• Colombia!

    Colombia: Caribbean Sea coast. Go Now!

    Colombia
    Although most of the people live inland, Colombia also has its share of coastline along the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea (pictured). Go Now!

  • Ecuador!

    Ecuador: Sally Lightfoot Crab. Go Now!

    Ecuador
    The Galapagos Islands and Ecuador are home to incredible wildlife, such as the famous Galapagos Turtle and the lesser known, but more common Red Rock or Sally Lightfoot crab (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

  • Chile!

    Chile: Torres del Paine National Park. Go Now!

    Chile
    The Andes dominate much of Chile, including the breath-taking Torres del Paine National Park (pictured). However, the country also hosts the world's driest desert and a thriving metropolis. Begin Your Journey!

  • Venezuela!

    Venezuela: Los Roques. Go Now!

    Venezuela
    Rooted in Europe, Venezuela boasts an impressive history, culture, and beauty, including the Caribbean Coast (pictured). Explore Venezuela!

  • Bolivia!

    Bolivia: Salt flats. Go Now!

    Bolivia
    This hidden gem is full of surprises, from the impressive salt flats (pictured) to the migrating flamingos. It also clings to the most historic indigenous culture on the continent. Explore Bolivia!

Architecture of Guyana

Little remains of pre-Columbian Guyanese architecture. The indigenous people built almost exclusive from wood, although other natural resources were also used. Their building uses were also extremely limited in scope and nearly all construction was built for housing. Along the coast many of the houses were built on platforms in trees, perhaps to avoid the rains and flooding.

With the arrival of the Europeans came architectural styles from Europe. The first and most important architecture introduced came from the Dutch, who introduced land architecture as a means to lessen the flooding and to give the people more solid land as they built dikes and complex irrigation systems.

In the way of buildings themselves, the only native adaptation made from European styles was using the local wood as forests were plentiful and provided good building materials for the European settlers. Although bricks were used in limited numbers, they were generally too expensive so wood was almost exclusively used. Most of these early homes had verandahs to compliment the weather in Guyana and many of the homes the slaves lived in during the colonial days mimicked these European-styled homes, but tended to be smaller and simpler. The style of choice at this time was the Dutch Palladian style.

The early wooden houses struggled with fires and flooding, but were almost always rebuilt in the same style and design. Even today most buildings in Guyana are built almost entirely with wood in more traditional and colonial designs. Sky scrapers, modernism, and post-modernism are uncommon and today much of the architecture reflects that of the past.

This page was last updated: February, 2013