Architecture of Anguilla

Last updated

Anguilla's architectural environment showcases its rich cultural heritage and architectural innovation spirit. The island's architectural environment combines traditional Caribbean contemporary design to reflect both historical impact and modern aspirations.

Contents

Historical Context

The architectural evolution of the Anguilla was driven by a variety of cultural and historical factors. The early structures were influenced by Arawak and Caribbean indigenous designs that utilized local materials, such as coral stones and palm leaves. During the colonial period, the European style was introduced to bring most of the island's traditional architecture together. An example is Wall Blake House, which was built during the colonial period in 1787, which is one of the oldest structures on the island. [1]

Contemporary Architects and Notable Works

In recent decades, Anguilla have featured architects who have contributed significantly to their architectural identity:

Vanburn Andy Brooks

Brooks, principal of Morlens Architectural Services, was instrumental in designing the structure that combined functionality and aesthetic appeal. His work on ANGLEC buildings demonstrates a modern approach while preserving local architectural traditions. [2]

"Sugar George"

An architectural designer known for The Beach House in Mid Bay, his architecture is described as an "amazing modern masterpiece." His work won several awards, including the Best Architectural Single Unit in Anguilla and the Caribbean. [2]

V Architecture & Design Studio

Based in Anguilla, the studio specializes in architectural design and 3D visualization, and has contributed to both residential and commercial projects reflecting the island's unique characteristics. [3]

Preservation and Innovation

The Anguilla Archaeological & Historical Society (AAHS) plays an important role in preserving Anguilla's architectural heritage. They strive to record its historical structure and raise awareness of its rich architectural history. [4]

The modern development of Anguilla strives to balance itself with tradition. Projects like Altamer Resort, which has beach villas like Antilles Pearl, Brazilian Pear, and African Sapphire, show this harmony by reflecting the cultural heritage of Anguilla while providing luxurious amenities. [5]

Indigenous and Colonial Influences

Early architecture in Anguilla was made by the Arawak natives and the Caribbean with local materials, such as coral stones and palm leaves. As England colonized Europe in the 17th century, the architectural style of Anguilla also began to reflect colonial aesthetics. Buildings from this era include stone foundations, timber superstructures, and roofs. For example, there is Wall Blake House, which was built in 1787. This house remains one of the oldest farms on the island. [1]

Wallblake House, The Valley.jpg

Traditional Architectural Features

Traditional Anguillan architecture is characterized by:

Use of Local Materials

Structures commonly incorporated coral stone, lime mortar made from burnt coral and shells, and timber from local sources. [1]

Modern Architectural Developments

In recent decades, Anguilla has sought to find a blend of traditional building styles and modern architectural techniques. Modern designs often emphasize sustainability and harmony with natural environments. For example, certain resorts' Greco-Moorish architecture have transparent white pavilion lines that perfectly blend into the island's landscape along clean white sand. [5]

Overall, the architectural evolution of the Anguilla reflects its diverse cultural history, creating a unique and continuous architectural environment.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anguilla</span> British Overseas Territory in the Leeward Islands

Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and directly north of Saint Martin. The territory consists of the main island of Anguilla, approximately 16 miles long by 3 miles (5 km) wide at its widest point, together with a number of much smaller islands and cays with no permanent population. The territory's capital is The Valley. The total land area of the territory is 35 square miles (91 km2), with a population of approximately 15,753 (2021).

The history of Anguilla runs from the beginning of human habitation, probably via settlement from South America, through its colonization by the English in the early modern period, to the present day. Following a series of rebellions and a short-lived period as an independent republic during the 1960s, Anguilla has been a separate British overseas territory since 1980.

The music of Anguilla is part of the Lesser Antillean music area. The earliest people on the island were the Caribs and Arawaks, who arrived from South America. English settlers from St Kitts and Irish people colonized the island later. Unlike regional neighbors, however, the plantation system of agriculture which relied on chattel slavery never took root in Anguilla, causing a distinctly independent cultural makeup. The most recent influences on Anguilla's musical life come from elsewhere in the Caribbean, especially the music of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, as well as abroad, especially the music of the United States and the United Kingdom. Anguilla's Rastafarian heritage has played a role in the island's music and culture and produced influential figures like activist Ijahnya Christian and Robert Athlyi Rogers, the author of The Holy Piby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Index of Anguilla-related articles</span>

The following is an alphabetical list of topics related to the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coat of arms of Anguilla</span>

The coat of arms of Anguilla is the heraldic device consisting of a shield charged with three orange dolphins leaping over the sea. Adopted in 1990, it has been the coat of arms of Anguilla since that year. The escutcheon is featured on the flag of the territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Valley, Anguilla</span> Capital of Anguilla

The Valley is the capital of Anguilla, one of its fourteen districts, and the main town on the island. As of 2011, it had a population of 3,269.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport</span> Airport in The Valley, Anguilla

Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport is a small international airport located on the island of Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. It is located very close to The Valley, the island's capital. Wallblake Airport is also a featured airport in one of the Flight Simulator X game demos. It has a small terminal with no jetways and is the only airport in Anguilla.

The Saladoid culture is a pre-Columbian Indigenous culture of territory in present-day Venezuela and the Caribbean that flourished from 500 BCE to 545 CE. The Saladoid were an Arawak people. Concentrated along the lowlands of the Orinoco River, the people migrated by sea to the Lesser Antilles, and then to Puerto Rico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 Anguillian general election</span>

General elections were held in Anguilla on 21 February 2005 to elect the seven elected seats in the House of Assembly. The Anguilla United Front, an alliance of the Anguilla National Alliance and the Anguilla Democratic Party, won the elections retaining four of the elected seats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wallblake House</span>

Wallblake House is a heritage plantation house and museum annex in The Valley, Anguilla in the northeastern Caribbean. Built in 1787 by Will Blake, a sugar planter, it is stated to be the oldest structure on the island. Although gutted by the French in the late 1790s, it was rebuilt by the British and today has been fully restored, with its kitchen complex, stables and slave quarters intact. A church in the vicinity contains a stone fascia with open-air side walls and a ceiling, which is the form of a hull of a ship.

Patricia J. Adams is an Anguillan writer and former teacher. An annual award which bears her name is given each year by Anguilla’s Department of Education to the primary students in grades 3, 5, and 6 who excel in creative writing. She was the recipient of the Queen's Certificate and a badge of honour in 2012 on Anguilla Day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architecture of Lagos</span>

The architecture of Lagos is an eclectic mix of different types, styles and periods. Buildings range from traditional vernacular architecture to tropical modern architecture or a mixture. The oldest European-styled buildings date back to the 17th century. Elements of Portuguese architecture introduced by returnee ex-slaves from Brazil and the Caribbean, although present all over the city, predominates in places like: Lagos Island, Surulere and Yaba Municipalities. Colonial-styled architecture flourished during the Lagos Colony. The Lagos skyline is a mixture of modern high rise buildings, skyscrapers, dilapidated buildings and slums. Lagos has the tallest skyline in Nigeria. Skyscraper construction commenced in the 1960s. Several office and mixed-use buildings have been built by international developers and private equity firms. Modern buildings and structures have been a continuous development until date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treasury Building, Sydney</span> Heritage-listed building in Sydney, Australia

The Treasury Building, or the Colonial Treasury Building, The Old Treasury Building, or the Treasury Building & Premier's Office, is a heritage-listed former government administration building and now hotel located at the junction of Macquarie and Bridge streets in the central business district of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. Commenced in 1849 and completed in stages in 1851, 1853, 1900 and 1919 in the Victorian Neo-Classical and Italian Palazzo styles by NSW Colonial and Government architects Mortimer Lewis, Edmund Blacket, Walter Liberty Vernon, and George McRae, the building has been used variously by the NSW Treasury, the Audit Office, the Premier's Department, the Police Department, and the Ministry of Transport. In 1981 the building was sold to the InterContinental Hotel group, with a major hotel complex built on part of the site and much of the heritage building restored.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle House, Sydney</span> Historic site in Sydney, Australia

Kyle House is a heritage-listed commercial office at 27-31 Macquarie Place, in the Sydney central business district, in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by C. Bruce Dellit and built during 1931 by Stuart Bros. The property is privately owned. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

The architecture of Fiji has its own unique style and pattern. While Fiji is a famous travelling destination among tourists for its beaches and beauty, its architecture is unique and particularly attractive. Fiji is a pacific island belonging to the scope of tropical marine climate, whose capital and the country's largest city is Suva. As a coastal city, the main architectural style of the urban centre, Suva has a foreign classical beauty, antique as if back to a few centuries ago. It often reflects the socio-cultural heritage of the locale and the country. However, with the development in the society of Fiji and the spread of globalization, the architectural scenario has incorporated several foreign styles without affecting the original style and yet enhancing the aesthetic value. The richness of Fiji's architecture can be comprehended from diverse styles of architectural designs for different kinds of buildings. Moreover, the architecture of the country changes with region to region and has varied influences. Additionally, it is notable that the architecture of this country can provide insights to the architects around the world regarding the aesthetically appealing patterns and scientifically viable designs which would enhance the significance of the built environments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">COVID-19 pandemic in Anguilla</span> Ongoing COVID-19 viral pandemic in Anguilla

The COVID-19 pandemic in Anguilla is part of the ongoing global viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was confirmed to have reached the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla on 26 March 2020. On 26 April 2020, all patients had recovered and on 22 November a new imported case was announced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellis Webster</span> Anguillan politician and physician

Ellis Lorenzo Webster is an Anguillan politician and physician. He is the premier of the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla, first elected when he led the Anguilla Progressive Movement to victory in the general election held on 29 June 2020.

Cora Richardson-Hodge is an Anguillan politician who is leader of the Anguilla United Front. She is the member of the Anguillan House of Assembly for Sandy Hill. She has been Leader of the Opposition in the House of Assembly since 3 July 2020. She first won the seat in the 2020 Anguillian general election. She is a former Minister of Home Affairs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heritage Collection Museum</span>

The Heritage Collection Museum was a museum located in the East End district of Anguilla.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Wallblake House", Wikipedia, 2024-11-03, retrieved 2024-11-22
  2. 1 2 "ARCHITECT ANDY BROOKS SPEAKS ABOUT ANGLEC'S NEW BUILDING". The Anguillian : The Independent Newspaper of Anguilla. April 12, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  3. "V Architecture & Design Studio – Residential and Commercial Architecture & 3d Visualization in Anguilla" . Retrieved 2024-11-22.
  4. "Welcome". ANGUILLA ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
  5. 1 2 "20 Best Architectural Buildings in Anguilla: A Guide to Island's Top Structures – Engineers and Architects of America". www.e-a-a.com. Retrieved 2024-11-22.