Above: Grenada’s old Parliament building, which was severely damaged in 2004 (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Grenadian architecture firm COCOA Architecture has been selected to design the country’s new Parliament building, the government announced this week.

COCOA was chosen from among seven final entrants in a design competition. The selection also came with a $30,000 price. Trinidad’s ACLA Works came in second, with Grenada’s TVA Consultants coming in third.

Grenada is receiving support from Australia on the project — the Australian International Aid Agency will provide design funds and $5 million for its construction budget. The move reportedly came following a request by Grenada Prime Minister Tillman Thomas from then-Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Australia provided an architectural consultant on the project to develop the design brief and supervise judging from the competition.

The United Arab Emirates is also providing $2 million in funding for construction on the building, which will replace the former structure that was destroyed in 2004.

The competition began on July 26.