Architecture that carries memory
2024 ยท Personal project
A visual exploration of the colourful Chattel Houses, whose architecture tells the story of Barbados' past and the resilience of the communities that built them.
Context
Rather than illustrating individual buildings, I wanted to capture the rhythm created by their repetition. Although every Chattel House follows the same architectural language, each one changes through colours, doors, windows and small details, becoming a portrait of the families who have lived in them over generations.
History
Originally built as lightweight modular houses for enslaved people working on the plantations, Chattel Houses could be dismantled, moved and expanded as families and circumstances changed. Their flexibility became part of their identity, and today they remain one of the most recognizable symbols of Barbados.
By combining recurring architectural elements with small variations, the illustration reflects the balance between a shared identity and individual stories.
Tools
Illustrator
