# Shelter-Functioning Schools Jestico + Whiles Createrd the John Gray School in the Cayman Islands By Amy Duong | Published 2024-06-26 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/john-gray-school References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2024/06/23/john-gray-school-cayman-islands-jestico-whiles/) & [jesticowhiles](https://www.jesticowhiles.com/)  British design studio Jestico + Whiles created the John Gray School design located in the Cayman Islands. Notably, it also functions as a community space and hurricane shelter. The school is located in George Town and is for 1,200 students. In addition to the school, the building is made to function as a community center and shelter that is able to protect students from major storms. Julie Désormiers, associate director at Jestico + Whiles explains, "Long promised and left abandoned for nearly a decade, the completion of this new building is a visible sign of the value the Cayman Islands places on its next generation. As the largest state school in the Cayman Islands, the building functions as a central hub for the community beyond its primary function as a school for 1,200 students. Events, celebrations, concerts, and theatre performances are regularly held in the new performance hall, with capacity for a 400-person audience." Image Credit: Jestico + Whiles ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 45% | Activity: 18% | Freshness: 25% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Multi-functional Infrastructure:** Buildings designed for multiple purposes, such as schools doubling as community spaces and emergency shelters, are transforming infrastructure use. - **Disaster-resilient Architecture:** Architectural designs prioritizing resilience to natural disasters highlight a growing focus on safety and preparedness in public structures. - **Community-centric Education Spaces:** Educational institutions serving dual roles as social and cultural centers reflect a broader integration of community needs. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Architecture and Design:** Innovations in architecture that incorporate community and emergency functions are reshaping the design landscape. - **Education:** Educational facilities with multifunctional designs are influencing modern approaches to school construction. - **Emergency Management:** Creating buildings that double as emergency shelters signifies a merger between construction and disaster preparedness industries. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Rammed-Earth Preschool Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spring-dales-public-school.md) - [Educational Storage Shed Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/big-roof.md) - [Traditional Sustainable School Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/universidad-ean-1.md) - [Granite-Clad Coastal Schools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/edmond-simeoni-school-and-cultural-space.md) - [Dome-Style School Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/al-fanar.md) - [Sustainable Educational Architecture Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sustainable-educational-architecture.md) - [Sustainable Colorful School designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wonderland-elementary-school.md) - [Leaf-Shaped Rooftop Schools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shiv-nader-school.md) - [Japanese Outdoor Teaching Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-british-school.md)