Colonial heritage
Barbados is the only Caribbean island to have been colonized solely by the British, which gives its architecture a unique face, all the more so as the colonists favored local materials such as limestone, coral and even ballast taken from the holds of ships! Bridgetown's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a fine example of this blend of military, commercial and urban architecture, a symbol of the expansion of the British Empire. The city's labyrinthine urban layout is reminiscent of medieval English towns. But behind this organic urbanism lies planning, notably in the layout of docks and warehouses of wood, brick and stone protected by powerful fortifications. At the same time, the island saw the emergence of numerous religious buildings, mostly in Jacobean and Georgian styles. The latter borrowed their vocabulary from Antiquity, employing abundantly worked arcatures, columns, pilasters, cornices and decorative moldings, while the Georgian style opted for a more monumental style, all balance and symmetry. Saint Nicholas Abbey is a fine example of Jacobean style, while the parish churches of Saint Lucy and Saint George are precious examples of Georgian style. Codrington College is another must-see. The main building of this theological college was modelled on the Oxford quadrangle! Under British impetus, Barbados was the first Caribbean island to develop the sugar industry. This industrial heritage can be seen in the large stone tower with 4 wings activating the grinding cylinders of the Morgan Lewis mill, the last working sugarcane mill, but above all in the large plantation houses. The latter bear the hallmarks of a hybrid style known as Tropical Georgian. While they retain European monumentality and symmetry, these homes have also been adapted to the constraints of the climate. High arched ceilings, covered patios, awnings and verandas are all designed to ensure ventilation and coolness. The Fustic House and Sunbury Plantation Great House are among the most beautiful on the island. The British influence can also be seen in the Parliament Buildings, with their beautiful stained glass windows, hand-cut coral limestone silhouette, cast-iron fence made in England and, of course, their resolutely neo-Gothic crenellated clock tower. Recognizable by their narrow, multi-storey structures, sloping gabled roofs and porches, the Single Houses are other great witnesses to the English presence, like Arlington House in Speightstown. And let's not forget the lighthouses, whose cylindrical or octagonal silhouettes of stone or concrete dot the coastline. The South Point lighthouse, erected in 1852, is the oldest on the island. This large cast-iron tower was brought by boat to Barbados after being exhibited at the Great Exhibition in London!
Vernacular riches
Literally "transportable possession", the Chattel House symbolized the emancipation of workers now freed from the yoke of slavery. Moving from place to place as work opportunities arose, they needed a dwelling that was easy to assemble and transport. Built on one level, the Chattel House is rectangular in plan, with pine boards and cedar shingles. It has a living and sleeping area, with the kitchen and bathroom outside. Its foundations are made of coral or limestone blocks, allowing the floors to be raised. Gabled or hipped, the roof is usually made of corrugated iron, and is particularly reinforced at the corners to withstand hurricanes. Initially, the Chattel House was rather sober, with a symmetrical plan (one door framed by two windows), uniform structures derived from the pre-cut lengths of imported wood, and brown hues. Gradually, however, vibrant Caribbean colors and decorative elements inspired by tropical eclecticism are added. Curved pieces on roof ridges, jalousies and lace-like mantling are just some of the features of these revisited Chattel Houses. Over time, many families have added to the pre-existing structure, opting for cement or concrete foundations and plastic or metal window frames. Today, the Chattel House is back in the limelight as an ecological and economical alternative to urban and climatic challenges. An icon still relevant today!
Contemporary creations
The grounds of Bridgetown's famous Kensington Oval have been completely redesigned to facilitate rainwater run-off and recovery, thus avoiding the creation of brackish marshes. Separated from the pitch, they offer shade and ventilation thanks to the use of local materials designed to withstand cyclones, like the beautiful 3W's Pavilion, with its futuristic curves and dazzling whiteness. Alongside these superb, sleek contemporary villas, the island is also home to some astonishing rehabilitation projects, such as the Wyndham Grand Barbados hotel, which has incorporated Sam Lord's Castle, an Anglo-Italian mansion built by a pirate as mysterious as he was legendary! Barbados is also turning to sustainable architecture projects, such as the new U.S. Embassy complex, which has been awarded one of the highest environmental certifications, and whose coral limestone silhouette and landscape architecture, all featuring local species, can be admired. In 2025, Barbados will inaugurate the Barbados Heritage District, a memorial, museum and research institute on slavery, designed by the renowned Anglo-Ghanaian architect David Adjaye. The complex will be located on the grounds of Newton Plantation, adjacent to the Newton Enslaved Burial Ground Memorial, where the bodies of 570 women, men and children were found. A domed entrance pavilion in red laterite will be linked by an ascending ramp to a circular mound of earth from which 570 brass-covered wooden beams will rise in a square pattern. David Adjaye drew his inspiration for the memorial from African funeral philosophy and traditions. Architecture to counter oblivion.
