Identity of Port of Spain through Architectural Design

Pre-Architectural Designs:

Source: Citizensforconservationtt.org.                                            Photo taken by Jhon Pierre Maxwell

In 1797, Governor Sir Ralph Woodford, a past Governor of Trinidad was concerned with the urban development. He designed a grid pattern of streets divided by several open squares, with a large landscaped promenade called the Marine Square, now known as Independence Square. Trinidad's early nineteenth century Architecture was typical of the Neo-Classical style popular under British colonial rule. The St. James Barracks is an example of this which can be seen in the figure above. Later in the century buildings became more decorative as demonstrated by the architecture of the Red House by Architect Daniel M. Hahn and later Queen's Royal College. After the great fire in Port of Spain of 1895, architect George Brown of Scotland redesigned the main commercial area, including Marine Square and lower Frederick Street, with a distinctive wooden structure, triangle roof top style which included verandas extending over the pavements providing shade and shelter to pedestrians.

Post -Modern –Architectural Designs:

Photo taken by Jhon Pierre Maxwell -   Photo taken from Independence Square - Eric Williams Plaza.

In the twentieth century, the movement of post and modern architectural styles emerged such as the Eric Williams Plaza locally known as the Twin Towers on the Independence Square. It is an icon of the Central Business District (CBD) of Port of Spain. The CBD is focal point of a city. It is the commercial, office, retail, and cultural center of the city and usually is the center point for transportation networks. The twin towers were one of the first twenty-two stories high and started construction in 1979. It was designed by Anthony C. Lewis and is named after the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Sir Eric Williams (GmbH 2016). The building incorporates a cultural and historic aspect by portraying two paintings of the cultural practices of Trinidad and Tobago to the right and the symbolic abstract painting of Trinidad and Tobago is blessed with to the left. The concept of the building is post modern and is constructed with steel and concrete. The purpose of the designs is to reflect a strong cohesion towards our cultural identity and not entirely conforming to foreign architectural concepts but also to revive the diminishing historic archetypes. The CBD with the addition of these historic elements does not isolate itself from the ones who look up at them figuratively and literally. 

Photo taken by Jhon Pierre Maxwell      -Office of the Parliament located in 1A Wrightson Road Port of Spain. 

Another example is the Office of the Parliament located in Port of Spain international waterfront center, 1A Wrightson Road. The architecture design at the ground floor shows the history of Trinidad and Tobago colonization in a two dimensional image. On the right side of the mountain in the image, one can obtain the presence of the Spaniards on their quest of Gold, God and Glory to Trinidad. The mountain in the center of the image shows the division between the indigenous people and the colonizer. Their differences of perception such as society, economy, their environment and culture where one will take imperialistic control. The designer was able to portray both groups’ protection gear and tools.

“In architecture, the term ‘modern’ is used to define the buildings designed by modernist architectural style, which insists to use contemporary thinking to design, rather than using historical items. However, in modern architecture, appearance was not as essential as function during the time between the 1900s and 1950s, and then through ‘postmodern’ buildings, ornamentation and aesthetics have gained importance in architecture” (Salman, et.al). Incorporating this diminishing historical and cultural design into modern infrastructure such as these high rise buildings can change the perception of Caribbean spaces which results in giving an identity to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.  The way in which our cultural and historical background is incorporated to the Central Business District gives to the grassroots population a sense of ownership, right, identity and pride (Rosenberg 2016). The space is not isolated from the public which increases their development of identity where one can inspect and understand the history of Trinidad and Tobago. This dynamic mixture of indigenous history and modern architecture creates post-modern Caribbean space for a common identity to feel as one. Future construction of high rise buildings should consider the importance of the developing this concept whether for residential, commercial and industrial.

References:

Celik, Selman, and Timothy Chapman. 2012. Has Postmodern Architecture Killed Modern Architecture? 1st ed. London: Goldsmith University of London.

GmbH, Emporis. 2016. "Eric Williams Finance Building, Port-Of-Spain | 124680 | EMPORIS". Emporis.com.

MacLean, Geoffrey. 2010. "Introduction to Trinidad And Tobago's Architecture". Citizensforconservationtt.org.

Rosenberg, Matt. 2016. "Why Do Central Business Districts Exist?". About.com Education. 

A GROWING POPULATION

Photo Taken by Kimara Dyer                       -Sub section of Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica

The nature of the city of Roseau is densely populated with a tightly packed infrastructural layout. The fundamental aspect of the city is the Central Business District (CBD) along with the people who dwell in and around the CBD within this city.

The photo shows a sub section of the city taken from the top floor of the Financial Centre which is the tallest building in the vicinity of Roseau. Located next to the Financial Centre, lays this small residential community with tightly packed small wooden framed houses that are known in French Creole as ‘Ti Kai’. These houses are made up of rectangular and triangular half hip galvanized roofs to withstand hurricanes. Some of the houses are made entirely of wood while others are made of concrete. There are a few houses made of both wood and concrete. The combinations keep the antique feel to the homes as time progresses and these materials are very common in the city of Roseau. Transition is shown from the original wooden houses to concrete structures as time progresses. These depict traditional urban architecture. Additionally, within the space the houses are single stories; however, on the outskirt of the tightly packed residential area, there are a few recently built two-storey houses and apartments present. The verandas of the two- storey homes are similar where they are connected by pillars and designed with loophole patterns. The houses are of a variety of colours as seen throughout the island.  Business places are usually of a neutral colour.

The organizational positioning of this space contains a mixture of residential and commercial structures. Though the tightly packed residential area is visible, it is situated in close proximity to some of the main business places such as the already mentioned Financial Centre, Cable Companies such as Digicel, Police and Fire stations, the Venezuelan Embassy and the Stadium which is located towards the south of the area; schools are also in close proximity of this area.  This is the typical architecture of the buildings found within the vicinity of Roseau, tightly packed with a combination of single and multiple storey buildings.

As the years progress, two main factors contribute to the establishment of this type of settlement arrangement (Knox 2001). Firstly, migratory patterns as a result of pull factors from the rural areas have lead to the building arrangement of this area. People migrate to the city to find a means of improving their lifestyle because of the many resources that the city contains. However, although there is the search for improvement in the standard of living of citizens, an informal sector develops as lack of jobs and unemployment contribute to poverty within the city Burgees (2002). Therefore, there is the development of these residential areas in pockets of the city which represent the level at which people start before they make a living that can sustain individuals and their household. In most instances, this is not achieved and people are faced with having to settle in areas of informal housing. Additionally, the growth in population due to natural increase is a potential contributor to the arrangement of this part of the city. On the outskirt of the informal housing, the picture shows an expansion as apartments are built to accommodate the growth in population as well as the migration from the rural area.

References:

Knox, Paul L.,Marston Sali A. 2001. Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context. Pearson Education

Burgess, Rod, and Mike Jenks, eds. 2002. Compact cities: Sustainable urban forms for developing countries. Routledge.

BROKEN SHACKLES

Photo by Kimara Dyer      -The 'Neg Mawon' Monument, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica 

The ‘Neg Mawon’ (Dominican French Patois) monument in English to be known as the Black (Negro) Maroons monument is a historic sculpture located at the roundabout, on the corner of Turkey Lane, Victoria Street and Castle Street, Roseau, Dominica.  The monument depicts the Neg Mawon Emancipation movement on the island in 1838. It symbolizes the victory over hardship and a mark of resilience and force. The sculpture honors Dominica’s African Ancestors and the contribution to the diverse culture. This is elaborated in the articles of Kerns (1993) and Kostof (1991) as they speak about the design of urban spaces, how these urban spaces were influenced by history, and the impact that it has on contemporary culture.

The statue is carved in the shape of a male human being. This sculpture portrays a man who was once enslaved but now has been freed due to the Emancipation Act of 1838. With only a pair of short pants up to the knee indicates the dressing of the slaves in the past. Carved on the wrists of the hands are broken shackles which reveals that the slaves were once chained but are now broken and allows us to be free today.  The sculpture also exemplifies the influence of the colonial rule on the islands culture. The slaves from Africa came to Dominica with their original beliefs and practices from their homeland. However, while working on the plantations under the control of the British and French, these beliefs and practices have been mixed and altered as time progressed. As a result, one main area of Dominica’s culture which is a result of this combination is the language. Though the dominant language spoken is English, the Dominican population speaks fluent French patois as well. French patois is the language of ‘broken French’ which has been influenced when the island was ruled by the French. It was developed to create a language different from the Europeans for effective communication against the Europeans.

Additionally, the conch shell was carved in this monument as it has a significant historical meaning. The conch shell is used as a horn because of the loud sound given off when blown. It is used as a means of communication to alert the entire community that something is taken place. The conch shell has been a part of the rich culture of the island as it is used to create music by local band such as WCK. It is also used by fishermen. After capturing fish, the fishermen walk through every nearby community blowing the conch shell alerting that fresh fish is for sale. It is still a common practice in villages today! When placing the conch shell next to the ear, it elicits the sound of the surrounding environment where it is found, and most often that reflects the waves of the Caribbean Sea/ Ocean.  

The Neg Mawon Monument was constructed by Mr. Franklyn Zamore, a retired local welder on the island of Dominica. August 1^st 2015 marked the 177^th Anniversary of Dominica’s emancipation from slavery.

The video clip below plays a popular ‘bouyon’ (local band music) song from one of Dominica’s local bands-'WCK'.  The music has a combination of the French patois and English as well as the conch shell used as an instrument. This music is most prominently played throughout the carnival season.

(Throughout the song, Conch Shell Instrument played most prominent at 4:23 and French Patois sung most prominent at 1:20)

References:

Kostof, Spiro. 1991. The city shaped: Urban patterns and meanings through history. Thames and Hudson.

Kearns, Gerry, and Chris Philo. 1993. "Culture, history, capital: A critical introduction to the selling of places." Selling places: The city as cultural capital, past and present 1-32.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bhHyrpKxZE

EUROPEAN INFLUENCE ON CARIBBEAN ARCHETYPES AND THE TRANSITION TO POST COLONIAL ARCHITECTURAL STYLES

Photo Taken by Kimara Dyer      -National Public Library, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica

European imperialism led to the development of cities within Caribbean countries because of the urge for economic and political control. As a result, the cities created centers of administration, political control and commerce (Paul 2001). Evidence of this is disclosed in the article of Niddrie (1996) as hasty permanent settlement was the main factor concentrated on by the British Governments for the ceded islands and the settlement patterns shaped the structural arrangement of the city. The early European dominance on the island of Dominica grafted onto the existing settlement and introduced European architectural design within the city; utilizing local material such as wood, which was in abundance on the island. Thereafter, European influences along with the indigenous and African heritage lead to the development of Caribbean archetypes. 

Today, along Victoria Street lie a blend of old and new architectural buildings within the capital of Roseau; however, prominence is placed on the nations National Public Library. Along this street lies one of the oldest buildings on the island of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Built in 1906, Dominica’s Public Library was administered and designed by the first Crown Colony Administrator Mr. Henry Hesketh Bell. Though blueprinted by Mr. Bell, the Library was funded by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.  The building is a one story chalet with a large basement. Besides the ramp and the basement, the library is built entirely of sturdy timber bordering.  Jalousie shutters are built into the structure to withstand the hurricane season associated with majority of the Caribbean Islands. The sleek veranda portrays that of a Georgian- style design and is extended around the entire periphery of the building.  The steeply pitched roof is made of galvanize with a double roof structure and gables that resist the wind.  The southern end of the building overlooks a small garden and the Caribbean Sea.

This building portrays traditional architecture which has essentially remained the same since 1906 with minor modifications. The library is now known as the Public Library of Dominica and is home to local, regional, and international books. Specific attention is placed on reference books of the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, Dominica. The historic architecture of the Caribbean portrays the diverse cultures and ethnic groups that came together to make the Caribbean the cultural melting pot it is today (Crain 1994). The first Crown Colony’s Administrator’s contribution of this composed architecture of the Public Library has contributed to the island’s urban geography of history and culture as many other buildings built after the library was based on this design.

References:

Crain, Edward E. 1994. Historic architecture in the Caribbean islands. University Press of Florida.

Knox, Paul L.,Marston Sali A. 2001. Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context. Pearson Education.

Niddrie D. L. 1966. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, No. 40 ,pp. 67-80

Dominica Architecture: https://books.google.tt/books?id=UNUSbvkWDP0C&pg=PA98&lpg=PA98&dq=architecture+of+Dominica+library+Hesketh+Bell&source

Throughout the Caribbean some countries are more developed in architectural design. Comparing the national library of Dominica to that of Trinidad, it is evident that the initial design has the same historical background influenced by European intervention. However, Trinidad has entered the post colonial era as they have modified their National Library.

Photo taken by Jhon Pierre Maxwell                           Source: Uwispace.sta.uwi.edu.

Present Fire Station and National Library 2016         Old Fire Station – Trinidad 

The Trinidad and Tobago National Library was first established in Port of Spain in 1851. The architecture and the design portray a postmodern architectural design. Postmodernism describes the colourful styles of architecture and the decorative arts that appeared in the late 20^th century in reaction to Modernism. (Waters 2016). The NALIS Library shows a polished pyramid layout. Each floor of the building has its own category of books. It is constructed with concrete and steel with a built in elevator.

The old fire station which was used as a theatre workshop for 10 years (1989-99), is currently part of the library. It was constructed in 1896/1897 and refurbished in 2000. The British architectural influence from the age of colonialism is evident in this building. The roof tops are traditionally triangularly shaped. The structure and stability of the building itself is stabilised by strong concrete which was shipped to Trinidad by the European colonies.

The national Library has contributed too many significant academics and preservation of History. These two architectural designs, old and new portrays the different periods of development within the urban space as time progressed. It also shows the integration of different traditional architectures within the city of Trinidad, Port of Spain.

References:

Oriens Ex Occidente Lux, 2010. University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Trinidad. "Fire Station, Port Of Spain, Trinidad". Uwispace.sta.uwi.edu. N.p.

Waters, Suzanne. 2016. "Postmodernism". Architecture.com. N.p.,  

THE BRIAN LARA PROMENADE

Photo taken by Jhon Pierre Maxwell            -The Brian Lara Promenade, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Off great importance to the Caribbean Region is the game of cricket as it relates to Caribbean History (Stoddart 1995). Initially, cricket was a European sport, but Colonial intervention and slavery, has caused an evolution as the sport is now the most popular game within the Caribbean region. Cricket stands for accomplishment and victory within the region where the West Indies cricket team showed the capability of playing the sport just as well as the Europeans, and has made History with the achievements gained. Historical achievements are elements which contribute to the design of urban spaces, as sculptures are created to represent and remind society about the events of the past that has shaped the history and culture of the country today.

On the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, a West Indian icon to be remembered and honored, Brian Charles Lara was a phenomenal batsman who once played on the West Indies cricket team. He holds the record for the highest individual score in first-class cricket, with 501 not out and is the only batsman ever to have scored a hundred, a double century, a triple century, a quadruple century and a quintuple century in first class games. Many international awards have been presented to this incredible sportsman and in honor of Brian Lara’s sports achievements; a statue of him was built on a promenade and was named the Brian Lara Promenade which is a walkway on Independence Square.  The bronze statue designed by Bronze Depot Inc. is an iconic semblance of Brian Lara and is openly displayed to the general public within the urban space of Independence Square, Port of Spain.

Remarks by Ambassador Irwin Larocque, secretary-general of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) stated, “Our Region has produced several world renowned sportsmen and women: Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell Brown, Kirana James, Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul among others.” Since the emergence of this statue, it gives the population the idea that the development of sports and youth development is an important aspect in the Caribbean. Brian Charles Lara world record has not been broken to date which explains the reason he is in the execution of the bat position on top of the world.  

The success and victory that cricket represents, is a powerful social force. It is a force which unifies different islands because of the love of the game which brings forth togetherness. Within the urban city, Port of Spain, the sculpture has contributed to the development of the city as the architectural design elicits open space within the city. The statue of the West Indian icon in cricket is used to bring society together on the promenade for recreation as it represents unity.  The promenade and by extension the Independence Square have received expansion with the addition of  the green open space, benches, bins, and decorations of light poles and is a great place for open events. As a result, this open space is designed to accommodate citizens as it is used as a form of relaxation and for ‘Trinbagonians’, nationals of Trinidad and Tobago where they go to ‘lime’, that is to socialize.

References:

Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM),. 2012. The Twenty-Second Meeting Of The Council For Human And Social Development (Cohsod) On Youth Culture And Sports.  

Stoddart, Brian. 1995. "Cricket and colonialism in the English-speaking Caribbean to 1914: towards a cultural analysis." Liberation Cricket: West Indies Cricket Culture : 9-32.

OPEN SPACES

Photo Taken by Kimara Dyer                         -Peebles Park, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica

In 1928, Captain Peebles, Chief of Police and at times Acting Administrator, aimed at developing a small park for the establishment of a monument as a memorial to those who had died in the First World War.  This was created out of an abandoned lot of land where the planting of flowering trees and the placement of benches created an open space to accommodate the public combining the memorial meaning with a space for open communal interaction. In the Caribbean, elements such as monuments with a historic meaning to the island are commonly used as the centre to bring togetherness among citizens. As a result, Captain Peebles contributed to the design of the urban city with the inclusion of a space for recreation.

The architectural design of the park integrated a wide open space with concrete benches. These benches are simple with no backs but large enough to seat four people. They are located on either side of the trees to give shade from the sun. Towards the north of the Park, there stands a gazebo.  The structure is shaped like a hut with a cone shaped galvanized roofing and a circular bottom and an open space configuration. The layout is painted in white and green to blend in with the natural environment.

Peebles Park is a popular recreational space bordering the city of Roseau in close proximity to the coast. Located on Victoria Street, the space is open to the public. The purpose of the space has evolved over the years as it is utilized in a number of different ways. After a long Saturday morning walk in the streets of Roseau in the hot sun while running errands, one tends to come here to sit under the trees and take in the cool breeze from the nearby sea. Others use the space to eat and mingle with friends. As seen in the photo, homeless people utilize the area to do the same.

Though the photo shows a homeless person on the sidewalk, they also occupy the interior of the space. The Peebles Park is a space where homeless people often separate themselves away from the harsh reality of the urban city.  On a wider scale, business companies use the area for charity events, fundraisers, as well as, children fun days. During the independence season, cultural dances take place within the circular interior and are a part of the independence festivities. There is no discrimination in this public space; it is open to all, the rich, poor, young and old.

A growing concern in urbanism addressed in the articles by Hou, 2010 and Olmsted, 1870 is the increase in the population density within the urban space and the availability of areas for the sole purpose for relaxation. Though the park provides recreation for the contemporary population, soon these parks will be undersized to accommodate the growing population. As a result, alternative architectural design would have to be implemented to accommodate the expansion of this growth. Olmsted (1870), states that the increase in activity within the city from the growth in the social and economical sectors would cause an expansion or the creation of parks for mental recuperation and calm contemplation for park visitors. In turn this would improve the city as there is space for stress relief encountered in the chaotic city and crowded streets. As a result, expansion of green open spaces such as Peebles Park is a future concern for the growing population.

References:

Hou, Jeffrey, ed. 2010 Insurgent public space: guerrilla urbanism and the remaking of contemporary cities. Routledge.

Olmsted, Frederick Law. 1870. "Public parks and the enlargement of towns." The urban design reader: 28-34.

LOVE IN CARIBBEAN ARCHITECTURE

Photo taken by Jhon Pierre Maxwell                          -In front of Duncan Street Port of Spain

Where is the love the local citizens crave for? On the east edge of Independence Square in Port of Spain from Duncan Street, Picadilly Street and Besson Street is known to be the periphery of Port of Spain. Crime and deviance are at high rates associated with gang violence. It is a phenomenon that exists within both rural and urban spaces. According to Glaeser (1996) crime rates are much higher in big cities than in either small cities or rural areas, and have been relatively pervasive for several centuries. This theory is further expanded by Marxist who expound on the theory that crimes are committed due to social class differences (Peet 1975).  People in the periphery who gain a minimal wage salary have the potential to engage in criminal activity in order to get access to the luxury and wealth associated with the Central Business District (Crime 2016).  To some it is their way of livelihood and the city is used as the source of victims.  In Trinidad and Tobago within recent times there has been an increase in the amount of crime. From the year 2000 crime began to increase and has continued that trend until it peaked in 2008 with 550 murders, after which it showed a decline to date (TTcrime 2016).

On the initial visit to Picadilly Street, pictures were taken in the spectrum of daylight. A short interview was conducted with an elder within the community as he expressed the high risk of wandering through the dangerous streets and informed that a high level of crime is associated with this area. Upon leaving Picadilly Street, the elder took contact information to confirm safety when leaving the area.

 Walking out from Picadilly Street towards Duncan Street, a sense of plead and compassion came from the walls of the road of Independence Square in the form of graffiti. Although crime is associated with the communities on the periphery, there are segmented groups within the community who are calling out for help. “LOVE” written on the walls of the building, light-pole and post box, indicates the communication to the public against the criminal activities associated with this area. The architectural design and pattern of the building had abstracts of persons which represent the people of the community. The buildings were abandoned and had no form of protection such as gates, fences or security. As a result of no restriction of public amenities, the community took the opportunity to express their plead through graffiti in public spaces expressing the frustration of the crime and the unhappiness brought about by hatred and fighting.

The theory of Neoliberalism emphasizes the idea of a system that is adapted by  imperialistic United States of America and other developed countries where high rise buildings is considered ideal or better and should be applied to Latin America and The Caribbean. Port of Spain has adapted some aspects of the imperialistic United States of America and other developed countries. Additionally, Elizabeth Martinez and Arnoldo Garcia (2000) stated that, “Neo-liberalism is a set of economic policies that have become widespread during the last 25 years or so. Although the word is rarely heard in the United States, you can clearly see the effects of neo-liberalism here as the rich grow richer and the poor grow poorer”.

Considering that developing countries such as Trinidad and Tobago have different historical and cultural behavior than that of the imperialistic countries, overtime, policies implemented have failed. This failure has lead to an evolution of criminal activity as the policies implemented do not properly address the nature of the problems associated with the Caribbean. Additionally, Privatization imposed by these imperialistic cooperation’s within the urban Caribbean spaces created a capitalistic system which maintained low incomes among people. Therefore, due to not being able to survive on minimal wage and growing in this highly materialized world, the desire to want or need material will increase and may be taken illegally.

The word “Love” written on the objects and architectural design of the building therefore indicates the effects neoliberalism when applying the western idea of development towards colonial territories. The architectural design used in this Caribbean space gives the community an opportunity to express this. Caribbean architecture is being used in this form in the urban space. Stating Love is within the people.

References:

"Crime". Urban Livihood. N.p., 2014.

Garcia, Arnoldo, and Elizabeth Martinez. "What Is "Neo-Liberalism" | Global Exchange". Globalexchange.org. N.p., 2000.

Peet, Richard. 1975. "Inequality And Poverty: A Marxist-Geographic Theory∗." Annals of the Association of American Geographers 65.4: 564-571.

"Trinidad & Tobago Crime Statistics". Ttcrime.com. N.p., 2016. 

THE EVOLUTION of DOMINICAN 

ARCHITECTURE

Photo taken by Kimara Dyer               -Ruins Rock Cafe, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica

This photo is taken down town, King George V Street, at the Old Market Square in the main city of Dominica, Roseau. This stone masonry is one of the most popular bars on the island called, “Ruins”. Originally, this building was not built for the sole purpose of a bar and restaurant; however, it has been reconstructed over the years to fit that purpose. This popular bar is where most people come to ‘lime’ (relax) on a Friday evening after a long hard working week. People of all ages patronize the bar and the local exotic drinks and spices sold are very unique.

The single-story building is made of a variety of materials. The top section depicts that of sculptured stone and the base is made of a mixture of stone and concrete. The doors are made of bamboo which is a local material on the island. The bamboo is painted in colours of the flag which depicts patriotism.  A combination of wood, concrete and bamboo generates historical architecture within the space of the city. The mixture of local material to complete this building structure shows the character of the content sold within the bar. The bar sells strictly local drinks and gives a Caribbean ambiance which makes it comfortable for locals as well as tourists to enjoy.  Also common to the city is that of the bench located in front of the building. These benches are not solely created as a place to sit but are sponsored by local businesses and serves as a form of advertisement.

On the island, there are many other buildings similar to the one displayed. Often times, a section of a broken down building is utilized for a specific reason which differs from the original purpose. The photo shows that this building was initially a two storey building which is evident from the visible extended stone columns above the first storey which has been dilapidated due to the notorious hurricane seasons in the past.  This has become traditional architecture where the history of the building is not lost and one is able to envision the material and structure of the buildings of the past. As a result it gives the area an antique setting downtown by the Old Market.

As time passed into the 20^th and 21^st century, Caribbean cultures have begun to adopt more modern approaches to construction while working to preserve the past (Crain 1994). As time progresses, urban settlement patterns change with time and architectural forms evolve (Paul 2001). Crane and Paul’s depiction is illustrated on the island of Dominica. The utilization of existing infrastructure to develop a new architectural design for a purpose which differs from the original intention creates a new and unique architectural form on the island of Dominica. This is seen throughout the island in the rural and urban spaces. As a result the early structural design is visible; and this in turn develops a sense of place down town as it depicts true traditional architecture as the structure of early and modern design are combined.

References:

Paul Knox, Paul L., Marston Sali A. 2001. Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context. Pearson Education

Crain, Edward E. 1994. Historic architecture in the Caribbean islands. University Press of Florida,