Art and Design U1P1 Architecture History

What is Vernacular architecture?

Local construction using traditional materials

What factors impact Vernacular architecture in the Caribbean?

Temperature, Rainfall, Wind Velocity, Earthquakes and Volcanic Activity, Fire, Building Materials, Human Activity

How does temperature affect Caribbean architecture?

Encourages ventilation rather than warmth conservation

How does rainfall influence habitation types in the Caribbean?

Low areas are drier than higher terrains

Why has Caribbean architecture evolved to minimize hurricane damage?

Due to the annual hurricane season

What type of seismic activity is more common in the Caribbean?

Seabed seismic activity

What has been a significant cause of destruction in Caribbean towns and cities?

Fires exacerbated by strong winds

What materials have been used in Caribbean building construction?

Local hardwoods, palms, stone, and imported materials

How has human activity shaped Caribbean architecture?

Social and economic activities influence building styles

What was the state of the Caribbean environment before Columbus?

Covered with dense forests and mangroves

What type of dwellings did the Paraujano tribes live in?

Stilt houses and barbacoas over water

What is a caneye?

A conical, pointed-roofed family hut

What is a Bohío?

A distinctive Amerindian dwelling design

How did the design of the Bohío evolve over time?

Adopted traditional tent shapes and materials

What materials were used to construct the Bohío?

Palm fronds and local materials

What plant provided materials for the Bohío construction?

The Royal Palm

How did Spanish colonizers adapt Amerindian designs?

To resemble traditional Spanish architecture

How long did Spanish architecture dominate Caribbean architecture?

About 130 years after 1492

What characterized Gothic architecture?

Pointed arches and rib vaulted ceilings

What is the Cathedral of Santo Domingo known for?

Being a prominent example of Gothic architecture

What is Baroque architecture known for?

Highly detailed forms and large-scale decoration

What is Neoclassical architecture characterized by?

Grandeur of scale and simplicity of forms

What influenced British architecture in the Caribbean?

Jacobean style and Georgian architecture

When was the first British building constructed in the Caribbean?

In the 1620s

What is a key feature of Jacobean architecture?

Plain exteriors with large windows

What is Georgian architecture known for?

Symmetrical classical buildings with elegance

Compare and contrast Spanish Colonial architecture and British architecture in the Caribbean?

Spanish Colonial: Dominated for 130 years post-1492; Influenced by Gothic and Baroque styles; Used local materials and adapted designs

British: Began in the 1620s; Featured Jacobean and Georgian styles; Emphasized plain exteriors and symmetry

When was St. Nicholas Abbey built?

Between 1650 and 1660

What architectural style is St. Nicholas Abbey built in?

Jacobean style

What does Jacobean refer to?

The reign of James I

What are the main features of Jacobean architecture?

Plain exteriors, large windows, symmetrical designs

What materials were commonly used in Jacobean architecture?

Brick over stone

What is the time span of Georgian architecture?

1714 to 1830

What characterized Georgian architecture?

Symmetrical classical buildings with elegance

What are common features of Georgian buildings?

Columns, pediments, sash windows

How long did it take for Neo-Gothic architecture to become popular after St. Michael's Cathedral?

50 years

What is the Neo-Gothic style known for?

Reviving medieval forms

What are the main characteristics of Neo-Gothic architecture?

Stone structures, pointed arches, large windows

How did the French settlers differ from the English settlers in the Caribbean?

They were eager to establish permanent roots

What did the French Governor aim to create in the Lesser Antilles?

A Caribbean Versailles

What architectural features were common in subsequent French plantation houses?

Dormer windows, verandahs, louvred shutters

What distinctive roofing material was used in French architecture?

Fish-scale tile

What characterized Rococo architecture?

Curved forms and gentle pastel colors

When was Rococo fashionable in France?

1717 to 1750

What was the first structure built by the Dutch in the Caribbean?

Fort Kyk-over-al

What year was Fort Kyk-over-al built?

1621

What was the purpose of Fort Kyk-over-al?

Slave trading post

What is a common feature of Dutch architecture in Aruba and Curaçao?

Curved gables

How did Dutch architecture adapt in the 18th century?

Galleries were constructed onto facades

What is a notable influence of North American architecture in the Bahamas?

Mixture of imported and local traditions

What is the balcony house known for?

Its balcony overlooking the market square

What is Jacaranda House recognized for?

Its peaked roofs and curved mansards

What materials supported homes in smaller islands?

Cut limestone coral blocks

What architectural feature is integral to Caribbean architecture?

The rural hut

What is the French-style basic hut called?

The case

What is a characteristic of the modular hut used by indentured workers?

Lightweight construction from prefabricated wood

What are chattel houses known for in Barbados?

Being lightweight and moveable

What influences did Mudejar architecture bring to Spanish architecture?

Ornate Gothic with Muslim design features

What is a common feature of Mudejar influences?

Elaborate wooden ceilings

What does the term "Mudejar" refer to?

Islamic influences in Spanish architecture

How did the Bosnegers' architecture reflect their background?

It showed African influences without European methods

What was the Arawakan ajoupa's influence on Bosnegers' architecture?

Raised roof of open day-huts

What is a characteristic of European huts?

Entrance on the longer side

What was the purpose of rainwater gutters in Caribbean architecture?

To channel water due to shortages

How did shipwright skills influence Caribbean architecture?

Buildings were pegged together with wooden dowels