Gayap Heritage Consultants hopes to make a real impact on the built Heritage preservation landscape in the English speaking Caribbean. We aim to complement the good work being done with limited resources by the National Trusts and citizen organizations in the Region, our overriding purpose being to protect and preserve Caribbean built heritage.
Our focus area is primarily multi territory, the initial scope area being the English speaking Caribbean. This is what sets us apart from existing organizations, as by necessity most are nationally focussed on the island or territory where they are located. The built heritage of the Caribbean is under constant pressure, at risk from climate change, urban development, and insufficient resources to adequately restore, protect and maintain our historic buildings. We at Gayap are distraught when we see historic buildings being neglected or in some cases demolished for development. Our intention is to contribute to caring for the Region’s built heritage, preserving it for future generations.
HOW?
We will do this in three main ways:
(1) putting together funding organizations with deserving projects.
(2) becoming a center of expertise for Caribbean built heritage.
(3) supporting private owners of heritage assets to ensure viability long term.
WHO ARE WE?
The principal founder of Gayap is Mrs Thais De Four, a Trinidadian architect who recently graduated Tulane University with an MSc in Preservation Architecture (2024). She also holds a BSc in Architecture from Howard University Washington, and a MSc in Tourism Management from Sheffield Hallam University in the UK. The consultancy’s main Advisor, Mrs Rudlynn Roberts, is a very respected Trinidadian architect and heritage expert, one of the founders of the NGO Citizens for Conservation. Rudy works closely with The National Trust of Trinidad & Tobago. Rounding out the team is Robert Paty, Thais’ husband and a recently retired Finance & Business Executive for a large FMCG multinational, who brings with him 34 years of experience in business management across ten countries in the Americas and Europe.
The company was formed in January 2025, born out of Thais’ Masters thesis which focussed on the funding gap that exists for adequate heritage preservation in the Region. We are already engaged in potential initiatives in several Caribbean islands. We look forward to potentially partnering with you on realizing our purpose of protecting and preserving Caribbean heritage.
