Historically the development of architecture in the Bahamas is mainly in response to the sub-tropical climate which has
had to combat intense sunlight and sometimes high wind and rain. Valuable lessons can be learned from the architecture of
the past. Such as porches, push-out louvred shutters (Bahama shutters), large eave overhangs and so on are common in the traditional
architecture of the islands. These elements use shade and the cooling breeze and should be taken into consideration when designing
a climate-compatible, but also effective economy-minded (air-conditioning) building.
In our opinion, a synthesis between the technological advances in modern construction and the time-honoured wisdom displayed
in the old island buildings, is needed. A common ground should be forged between past responses to design and present technology.
Beach Retreat
The solutions of the past that include a common sense approach to issues of climate, adjacency ans site, along with recent
advances in building, can be the starting point in creating a new architectural identity that will nevertheless be recognized
as uniquely Bahamian.
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