Journal
Practical observations from drawing and building in Barbados, covering climate, materials, cost and the details that decide how a house performs.
7 articles
Design notes
The original Barbadian climate-responsive house was designed by necessity. Its lessons may be more relevant today than ever.
Historic (pre-1900) · Vernacular / Chattel houses / Climate-responsive design
Jahmal Springer, Lead Designer, Blue Island Projects
27 August 2026 · 11 min read
Design notes
Before we turn on the air conditioner, I want the building to try cooling itself. Barbados already has a passive-cooling vocabulary — shade, airflow, operable openings — and the architect's job is to translate it.
Historic (pre-1900) · Passive cooling / Vernacular / Verandas
Jahmal Springer, Lead Designer, Blue Island Projects
27 August 2026 · 9 min read
On site
Barbados has building standards, a standards authority and a wind-load standard. Without a single mandatory national building code, the design team must state which standard applies to the house.
Modern (2000s–today) · Building codes / Hurricane resilience / Regulation
Jahmal Springer, Lead Designer, Blue Island Projects
30 June 2026 · 5 min read
Design notes
The houses built here in the 1990s and the ones we draw today differ for concrete reasons — hurricane engineering, electricity costs, energy policy and water scarcity, not fashion.
Transition (1990s–2000s) · 1990s to now / Tropical modern / Passive cooling
Jahmal Springer, Lead Designer, Blue Island Projects
16 June 2026 · 5 min read
Sustainability
Barbados has committed to 100% renewable electricity and carbon neutrality by 2030. Most of that will be decided on ordinary rooftops — and a roof either is or isn't ready when the client can finally afford panels.
Modern (2000s–today) · Renewable energy / Solar / Policy
Jahmal Springer, Lead Designer, Blue Island Projects
9 June 2026 · 4 min read
Design notes
Restoration, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse are not the same thing, and confusing them is how good Barbadian buildings get ruined by well-intentioned work. Here's how I decide which one a building actually needs.
Modern (2000s–today) · Restoration / Adaptive reuse / Materials
Jahmal Springer, Lead Designer, Blue Island Projects
28 April 2026 · 4 min read
Newsletter
Choose the subjects you want to follow. We send notes when new work is published, and you can reply to any email to reach the studio directly.
