“Between my grandfather’s influence, the technical drawing class, and seeing things as they developed from a paper format to a built format is what really inspired me,” the architect described.

Mr. Flax, who has returned to the Virgin Islands in 2009 after spending several years in the United States where he completed his tertiary education and garnered a wealth of experience under his belt, is now employed with OBM International as an architect.

“I always wanted to come back home and it was not a question of if, it was more a question of when,” said the son of retired Chief Dental Officer and owner of Crown Dental Dr. Marvin E. Flax Sr. and Alma K. Flax.

The young Virgin Islander, who visited his homeland often for holidays during his years of living and working in the United States, said he was further propelled to return home at this time after observing during those visits the tremendous increase in construction and development activity taking place in the Territory and, of course, “having the desire to be a part of that growing process.”

The Virgin Islander who grew up in Pasea Estate, left the Virgin Islands at the age of 14 for the United States where he finished his secondary education and proceeded to the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia where he acquired a Masters in Architecture.

After graduating from design school, the former student of the St. Georges Primary and the then BVI High School, worked for one year in a small architectural firm there before heading to Atlanta to gain more exposure in the field of architecture where he stayed until 2009.

Mr. Flax spent six years with what is now known as TVS Design where as a young intern architect he had the opportunity to work on several projects in Atlanta, China, and Dubai. He worked on several high profile projects including an office building for the Centres for Disease Control and the Georgia World Congress Centre in Atlanta.

During his six-year stint there as a young architect, Mr. Flax learnt the importance of team work.

“One thing I learnt to do more than anything else was to work in a team environment not only with fellow architects but with everyone involved in the project such as engineers, consultants and clients,” he disclosed.

After feeling satisfied with the experience he acquired with the large architectural firm, Mr. Flax left and took up employment with the much smaller firm, Collins Cooper Carusi Architects, in Atlanta.

While the glamorous projects went with the bigger firm, Mr. Flax was content with the new job which came with more responsibilities as a Project Coordinator, more tasks and hands on experience, and most of all, the opportunity to do what he always wanted to do.

“It was a conscious decision to go to this company and work on smaller educational building types,” the architect revealed, listing some of his projects including work on the University of Georgia, dormitories and several private school gymnasiums and auditoriums.

An important lesson which the young Virgin Islander learnt during his years of working is that what is taught in school does not always necessarily prepare you fully for the working world.

And while working in corporate America can be very rigid and structured, he acknowledged that he was able to learn to do many things and to do them the right way.

As part of his development as an architect, Mr. Flax attended seminars and several training workshops.

While at OBM, Flax has overseen the design, implementation and development of several building types and is currently working on an office building in Road Town, a five bedroom house in Anguilla and a house renovation in Hodge’s Creek.  He also assisted in the renovation of the Bougainvillea Clinic.

Explaining some of the notions associated with his profession, Mr. Flax said architects have to come to terms with the fact that what they design is going to be around for a very long time and they have to really have a holistic approach to their projects.

“We live in an environment where clients are more in tune with contemporary architecture and the BVI is not an exception and hopefully it will be a trend we will see more and more of,” he explained.

As an architect, Mr. Flax said it takes much more than just putting together a drawing but rather it takes a lot of time to conceptualise what a client wants, taking into consideration all the different elements and factors that may or can affect the structure that is requested.

“Depending on the project and the client, we have to research specific detailed elements, then start sketching and conceptualising based on what you believe it should look like and what the client wants. So it’s a lot of collaboration, and eventually you it get to where both the client and architect are pleased,” he explained.

Speaking to a popular misconception of the architecture profession, the young architect made it clear that the perception that architects “draw blueprints” today is incorrect and most of all, what they do is tremendously more than just printing or designing.

“We don’t just do prints, we design buildings and put a lot of thought into them. A lot of effort and time goes into coming up with a concept and design, all while trying to envision your client using the space on a daily basis. Some clients have more demands than others and we have to accommodate them as much as possible. Our job is extremely detail oriented,” he explained.

Asked about the challenges that come with such a job, the young architect smiled and responded, “Each project presents its own set of challenges and you simply have to rely upon your past experiences to guide you and in some cases you have to do something completely new that you have never done before”.

For his future plans, Mr. Flax said, “Ultimately I would like to have a role where I am the client but I am also happy being an architect and I enjoy my profession.”

The young professional had high praises for his parents and his entire family who were very influential in his many achievements and taught him the benefits of hard work.

“I was taught not to rest on your laurels but to see a task through and I think I benefited from these positive influences as a kid and they have remained with me throughout.”

Mr. Flax is married and is the proud father of four-year-old son, Andrew. He is thankful to his family for being supportive of him in his new endeavors and his demanding work schedule and career.

On the social side, Flax is the Director of Youth and Vocational Services for the Rotary Club Sunrise of Road Town. As part of that the programme, Flax assists in coaching soccer to kids with YEP every other Saturday. The service club under his helm has also recognised the top performing Primary Five students this year among several other projects.

Mr. Flax is a well rounded individual with a deep interest in several sports. He played on his high school basketball team and would eventually like to get involved in coaching at a youth level.

He also enjoys playing squash, tennis and running.

His advice to young people is, “to never stop trying to acquire knowledge and to learn about any and everything and not just your profession or what interests you. Learn about different religions, societies, past and present, and learn about the world; travel as much as possible, travelling helped me to grow as a person and to appreciate different people from different walks of life. And finally, if you have an opportunity take advantage of it, do it and don’t be intimidated by it!”