Trio Architecture has recently been awarded a prestigious place in the TOP 100 Architects & Designers of the World 2022 by the panel of experts at the Luxury Lifestyle Awards. We spoke to Mike Stroh, Founder and Principal Architect of Trio Architecture, about the company’s background, how it has coped with its challenges, his design and customer service ethos, and plans for the future.

Luxury Lifestyle Awards: Congratulations on being chosen for such a prestigious accolade. What does it mean to you and your team to be recognized this way?

Mike Stroh: Our most important source of satisfaction is seeing the physical expression of our ideas. Watching how from the design tables at our studio, we are helping shape our environment. This award confirms our leadership within our industry, and it validates the enormous dedication we put into our work and in the service we provide for our clients. We couldn’t be more excited to receive this recognition.

LLA: You established Trio Architecture in 2006 in Miami to raise the level of service in the industry. How did you go about achieving this goal?

MS: Personalized approach. Understanding that no matter how big or small the project is, it is usually the biggest investment the client will ever make. Once we understand this, we approach each project with the care it deserves.

LLA: Trio Architecture survived the economic crash of 2008. What challenges did you have to deal with at the time and afterward? How did you manage to overcome them?

MS: Yes, our young studio was hit with the economic crash of 2008, and it wasn’t easy, but our dedication and perseverance helped us establish and maintain the right partnerships to keep ourselves busy. Getting through the difficult parts of this journey has always been possible by my strong belief that all you need is to love what you do and wake up every morning with the intensity, drive, and passion that life deserves.

LLA:  What is the significance of the title of your company? Why did you choose the name Trio Architecture?

MS: Since I decided to study Architecture, I always felt that the number 3 was intrinsically linked to this profession, and every time I tried to describe what a building is, or the way I approach each project, I find myself coming up with 3 adjectives, or 3 steps present in every design process. Here are a few examples.

• One of the most important parts of a building is the Column. A column is composed of 3 main parts:

1. the Base
2. the Shaft
3. the Capital

• I have always felt that a building is like a “living organism”, created by:

1. Bones (structure)
2. Veins (services)
3. Skin (façade/architecture)

• Every project needs the balance between these 3 functions:

1. Aesthetics
2. Functionality
3. Budget

• All projects go through 3 major steps:

1. Schematic Design
2. Design Development
3. Construction Documentation

• Efficiency and proficiency when designing a building requires knowledge in these 3 main fields:

1. Architecture/Interior Design
2. Structural Engineer
3. MEP Engineering

I have also been asked why I didn’t name the company using my name, and the answer is simple: I knew that to be successful I had to rely on a great team, and I wanted the name of the company to represent this philosophy.

So, Trio Architecture just felt right.

LLA: Why did you decide to relocate to Cayman in 2011?

MS: My wife and I wanted our kids to grow up in a safe, healthy environment. The Cayman Islands is a paradisiac Caribbean Island with a first-world infrastructure, and safe. This was the trigger, but the Cayman Islands also presented huge professional opportunities for us. It was the best decision of my life, both personally and professionally. My family and I have fallen in love with this place.

LLA: What makes your company stand out in this highly competitive marketplace?

MS: Our near 24/7 availability to our clients is definitely a factor that contributes to our market leadership, but I would say our team of talented and committed individuals plays an incredibly important role when clients make a decision as to which Architectural firm should accompany them on their development journey.

LLA: Have there been any defining moments in your career which has set the company on the path to success?

MS: I would say that there are 3 important events that have marked our company’s milestones. This first one was when we completed the headquarters of Zumba, in Hallandale Beach, Florida. This experience gave us the fuel to engage in much larger projects. The second was our connection with Phoenix Construction in Cayman, which resulted in the design and construction of over 12 homes in a period of 5 years. These homes and the recognition we obtained from our clients placed us on the map as the most successful private home designers in Cayman, and the third was when we were selected to be the Architects for the Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman. The experience and relationships we earned while working on this project paved the way for Trio to be selected as the Architects for the next wave of high rises in the island

LLA: Trio Architecture works across a selection of different disciplines. Talk us through the range of services where you can offer solutions.

MS: We provide a full range of services that include Development Consultancy, Site Feasibility Study, Concept Design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration. Our approach to every project is framed by providing a turnkey service where the client always ends up receiving more than what they paid for. We like to see ourselves as Design Concierges.

LLA: What service can a potential client expect when they initially get in touch with you? How do you collaborate closely with them throughout the design and construction process?

MS: We prefer for our clients to be involved throughout the process, especially when we are designing private homes. We present the progress at every milestone and take their comments and input as the main “ingredients” to continue with the next steps. We see a home as a living organism that is fundamentally connected to the family occupying it, so the more the family is involved in the design process, the more the building will feel like theirs.

Additionally, our services always include participation throughout the construction process. For us, letting go of a project when it obtains the permit, and not participating until its completion, it’s like having a child and letting someone else raise them.

While perhaps it may not be as personal with commercial projects, we have had the pleasure of working with clients that care about the design, as much as they do the economics, and as such, want to participate in the process to fulfill their vision. We not only welcome this participation but encourage it.

LLA: Can you talk us through your approach to design? How do you ensure that every project is completed to the client’s satisfaction and budget?

MS: In addition to what I have described above, we approach every project with the same professionalism, dedication, and passion, regardless of how large or small it may be. We involve the client at every step to ensure there are no surprises or missed expectations.

LLA: How is the property and building industry faring in your specialist markets in Florida and the Caribbean? What developments and challenges have you seen over the past year?

MS: Even though the construction industry has been booming for the past 10 years, the current cost and procurement challenges are forcing some of our clients to place their projects on hold.

Additionally, Trio Architecture cares deeply about the environment, and another important challenge has been to be able to design and develop while respecting, caring, and helping the environment. All of our clients acknowledge this important balance, but it does not come without obstacles.

LLA: What sort of projects are you currently involved in?

MS: In addition to several multi-million dollar luxury homes in Cayman, we are currently working on the 10-storey Grand Hyatt Hotel (currently under construction), a 10 story 97 unit luxury apartment building, and a 7-storey Hilton Curio hotel, all 3 located on the prestigious Seven Mile Beach corridor, in Grand Cayman. We are also working on the first 10-storey One GT Hotel in George Town, which marks the beginning of the revitalization of Grand Cayman’s downtown area, as well as a multi-family mixed-used development including 87 residential units, several retail spaces, and a 12,000 s.f. restaurant.

LLA: Can you tell us about a recently completed project that you are particularly proud of and why you are so pleased with the final result?

MS: Earlier this year we completed a 12,000 s.f. house that received a 5-Star award as the best Single Family Residence in the Caribbean. The process of design and construction was not easy and was not free of great challenges, but the project was completed on time, and without exceeding the budget. But more importantly, we recently received a text from our client that said the following: “Hi Mike, wanted you to please know that I absolutely love the house you designed for me. Its beautiful and constantly makes me smile at the beauty of the design, views of the ocean, and landscaping”. Text like this one is why we love what we do.

LLA: Employing an efficient and knowledgeable staff is always crucial to success in the property industry. How do you ensure you attract a team of the highest caliber?

MS: I would say that the strongest way to attract talented staff is to have the ability to inspire. As leaders, we must do this not only with the quality of our work, but more importantly with our character, our principles, our philosophy, and our values.

LLA: How many people make up your team, and what skills do they offer?

MS: In addition to myself, our team currently includes:

• Carolina Hane – Interior Design Director

Brilliant and sophisticated, Carolina is the artist behind our interior designs. The broad spectrum of her design vernacular has no limits.

• Carolyn Maguire – Director of Interior Design Development

With over 15 years of experience and incredibly talented, Carolyn has the ability to take any concept, and materialize it.

• Aston Ebanks – Architect

Aston employs an intuitive holistic approach to architectural design.

• Evelyn Barrozzi – Architect

With over 15 years of experience, Evelyn has a vast knowledge of the Building Code, means, and methods of construction, and approaches every project with an infinite commitment, and attention to detail,

Additionally, our team also includes several Junior Architects, Interior designers, an Artistic Director, and an Executive Assistant.

LLA: What are your plans for the company’s future development, and where do you see Trio Architecture in 10 years?

MS: We believe the construction industry in the Cayman Islands will continue to strive, and slowly but surely become the “Monaco of the Caribbean”. We have positioned our company to be the leader in charge of shaping the silhouette of Grand Cayman’s skyline for future decades.