Architects Archives - Berkan Construction Services Inc.

12/10/2023 By Emily Collins Architects • Construction • General Information • Interior Design 0 Comments

Architectural and Design Trends for 2024

The allure of Caribbean living, with its sun-kissed beaches and lush landscapes, has always been a source of inspiration for architects and designers. In 2024, the world of architectural and interior design continues to evolve, offering exciting opportunities to create tropical dream homes that seamlessly blend with the environment while embracing modern comforts.

At Berkan Construction, based in beautiful Barbados, we’re at the forefront of these trends, ready to transform your vision into a reality. In this blog, we explore the top architectural and design trends for 2024 that are shaping the way homes are built in the Caribbean and other tropical locations.

1 Sustainable and Eco-Conscious Designs

With the world’s growing emphasis on sustainability, Caribbean homes are following suit. In 2024, we see a surge in eco-conscious designs. This means utilizing renewable energy sources like solar panels, energy-efficient building materials, and passive design features that optimize natural ventilation and lighting. Sustainable landscaping practices, such as rainwater harvesting and native plantings, also play a significant role in reducing the environmental impact of Caribbean homes.

2 Open-Air Living Spaces

One of the greatest appeals of living in the Caribbean is the year-round outdoor lifestyle. Architectural trends in 2024 favour open-air living spaces that blur the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors. Expansive patios, verandas, and outdoor kitchens provide a perfect setting for enjoying the island’s breathtaking views and pleasant climate. Sliding glass doors and wide, open windows are incorporated to maximize natural ventilation and connection with the surrounding environment.

3 Smart Homes and Automation

The integration of smart home technology is on the rise in Caribbean homes. Homeowners are embracing automation to enhance convenience, security, and energy efficiency. Features like remote-controlled lighting, climate control, and security systems ensure that your Caribbean home is not only luxurious but also functional.

4 Natural and Sustainable Materials

Caribbean homes in 2024 are characterized by the use of natural and sustainable materials. Coral stone, a traditional Barbadian building material, continues to be popular for its durability and distinctive appearance. Additionally, sustainable timber, bamboo, and reclaimed materials are widely used in construction and interior design. These materials not only provide a unique aesthetic but also contribute to the environmentally friendly ethos of Caribbean living.

5 Caribbean Color Palettes

The colour palettes for Caribbean homes in 2024 draw inspiration from the island’s vibrant surroundings. Soft blues, turquoise, seafoam green, and sandy beige dominate interior and exterior colour schemes. These hues create a calming and inviting atmosphere that complements the tropical landscape.

6 Indoor-Outdoor Living

The line between interior and exterior spaces will continue to blur as homeowners demand seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Wide sliding glass walls, spacious balconies and terraces, and multi-purpose porches designed for dining and entertaining will blur the boundaries between indoors and out. Multi-level floor plans that spill outdoors will also rise in popularity.

Indoor-outdoor bathrooms are now commonplace in Caribbean homes. These spaces often feature open-air showers, tropical gardens, and freestanding bathtubs positioned to take advantage of scenic views. It’s the epitome of luxury and relaxation.

7 Tropical Landscaping

Tropical landscaping trends include embracing native plants, creating sustainable gardens, and incorporating natural water features such as ponds and swimming pools. The idea is to maintain harmony with the natural surroundings while adding to the beauty and tranquillity of the property.

8 Sustainable Roofing

Roofing options are evolving to include sustainable and climate-appropriate choices. Reflective roofing materials, green roofs, and even solar shingles are becoming popular choices in 2024. These options help regulate interior temperatures, reduce energy consumption, and enhance the overall eco-friendliness of Caribbean homes.

9 Resilient Architecture

Given the region’s potential for hurricanes and other extreme weather events, resilient architecture is a growing trend. Homes are designed to withstand these challenges by incorporating features such as impact-resistant windows, reinforced structures, and elevated living spaces to minimize flood risks.

10 Open Concept Living

Spacious, flowing floorplans that seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor spaces will be key. Gourmet kitchens will join living and dining areas, while sliding glass doors, wide porches, and multi-level designs will maximize indoor-outdoor flow. Privacy and seclusion will also be important considerations.

In 2024, Caribbean homes are poised to become a harmonious blend of modern living, sustainability, and the breathtaking natural beauty of the region. At Berkan Construction, we are excited to be part of this transformative journey as we continue to adapt and incorporate these architectural and design trends into our projects.

Whether you’re considering building a new home or renovating an existing property in the Caribbean, these trends offer a glimpse into the possibilities that await you. Our expert team in Barbados is here to bring your vision to life, creating homes that embrace the best of modern design while staying true to the spirit of the Caribbean. Contact the team today.

Content Disclaimer

The information above is provided only for information purposes. The contents of this blog post are not intended to amount to advice. Berkan Construction disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this feature.

29/10/2021 By Emily Collins Architects • Barbados • Construction • Interior Design • Renovation Open concept • open floor plan • Open-plan 0 Comments

Is an open floor plan right for you?

Watch any HGTV show today, and the open concept or open plan layout is the design of choice for modern interior designers. And it is now a common choice for homeowners too who are busy opening their homes, removing internal walls and combining spaces such as the kitchen, living room and dining room.

Of course, open-plan layouts are not new. They have been around for centuries when everyone lived in one small room, around a fireplace, including the animals. However, our current understanding of an open floor plan was introduced in the latter 1900s with architects like Frank Lloyd Wright.

So, when it comes to designing your new Barbados home, should you opt for an open concept floor plan, or are several smaller rooms the better option?

Cross ventilation

This works best to keep your home cool when there is an unobstructed path for air to flow from one end to the other. So an open concept will definitely help with the movement of air through your house and passive cooling.

Improved natural lighting

Natural light can reach further into your home without light-blocking walls, making it feel larger, airier and brighter – and improving your mood!

Greater connection with outdoors

This is a trend that we’ll see increasingly more of during 2022. Known as biophilic design, incorporating nature in your home has a wealth of mental health benefits. And it looks great too.

Open floor plans make connecting with the natural environment much more accessible than with alternative partitioned options. For example, your living space, dining area and kitchen can connect directly with a patio or terrace.

Make everything feel larger

When rooms are partitioned by walls, they can feel small and dark. However, an open floor plan can make the spaces allocated to different home areas feel larger and lighter with a greater sense of space.

Greater flexibility

Without the limits of walls and partitions and no awkward spaces, you can arrange your furniture and areas with greater flexibility. And change them according to your needs at the time.

With the recent increase in working (and schooling) from home, open plan layouts have allowed spaces to perform multiple tasks. For example, dining and living areas can now act as a schoolroom, gym and office.

Brings everyone together

An open floor plan creates multi-functional spaces where living and being together becomes effortless. It also makes entertaining more manageable, especially when you have direct access to your terrace or patio.

Adds value to your home

Thanks to the TV shows, a home with an open floor plan is more visually appealing and considered more desirable and will sell for more than those with lots of smaller rooms.

Of course, there are some disadvantages to the open floor plan layout you should consider when designing your Barbados home.

Lack of privacy

Without walls, there is the potential for a lack of privacy. Whether they want to or not, everyone in the home is involved with what is happening in the main living space.

Sound transmission

Alongside the reduction in privacy is the increase in sound transmission – especially when there are children in the house.

Mess and smells

An open floor plan means there are fewer places to hide your clutter! With lots of areas in clear view, it’s essential to have everything cleared away, or the whole space looks untidy and messy. No walls and doors in the kitchen also mean there are no scent barriers!

This also means that cooking smells reach every area of the open-plan space, studying and office work may be disrupted by children playing and entertaining can be difficult if the kids want to watch TV.

There are several reasons to choose an open floor plan for your Barbados house – increased cooling, better lighting and an increased feeling of space.

However, if you have a family, they can be noisy and messy, and you might want to include an additional space to ensure some privacy for specific tasks. Discuss your options with your architect so that your property gives you all the pros of open-plan living while you can manage any of the cons.

Source

https://www.realhomes.com

https://architropics.com

29/09/2021 By Emily Collins Architects • Construction • General Information • Interior Design • Tips and Tricks air conditioning • construction materials • cool • energy efficiency • orientation • shade • ventilation 0 Comments

How to keep your Barbados home cool

When planning your new home in the Caribbean, your priority might be the design and aesthetics. You want your property to have the “wow factor”, with cutting-edge architecture that makes it stands out from the neighbours.

You might want to incorporate your environmental credentials and build with sustainability in mind at every step. Or your property could be all about the view!

Whatever your design motivation, when building in the Caribbean, your final design must solve the problem of how to keep cool.

During the summer months especially, the heat can become overwhelming. If you don’t want a huge electricity bill each month, you need to create a design responsive to the Caribbean climate with the maximum amount of shade and ventilation.

Many older colonial properties built in the Tropics tackled the issue with some clever design decisions we can still learn from today:

Courtyards: many houses were laid out around a courtyard, with arcades enabling residents to move from room to room in the shade.

Doors: typically very tall with small windows or postigos (blind doors) that could be opened to provide light and ventilation without disturbing the residents’ privacy by opening the whole door.

Ceilings: vaulted ceilings were not easy to build but were higher than flat ones and kept rooms cooler.

Mamparas: these swing doors, with decorative glass panels and fancy woodwork, were popular in the 1800s and allowed air to circulate between rooms.

So, if you’re considering building a home in Barbados or anywhere in the Caribbean, what principles should you consider? Here are our top suggestions to make your Barbados house cool throughout the year without relying too much on air conditioning.

1 Orientation

Where you place your home on your plot of land will determine how well you can maximise the prevailing winds and protect against sun exposure.

Architropics explains that the prevailing winds generally come from the east in the Caribbean, with the sun path passing primarily to the south for most of the year. The reason for this sun pattern is because the Caribbean islands are north of the equator.

If your design is rectangular, they recommend considering orienting the length of your building east to west. This orientation minimises exposure to the morning and evening sun.

However, the wish to minimise sun exposure needs to be weighed with taking advantage of the all-important prevailing breeze. Therefore, determine which rooms need the most ventilation and locate them towards prevailing winds.

Don’t forget to ask your architect about openings, roof overhangs, and where to locate trees and vegetation to create as much shade as possible.

2 Shade

Ask your architect for a shading strategy. Not only will this limit the sun heating walls and surfaced, which then transfers to interior spaces. Direct sunlight through windows, for example, can significantly increase the internal temperature of your home.

In Barbados, as the sun’s path tracks to the south for most of the year, horizontal shading is ideal for north and south-facing walls and openings.

A small roof overhang might protect the north-facing wall of a single storey home. At the same time, you will require a much larger overhang to shade an entire southern wall.

As with older home styles, verandas and patios can shade northern and southern facing walls when the sun is at its highest during the middle of the day.

Architropics recommends that walls facing east and west have vertical shading such as screens or vegetation to protect them from solar heat gain.

Large trees can also provide general, creating cooler air temperatures entering the house.

3 Ventilation

To create a comfortable indoor temperature without resorting to air conditioning, you need to have a constant, unobstructed flow of cool air passing from one side to the other.

This process is called cross ventilation and should be incorporated into the design process. You require a minimum of two openings on different sides of each room. This encourages air movement in the entire room and not just the corner.

For example, large casement and louvre windows and doors allow air to pass through almost 100 per cent of their opening. On the other hand, sash or sliding windows permit less than 50 per cent of its opening.

And make sure windows are protected in some way so they can remain open during rainfall or overnight without compromising your security.

It is also recommended that you include vents at or near roof level to let hot air escape and draw cooler air through lower-level windows. This technique is called the stack effect.

4 Materials and Construction

Concrete blocks, in-situ (cast-in-place) concrete, or masonry bricks are the preferred choice throughout the Caribbean. However, they absorb heat during the day and release this into the room at night. Lightweight materials do not store heat and are better for their thermal qualities.

Discuss the options with your architect but remember that concrete walls offer other benefits such as their resistance to hurricanes, flooding and mould. And if you use a mass wall system, shade them with roof overhangs, screens or shady trees.

5 Roof Design

As the most exposed area in your house to the sun’s rays, your roof is responsible for radiating considerable heat into a home.

Architropics recommends using light-coloured, reflective roofing materials to reduce the amount of heat passing through the interior.

They explain: “A double roof system also has benefits in reducing the heat that enters your home. Double roofs comprise two layers of roof. An air space typically separates the two layers. Hence, the upper roof layer protects the lower roof from direct sun exposure. This system significantly reduces the heat gain on a roof”.

Other solutions to keep your home cool include high roofs and steep pitches, which allow the heat to be safe from people in the space below.

6 Exterior Spaces

Within your new home, you’ll want to include plenty of outside spaces such as patios, verandas, and courtyards. These will be usable throughout the year and can provide shade to interior areas of the house.

Ensure that you partially or entirely cover exterior areas to provide both shade and protection when it rains.

7 Energy Efficiency

Shockingly, over 20 per cent of the world’s energy usage goes towards construction and maintaining houses, apartments and other residential buildings.

So, when building your new home in Barbados, ask your architect to use more energy-efficient strategies and practices such as:

Solar thermal panels for heating water
Solar/photovoltaic for electricity generation
Low wattage lighting
Water-saving devices
Rain-water storage

If your house is well designed, you should avoid or limit your use of air conditioning systems to keep your home cool throughout the year.

The team at Berkan Construction can work with you and your architect to ensure your new home is not only cool, comfortable and stylish but also functional and sustainable. Contact us today.

Source

architropics.com

insightguides.com

31/08/2021 By Emily Collins Architects • Barbados • Construction • General Information • Interior Design • Project Management • Tips and Tricks Architect • Construction • Interior Design • Planning • Project Manager 0 Comments

4 tips for building your Barbados house

Building your home in Barbados is an exciting time. Not only do you have the opportunity to live in this beautiful country, but you get to live in a house of your design.

While there is no magic formula, some tips simplify the process, especially if you are not on the island during the build.

1 Be flexible from the start

We don’t want to start with a negative but rather a dose of realism. Despite everyone’s best efforts, things will go amiss during the build. Suppliers will deliver the wrong products, and tiles will break, cables cut accidentally, permits delayed. However, patience, understanding and acceptance that this will happen will cut your stress levels when it does – and make the process more enjoyable.

2 Planning, planning, planning

Put in the time in the beginning to plan your project. Work out precisely what you want, your must-haves and non-negotiables. Think about your nice-to-haves. Can you afford them? Importantly plan your budget, so there are no surprises or disappointments later in the build.

3 Hire the right people to support you

Understanding construction cost estimates or Barbados’ building regulations can be daunting if you have no building knowledge. However, while bringing different professions on board during your build adds to the overall budget, it will pay off in terms of time, energy, stress and even money in the long term.

Architect

Your chosen architect will be your first point of reference. Not only will they design your home to your specifications, budget, structural limitations, and in line with building regulations, they will also manage planning permissions and any other permits. They can also liaise with an engineer.

Visit the Barbados Institute of Architects or speak with the team at Berkan Construction who can help.

Contractor

Selecting the right contractor for your budget is key to its success. You need to hire not just on price alone – but make sure they have a passion for their work, have the necessary qualifications, have an eye for detail and understand your vision. Always ask for references, visit some of their projects.

Berkan Construction makes the construction process as painless as possible by offering complete general contracting services, including site clearing, grading of land, and maintaining existing and erecting new structures related to building construction and maintenance.

In addition, the team offers commitment at all levels of a building project, from preparing for construction to construction management services. As a result, they successfully meet clients demands for cost-effective and responsive services.

Project Manager

Unless you are prepared to be on-site daily and understand the building process, planning and budgets, you need to employ a project manager. The role of the project manager is diverse, covering:

Managing the contractor
Ensuring the build is following the plan
Checking costs and orders
Following up deliveries
Keeping everything on schedule
Liaising with local teams

A good project manager will keep your build on schedule, on budget and safe from unscrupulous people who can jeopardise your dream.

Berkan Construction can provide this service for you. They provide overall planning, coordination and control of a project, so you don’t have to worry about anything.

Interior Designer

Don’t leave appointing an interior designer to the end of the project. Bringing a designer in at the early stages can save compromises and additional costs later on.

Knowing where you will place your dining table and sofa means you can place your electrical sockets in the right place. The colours, materials and style of your open-plan kitchen will have an impact on your entire living space. Without knowing the overall style of your new home, how can you choose flooring? And, knowing what type of window coverings you want will determine the type of windows and doors you install.

Use professional services

Before you sign, always use a lawyer to draw up your contracts and ensure you understand and agree with every aspect, including payments and liability.

And make sure you have construction insurance in place just in case mistakes happen. It will give you great peace of mind even if you don’t need it during your build.

4 Budget for the interior

Many house builders are so focused on building a beautiful home on the outside, and they don’t allocate a sufficient budget for the interior. This isn’t just for the kitchen and bathrooms but flooring, paint, lighting, furnishing, window treatments and all the little things that make a home.

If you are thinking of building a home in Barbados and need help and guidance, then contact the team at Berkan Construction. They will be more than happy to discuss your project and answer any questions you might have.

Just complete the contact form and book a discovery call today.

Tips for environmentally friendly building in Barbados

30/07/2021 By Emily Collins Architects • Barbados • Construction • General Information • Project Management • Renovation • Tips and Tricks Eco friendly • Environmentally friendly • Green builds • Sustainable 0 Comments

Environmentally-friendly construction in Barbados

In a recent Facebook post, we considered ways that you can make your Barbados build as environmentally-friendly as possible. Not only is an eco-approach good for the island, but it is also good for your wallet in the long term.

In this article, we thought we’d cover some of these points in further detail to help you with ideas to discuss with your architect and your construction team. At Berkan Construction we try to be as environmentally aware and sustainable as possible, so give us a call if you’d like to discuss this further.

Being environmentally sensitive in your house build or renovation isn’t just a personal choice anymore. The impact of climate change, increasing energy costs and the desire to build sensitively to minimize the impact of development all play their part.

Building and renovating in a sustainable way means:

Focusing on the efficient use of materials
Improving energy usage
Considering indoor air quality
Lowering emissions
Enhancing surrounding ecosystems

What about the costs?

Building sustainable property does not need to cost more than using traditional construction techniques. Moreover, once installed, lower operating and maintenance costs help recover any higher initial costs in as little as five years.

As green technologies develop and more homeowners make this choice, sustainable homes are becoming more viable as costs decrease. Indeed, reports in the US show that the average premium for green buildings in the US is slightly less than 2 per cent.

However, to achieve these savings you need an integrated approach to the house build covering the architect, contractor and other professionals.

It’s all in the planning and design

Ikigai Consulting has some great design ideas for building sustainably in the Caribbean. They include:

1 Before building new, consider renovation or remodelling. Homeowners can make significant savings on time, labour, materials, energy, and approvals.

2 When building from new, consider recycled and reclaimed building materials including discarded shipping containers, timber, stone, and metal sheeting.

3 Offset construction costs by collecting and reselling any unused materials.

4 Plan how to manage stormwater using permeable pavers, gravel pathways, green roofing and open grid systems.

5 Landscape areas across the site using native plants, trees and scrubs and avoid decorative lawns that require more water, chemicals and care.

6 If suitable for your Caribbean location, consider a rainwater harvesting system for non-potable purposes such as toilets.

7 Use lighter colours and solar reflective paints on the outside of your build to reduce mechanical cooling costs.

8 Consider building a smaller home that is more space-efficient. Not only is it cheaper to build, your ongoing maintenance and operating costs will be reduced and the environmental impact lessened.

9 A simple, open layout will reduce material, improve air circulation and increase natural lighting.

10 Use standardized dimensions rather than customised designs to optimize materials and reduce waste.

11 Make sure that the property is orientated not just for the view but for maximum airflow.

12 Ask your architect to incorporate large, operable, energy-efficient windows to allow more natural light and air into the property.

13 Install solar reflective films and tints to reduce solar gain and cooling costs.

14 Consider non-mechanical cooling techniques such as solar shades, elevated ground floors, evaporative cooling and solar chimneys.

15 Ask your contractor to increase the eaves around the property to reduce how much sun falls on the exterior walls.

16 Install low flow fixtures to conserve municipal water supplies and costs.

17 Choose LED fixtures and fittings to reduce your electricity costs. These are widely available in Barbados.

18 Install energy-efficient ceiling fans, appliances and equipment.

19 Install solar panels to reduce energy costs.

For further information and advice about your home build or renovation, contact the Berkan Construction team today or complete the enquiry form.

*https://www.buildings.com

13/09/2019 By Adam McDermott Architects • Construction Architect 0 Comments

Tips for choosing a Barbados architect

You’ve found the perfect plot of land on Barbados. You know you’ll be able to get a building permit. And you’ve watched every episode of Dream Homes on HGTV. You know what your want from your property. It’s now time to hand your dream to an architect and help them put your plans on paper.

But choosing an architect to bring your building project to life is difficult. Do they share your vision? Can they do what you want? So we’ve put together some tips to help you choose.

Category: Architects