Design & Environment - How Do They Work Together?
Written for Caribbean Architecture Design magazine.
Published in issue April 2023
Image credits to Kevin Scott, True Blue Bay Resort, Oil Nut Bay and GSA Architecture + Interior Design
When designing architecture, considering the surrounding environment and its context is intrinsic to the creative process and decisions made. The term “environment” can refer to both the physical setting, such as site and climatic conditions, and the social setting, taking into account cultural, community and societal circumstances. The role of an architect is to reflect upon these variable aspects, and create a design that is both responsive and inclusive of all conditions.
Understanding how architecture can be designed and constructed in a way that positively utilises its local conditions and performs in a way that benefits its surrounding environment is the basis of sustainable design; an increasing necessity in our modern world.
Throughout the Caribbean, architects have produced innovative, thoughtful and sustainable architecture that responds exceptionally to its environment. Here, we showcase some of the most notable examples:
The Sail House, Bequia, St Vincent & The Grenadines
The Sail House is a great example of sustainable residential architecture: the main house and guesthouses each feature a tensile roof structure, a contextual nod to the sailing culture of the Grenadines, whilst also serving the environmentally-led utility systems of the buildings. The roofs provide extensive shading and allow for passive ventilation; they also collect rainwater, which is transported through the masts of the roof structure to storage cisterns at foundation level. The collected water is used throughout the buildings, making them self-sufficient in water reuse. On site photovoltaic panels further provide energy self-sufficiency.
The structures were prefabricated in the United States using reclaimed materials, then shipped to the site with shipments specifically organised to reduce waste on their journey. Many of the finishes throughout were locally sourced, including intertwined palm leaves and coconut shell, providing a minimalistic yet stunning natural palette.
The Sail House creates a particularly imaginative and novel response to its surrounding environment, and proves that sustainable architecture can also be beautiful.
True Blue Bay Resort, Grenada
True Blue Bay Resort is driven by its fundamental philosophy: it must operate in a sustainable way that reduces impact on the planet. The resort has been designed with this in mind, ensuring sustainability is second nature for its guests.
Solar panels provide 30% of electricity needs, supplemented by low energy bulbs, fans and air-conditioning systems, as well as solar water heaters. Electric golf carts and buses transfer guests and luggage throughout the resort, and a biogas generator uses waste materials from the restaurant and gardens to fuel the bakery. Rainwater is collected and stored for the dry season, and wastewater is used to irrigate the gardens year-round. Recycling collection points and using up-cycled items are part of everyday operations.
Sustainability extends beyond the design of the resort: True Blue Bay uses locally-sourced fresh foods and grows vegetables and herbs onsite. All restaurant and other biodegradable waste are used as fertiliser, and non-vegetable waste is given to local farmers to feed animals. No plastic products are used and paper waste is limited. Regular beach clean-ups are also organised and encourage guest participation.
The Cliff Suites, Oil Nut Bay, British Virgin Islands
The Cliff Suites are a collection of three luxury one bedroom villas nestled into a rocky hillside overlooking Oil Nut Bay. The sensitivity of their design ensures they blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape; located at the highest point of the bay to maximise views of the stunning scenery, they have been placed within the hills rather than on top, allowing the forms to disappear within the existing landscape. The external colour palette features earthy tones, and green roofs planted with indigenous vegetation, further reducing the visual impact of the buildings.
These roofs have a number of sustainable benefits: they provide insulation to reduce air conditioning costs, improve air quality, absorb run-off water, and offer noise reduction. Furthermore, rainwater is harvested on site, solar panels are discreetly incorporated, energy conserving insulation is utilised, and roof overhangs act as shading devices. Floor to ceiling glazing offers beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea and blurs the line between internal and external spaces.
The Cliff Suites provide a particularly important example of how being respectful and responsive to nature, landscape and environment can create architecture that is unexpected yet luxurious, contemporary and charming.
Apes Hill Development, St. James, Barbados
The Apes Hill Development, comprising 475 acres of golf course and luxury villas, is one of the largest tourism projects currently under development in Barbados.
Set within the Scotland District, the site is formed from a sub-marine mountain range that rose above sea level, creating a particularly unique golfing location where nature flourishes. The development is committed to embracing and sustaining this natural environment, and view the 18-hole championship golf course as its own ecosystem.
The course has been designed around the existing gully system, preserving the natural habitats. An artificial lake will collect rainwater for irrigation; harvesting stormwater will also reduce flooding in nearby areas. Drought-tolerant grass is used to further reduce water consumption.
In addition to the golf course, there are approximately 70 acres of agricultural land within the resort; indigenous fruits and vegetables, as well as livestock will provide the on-site clubhouse with fresh produce following a “farm to fork” concept. Beehives, butterflies and other insects are integrated within the habitats for pollination.
The resort’s contemporary villas are designed and constructed sustainably, incorporating passive ventilation strategies, energy efficiency, natural fenestration, and photovoltaic panels. Electric vehicle charging points have also been included.
Apes Hill plans to build a solar energy farm to minimise its carbon footprint, furthering its commitment to becoming power neutral within three years of opening. Apes Hill is a fantastic example of how sustainability can be implemented and maintained throughout the entirety of a development.