By ROGAN M. SMITH, Guardian Senior Reporter, rogan@nasguard.com

Local architect Marcus Laing is about to launch a new architectural magazine that will showcase the finest in Bahamian and Caribbean architecture, while highlighting progressive architectural practices and designs throughout the region.

Laing, who is CEO and President of INSITUarch Magazine, which comes out October 1, says the magazine will serve as a "bible" for industry insiders.

The magazine will profile the region's best projects, highlight cutting-edge design concepts and technologies. It will also look at resource efficiency, environmental footprints and residential buildings.

INSITUarch will also cover projects as they appear on the drawing board, highlighting the very best of the future of architecture, and will look at recently-completed projects to document how architectural vision is translated into reality.

The publisher is already eyeing the Baha Mar and Albany projects.

"With all the history of development and construction behind us, The Bahamas still struggles to solidify its industry," he said.

"Architecture is the foothold of all civilization, influencing the quality of life, the arts, education and progress. But, there is a serious void in the Caribbean that desperately needs to be filled."

Laing said his magazine will also give architects and persons in related fields the exposure they deserve while updating them on current trends and practices.

"A lot of architects in the field are still practicing the way they have been for years. There's no sort of continuing education, no growth in their development. They are just doing the same thing they've been doing since 20 years ago," he said.

"Some of the articles that we're going to write are going to expose our architects to what their colleagues in other parts of the Caribbean and the world are doing."

According to Laing, the semi-gloss magazine, which will come out on a quarterly basis, will also feature local artists both in The Bahamas and the Caribbean, and include a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) feature.

At the core of the magazine's mission is strong advocacy for responsible, sustainable design. Laing said architects must be advocates in areas where they have expertise.

"We must look at ways to build homes for the homeless, look at new technology that would make it cheaper to build homes. The magazine will spark that. I also think in time, the government will lean on us because we're the experts," he said.

"The time has also come for us to build relationships between architectural firms. I have no idea what the firm down the street from me is doing. By building a relationship between the two firms, we could share the way each firm practices. Maybe what they're doing is better than what we're doing and maybe we could improve on what we're doing, we could provide more efficient services so that we can offer our clients better services at a better price."

The magazine will be carried in eight Caribbean countries.

"Architects throughout the Caribbean are going to want to know what's going on in different countries. No other publication focuses on that. We always want to know what's going, we need to know the current trends," he said.

"I've already been in talks with architects in other countries. We have their full support. A lot of them are getting ready to send articles and contributions and they're awaiting their copies. We've already touched bases with re-sellers in Trinidad and Barbados and they've all agreed to sell the magazine."

Laing, who works at The Design Group, recently returned home after a one-year stint at one of the leading architectural firms in Atlanta, The Beck Group.

After graduating the College of The Bahamas, Laing went to Louisiana Tech University.

He is a member of both the Institute of Bahamian Architects and the American Institute of Architects.

He is also a member of the Urban Land Institute, the United States Green Building Council and the National Organization of Minority Architects and (Habitat for Humanity).

Laing said in a year's time, his company will look to taking on subscriptions.

"We've heard of other companies trying to start something similar to this, but no one has ever tried to do something of this magnitude," he said.

The first issue will be launched on October 1.

Laing is planning a massive marketing campaign leading up to the October launch of the magazine.

He says so far he has been approached by several leading real estate agencies who are considering doing full features on properties that they are featuring.

"The Ministry of Tourism believes this is good for architectural tourism in The Bahamas because it helps us to develop another aspect of the industry," he said.

Laing is inviting seasoned writers and strong newcomers with an interest in contributing to the magazine to contact him.

"We have a strong editorial board to edit and fact check, just let us know. We would love to show off your work," he said.