When I think back to my childhood in the eighties, the Barbadian chattel house is one of my brightest memories. These tiny, wooden structures were distinctive landmarks dotted around a country that had left most of its slavery past behind. If I had known then that the chattel house was …
It’s no secret that unless you’re really creative it can be difficult to maximize space in a small house. If you’re lucky enough to have had the opportunity to design your own home, then you might have incorporated some innovative and savvy storage solutions in your space. However, if you …
In Barbados, the Town and Country Development Planning Office regulates all planning applications for land development. If you want to build a chattel house in Barbados, you have to apply for permission from the department. Failure to submit applications for development may result in the property being demolished. Town and …
The small home movement, also known as the small house movement, is a transition to homes that are smaller than one thousand (1,000) square feet. Homes in North America are large, with a median square footage of two thousand six hundred (2,600) square feet. However, many people are turning to the …
One of the first things you should do before you a build a chattel house, is to seek permission from your local building authorities. These procedures are usually the same as those required for a larger home. The authorities will be able to advise about the types of permissions are …
If you look at it from a high level, there is no obvious difference between chattel houses and concrete houses apart from aesthetics. Both of them provide shelter, they can be built economically, they both afford people the opportunity to experience home ownership and they are unique representations of Caribbean architecture. Difference …
There are many new chattel house designs popping up around the world. These designs come in various shapes and sizes and are suitable for a number of innovative purposes. The chattel house is an important feature of Barbadian and Caribbean history and is a symbol of independence. And, many local …
trip to Barbados, Grenada, Carriacou and a few other Caribbean islands will reveal a small wooden house sitting on a rocky foundation. This type of house is called a chattel house. In the Caribbean, the chattel house is a symbol of freedom, innovation and home ownership. Central to the theme of …