

Sue Courtenay, Principal
I've always known that creativity would be at the heart of my career. Architecture became the perfect medium where problem-solving, innovation, and beauty intersect. Through VIVIDARCH, I’ve built a practice centered on delivering sustainable, future-ready, high-performance buildings that are as functional as they are inspiring.
​
With over 30 years of experience in architecture, design, and construction, VIVIDARCH operates as a full-service studio offering end-to-end project delivery. Our strength lies in a trusted network of collaborators, including civil and structural engineers, MEP consultants, surveyors, site inspectors, contractors, and skilled cabinet-makers - each bringing a shared commitment to quality and excellence. Together, we partner with clients to bring their vision to life, from the first sketch to final construction.
​
My academic foundation includes a professional Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) degree from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) and an MBA from the University of the West Indies. I am a registered professional architect in Belize (APAB), a LEED Green Associate, and an International Associate of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
​
Beyond Belize, my project portfolio spans the USA and the Caribbean, including Jamaica, Dominica, and Trinidad & Tobago, where I’ve served as Senior Project Manager on major public and private sector initiatives. These include internationally funded projects by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the European Union, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
​
At VIVIDARCH, our mission is simple: to design spaces that perform beautifully today and for generations to come.
​
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sue_Courtenay
https://www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.400994.eee209fdcd
https://www.usgbc.org/people/sue-courtenay/0010514328
https://www.prmrinc.net/all-articles/caribbean-architects-have-a-new-body
​
The graphic below illustrates our typical design process and the services included. We design in the Building Information Modeling (BIM) environment and tend to engage and collaborate with our sub-consultants and contractor(s) early in the design process. We find that this modality shortens the design time, improves the buildability and cost-certainty of the design, creates a better-integrated project team, and reduces the likelihood of changes during construction.
​
​
DESIGN PROCESS
