timely delivery was absolutely crucial to their entire business plan. “ “ We also utilized this system for mid-income housing in Barbados, in which we constructed 88 houses in very quick time. This fast track building system was successfully utilized for the new construction of the Sandals Hotel with two 5 storey and 6 storey blocks. We started that project in March and finished their 5 star resort in time for opening in December. Of course the client was over the moon with us! www.businessgrenada.com www.businessgrenada.com 91 91