Architectural Firm OBMI Marks 80th Anniversary
Hamilton-based architectural firm OBMI recently celebrated their 80th anniversary and founding in Bermuda.
The event was held at Coral Reef & Beach Club for a list of clients past and present, community leaders, and friends of the firm. Among those in attendance were Finance Minister Bob Richards and Minister of Environment Cole Simons.
Providing remarks and historical reflection on the firm’s history and impact in Bermuda was Dr. Ed Harris, National Museum of Bermuda and early employee of the firm under founders Wil Onions and Val Bouchard.
Dr. Harris is now working closely with OBMI to ensure Bermudian history is preserved on the St. Regis site conducting archaeological surveys, OBMI said.
The now global architecture firm was founded in Hamilton in 1936 by Onions and Bouchard during a time when Bermuda architecture was yet being defined.
Onions is often referred to as the founder of Bermudian architecture leading the promotion and formalization of architectural styling exclusively found in Bermuda. Onions and Bouchard were joined by John MuCullough rebranding themselves OBM and expanding their reach into the Caribbean with several island offices.
Remarks at the event by Colin Campbell spoke to the firm’s next 80 years and the leadership development the company is undergoing to ensure the firm has continued success in Bermuda,
“We are so proud of our history in Bermuda but we cannot stop there,” he said. “In order to respect our history, we must continue to build upon it. So as we plan our next 80 years I am excited and inspired to watch our upcoming leaders develop and bring innovative new ideas to our firm and our industry.
“There is no doubt the firm will be very different from the times of Onions and Bouchard but the one thing that will remain the same is OBMI’s commitment to architectural excellence.”
During his remarks, Mr Campbell formally introduced the newest members of the local Board of Directors, Anthony DeShields and Melissa Woods.
In its history the firm has been privileged to work on a diverse portfolio of projects including numerous beautiful homes scattered across the Bermudian landscape, to luxurious hotels around the world.
The firm today, OBM International, has grown into a world-class architecture firm with offices in Bermuda, Miami, Antigua, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Trinidad, the Middle East, and Spain.
