Creation of Lifestyle

Exemplary Virtues of Bajan Vernacular Architecture (as hand-crafted building construction) Some of the exemplary virtues of our Vernacular Architecture are: 1) WIDE VERANDAHS - for shade and ventilation 2) TIMBER HAND-RAIL - hand-crafted and lightweight for gallery 3) HIGH PITCHED ROOF - (at least 35 degrees pitch) with gable-end, fixed wind vented louvers 4) JALOUSIE WINDOWS AND DOORS 5) PARAPET WALLS - to prevent lifting of eve ends during hurricane winds 6) THICK SOFT STONE WALLS - to reduce heat gain on the building fabric 7) RAISED FLOOR LEVELS - to prevent flooding in low lying areas, to give the building more prominence and to help prevent rising dampness and better breeze into the house. 8) ORIENTATION OF THE BUILDING - to take advantage of the North East Trade winds in order to situate enclosed rooms away from the South West sun side of the building. Exemplary Virtues of Classical Architecture (as mythological building construction) These virtues of exemplary Classical Architecture as the articulation of the basic elements in construction are: 1) FLOORS – external emphasis indicating the point of separation between the floor and wall 2) COLUMNS – Ionic, Doric and Corinthian orders (base, shaft, capital) 3) ENCLOSED WALLS (stone/brick) with doors and windows – frames embellished with architraves 4) POST AND BEAM – a type of construction combining columns and beams articulated as architraves 5) PEDIMENT – usually a triangular construction consisting of architraves, frieze and cornice 6) GEORGIAN MOTIF – an architectural style generally consisting of a pediment situated in the centre of a façade with articulation of ground, middle and top floors as well as positioning doors and windows in the centre of column spacing. 7) ROOFS – these are usually Gable, Hip, Lean-to (Shed roof) Site Appraisal The first task performed is to visit the site for a site appraisal. This includes: 1. Breeze direction – This is an attempt for cross ventilation and to achieve appropriate air changes required for comfort. 2. Sun travel from sunrise to sunset – The kitchen and morning rooms are built to the east for morning sunlight and to shade the house from the hot afternoon sun with the use of patios, wide overhangs, bathrooms, storerooms, garages and the use of trees to provide shade for the buildings. 3. Best view – Patios and large windows are placed to the advantage of the best view and some rooms extend into borrowed space beyond so that one feels they’ve gained this outside space as theirs. 4. Historical significance – The use of historical significance is to capture and pay some respect to the heritage of the present environment. Take the colour and materials used and the method of construction and style of the buildings. 5. Topography – This is the various slopes of the land which may result in the building being split level or having a full basement. 6. Town and Country Planning requirements – Usually a minimum building distance from the centre line of the road and a minimum side distance of 6 feet from the boundary line. 7. Ministry of Health – The Ministry requires a minimum window size to suit the size and usage of the room, which would result in getting air changes per minute in the room. 8. Estimated budget - The average building rate ranges from $200 per square foot for the average house to $600 per square foot for executive houses due mainly to material finishes. The maximum building size can be worked out to suit the client’s budget. 9. Parking – This determines the appropriate space for vehicles to park, exit or enter the property as well as a turning bay (a space which allows for vehicles to turn around safely). 10. Context – This consists of situating the house or structure in alignment with the neighbours and conforming to the neighbourhood. Or even more simply, it’s the construction of the building in relation to the environs. 11. Accommodation – This is the number of rooms desired which comprises the building within a given budget.