The firm of Barefoot Architect, Inc. was founded in 2000 on St. John for the same reasons our clients come to the islands; to create a tropical life with unique and rewarding surroundings. Diverse as our clients may be, all share the belief that the beauty and quality of life here is different than anywhere else and that here they can perhaps fulfill their Caribbean dream. Because our architectural process focuses upon our clients and has developed to create a project around their specific needs, our projects range widely in size, materials, and architectural styles. However, while allowing for individuality, we strive to maintain the highest standards of work and our profession.

With a staff of between four and six staff, Barefoot Architect, Inc. is the only firm on St. John to included licensed architects, licensed general contractors, and licensed realtors so as to provide a varied and balanced perspective on the project’s conception, development, construction, and management. In the search for a voice for an individual project, beyond the program requirements, we considered the issues of longevity (storms, hurricanes, corrosion, and exposure), structure (concrete, steel, stone, wood, and glass), art (design, balance, modulation, and sculpture), and experience (light, shadow, movement, tranquility, warmth, and cool). Architecture can be much more than simply shelter or a response to the environment and aspire to become art making a statement of ideas and communicating a vision.

Beyond the physical representation of our work, a project’s form and perception is a result of the interaction and translation of the experiences and personalities of all the individuals involved. Mutual cooperation and an educational dialogue between the participants of the design team and clients shape and define our projects creating architecture that is both individual and current. Part of the reward of every project is the exploration of those common thoughts and discovering the results of that process.

The office also plays an active role in the small island working to improve and protect the community fabric and increase its potential. Such involvement includes design and participation with the local government and National Park Service (majority land holder of the island) projects as well as participation and leadership roles in projects to better the quality of life sponsored by both community groups and the local government.