Guyana's Perspective

Guyana’s cultural heritage has evolved out of rich potpourri of influences by the colonizers: Dutch, French and English who brought captive Africans to provide forced labour on their plantations. After Emancipation in 1838, indentured servants from Madeira, India, Africa and China contributed to the rich blend of cultures, out of which have come some unique customs.
This unique blend of cultures has resulted in the manifestation of craftsmanship, evident in the domestic architecture that is overwhelmingly wooden and elaborate. There is little doubt that our historic architecture is distinctive, especially in its expressive use of timber, architecture’s oldest building material. Fine architecture in most civilizations developed through a sustained and increasingly sophisticated use of the easily available local material of the area. Guyana, in its pre-independence days developed a fine tradition in timber architecture; a tradition which is now lost with the social appropriation for concrete and steel. Importantly, not only did these buildings show a sophisticated use of the local material, but the designs created showed a greater sensitivity to the local environment and climate than do many buildings of today. The nineteenth century domestic buildings of George-town are particularly expressive of this sophisticated use of timber and of environmental syncretism (a term used to describe colonial buildings in developing countries being appropriate structures for a new cultural context in a new environment). The local style of domestic architecture developed steadily reaching its zenith in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century’s, designed and built by master craftsmen.
The design of the city (Georgetown) is as a result of astute blend of elements: Dutch experience in water engineering, the orderly arrangement of living space by the British and the artistry of Guyanese builders which gave rise to grand buildings occupying large lots. Local genius is readily apparent in the abundance of architectural detail - intricate fretwork, baulsters, jalousies and the utilitarian Demerara Window visible in many of Guyana's public buildings, churches and dwelling houses.

Guyana’s pre-independence cycle stemmed mainly from the inhabitants of the country during this period. During the reign of the British, many things were passed down and have influenced the way in which we live and eat. The people that inhabited Guyana came from different mother lands and brought with them their cultures and traditions. Under the rule of mainly the British, these people said people were influenced by the ways in which they set up their dwelling quarters to even the food they ate. They designed the homes of the slaves and showed them how to prepare their meals. Their intricate designs have surpassed many changes over time.
The two main commercial centers during this time were Georgetown and New Amsterdam. The colonial architecture found in parts of Georgetown is still impressive wooden buildings with jalousies and high ceilings to facilitate ventilation, some featuring large, wooden verandas. In rural areas, there are many wooden buildings made up of many eclectic styles, but all are built on stilts to protect them from floods.
Many of the buildings that made it through the pre-independence of Guyana are mainly historical buildings such as churches, hospitals and some houses. Others were the many monuments that are prevalent today. Many of which were used in the times of war and for the representation of a figure of importance that signifies the incredible history of Guyana.
Buildings were usual made of wood and thus have faded away after awhile, but what remained was the unique designs that is a mixture of several cultures along with that of the colonizers.

Architecture

Architecture is the discipline dealing with the principles of design and construction and ornamentation of fine buildings. Architecture is the process and product of planning, designing and constructing space that reflects functional, social, and aesthetic considerations. Architectural works are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art.

Architecture first germinated out of the dynamics between needs (shelter, security, worship, etc.) and needs (availability of materials to build and attendant skills). Overtime, as human cultures developed and knowledge began to be formalized through oral traditions and practices, architecture became a craft. Early human settlements were mostly rural. Due to a surplus in production the economy began to expand resulting in urbanization thus creating urban areas which grew and evolved very rapidly.
In many ancient civilizations, like the Egyptians' and Mesopotamians', architecture and urbanism reflected the constant engagement with the divine and the supernatural, while in other ancient cultures such as Persia architecture and urban planning was used to exemplify the power of the state.
The architecture and urbanism of the classical civilizations such as the Greek and Roman evolved from civic ideals rather than religious or empirical ones and new building types emerged; architectural styles developed. Texts on architecture began to be written in the renaissance period. These became canons to be followed in important works, especially religious architecture.
The architecture of different parts of Asia developed along different lines from that of Europe, Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh, each having different characteristics. Buddhist architecture showed great regional diversity. In many Asian countries a pantheistic religion led to architectural forms that were designed specifically to enhance the natural landscape.

Types of Architecture Designs
There are three major types of architecture. Other forms of these are known differently and appear differently.
Gothic Architecture
This is a style of architecture which flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture.
Originating in 12th century France and lasting into the 16th century, Gothic architecture was known during the period as "the French Style", with the term Gothic first appearing during the latter part of the Renaissance. Its characteristic features include the pointed arch, the ribbed and the flying buttress.
Gothic architecture is most familiar as the architecture of many great cathedrals, abbeys and parish churches of Europe. It is also the architecture of many castles, palaces, town halls, guild halls, universities and to a less prominent extent, private dwellings.
It is in the great churches and cathedrals and in a number of civic buildings that the Gothic style was expressed most powerfully, its characteristics lending themselves to appeal to the emotions. A great number of ecclesiastical buildings remain from this period, of which even the smallest are often structures of architectural distinction while many of the larger churches are considered priceless works of art and are. For this reason a study of Gothic architecture is largely a study of cathedrals and churches.

Islamic Architecture
This style began in the 7th century, developing from a blend of architectural forms from the ancient Middle East and from Byzantium but also developing features to suit the religious and social needs of the society. Examples can be found throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Spain, and were to become a significant stylistic influence on European architecture during the medieval period.



Romanesque Architecture
This is an architectural style of Medieval Europe, characterized by semi-circular arches, and evolving into the Gothic style, characterized by pointed arches, beginning in the 12th century. Although there is no consensus for the beginning date of the style, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th centuries, examples can be found across the continent, making Romanesque architecture the first pan-European architectural style since Imperial Roman Architecture. The Romanesque style in England is more traditionally referred to as Norman architecture.
Combining features of Western Roman and Byzantine buildings, Romanesque architecture is known by its massive quality, its thick walls, round arches, sturdy piers, groin vaults, large towers and decorative arcading. Each building has clearly defined forms and they are frequently of very regular, symmetrical plan so that the overall appearance is one of simplicity when compared with the Gothic buildings that were to follow. The style can be identified right across Europe, despite regional characteristics and different materials.
Many castles were built during this period, but they are greatly outnumbered by churches. The most significant are the great abbey churches, many of which are still standing, more or less complete and frequently in use.