Creole and vernacular architecture: embryonic syncretism in Caribbean cultural landscape

Tracing across the complex histories of dominions and influences converging on Caribbean territories, this paper examines certain common historic threads that persisted into contemporary cultural landscape its architecture. As largest English island, Jamaica had one hundred sixty-one years (1494–1655) Spanish governance; in Lesser Antilles, Trinidad two ninety-nine (1498–1797). Drawing evidence from sixteenth- to mid-nineteenth-century archival iconography documentation wider Americas, identifies discusses a urban rural landscape. By 1834 emancipation declaration enslavement, acquired architectural syncretism at encounter between Indigenous buhio, or bohio, arrival Columbus 1492. This has since then propelled creole vernacular manifestations distinct forms Indigenous, European, African peoples period plantation enslavement. Gottfried Semper displayed ‘hut’ island 1851 Great Exhibition London, extending syncretic manifestation ‘primitive hut’ treatise birth modern While ascribing roots these styles traditional architecture, demonstrates value such architectonic connection with development furthermore, agenda sustainable development.