INNOVATIVə ARCHITECTURE

CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE IN GRENADA

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Grenadian architecture has been shaped by cultural influences. Consequentially, due to Grenada’s  colonial history the antecedence of current the architectural trends in Grenada and more over in the Caribbean, still remains a type of colonial form of architecture reflected in a rebranded post colonial. The current international trends of architecture speaks to a broad contemporary scope of architecture encompassing minimalistic, deconstructivity, post-modernist, organic elements etc. and a general mix of architectural styles within a material composition of concrete, steel and glass. The predominant architecture identified currently in Grenada is a mix of colonial with modern architecture. Modern architecture is a predominant style of architecture which emerged at the turn of the 20th Century and preceded the era of contemporary architecture.

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In Grenada there is very few record of contemporary architecture however slowly emerging due to change in global trends. The architecture within the spice isle of Grenada that would classify as contemporary architecture represented by clean fluid lines in geometry and fenestration, predominantly borrows characteristics of minimalist architecture. In general, Grenada is a little behind the times in terms of current architectural trends.

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There are a couple of reasons why Grenadian architecture has not reflected current global trends. Principally, from material availability to technical innovation and expertise, we in Grenada are at a disadvantage to readily resort to construction methodology which may yield ground breaking contemporary architectural forms. Indeed to accomplish such innovative measures would usually require for instance prefabricated construction and pre-engineered materials. Unfortunately in Grenada such measures are likely to result in exorbitant cost directly because materials and expertise may likely need to be imported.

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Secondly, contemporary architecture has not taken root in Grenada due to cultural and aesthetics preferences as per property owners. The Grenadian concept of what a house or building ought to look like in a tropical environment generally dictates owner's taste and architectural requirements. This is generally due to a lack of familiarity or rejection of global architectural trends, nostalgia for Grenadian living and a repetition of what is customarily built here. The insertion of some contemporary architecture in Grenada is primarily due to foreign property owners and returning nationals, whose travels have evolved their perspective on what a modern home or building ought to look like. As such architecture in Grenada remains a cultural derivative of personal taste.

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Although Dynamic Latitude advocates for more contemporary architecture in Grenada and a move to a more organic and fluid form of architecture of the future, the traditional form of architecture is appreciated within context. Contemporary architecture and architectural designs in Grenada ought to take into consideration the context and environment both historical and cultural or it can lose meaning and intent to satisfy the values of the occupants. Therefore contemporary architecture has its place and is not always applicable with historical and cultural context. In Grenada with the urban cityscapes of historical importance, the general impetus of architecture in these zones ought to move to more sustainable forms of architecture given our changing world and at the same time preserving the historical attributes with makes the image of Grenada familiar and makes us Grenadian..