Architecture of the Marshall Islands
Most of the pre-colonial architecture in the Marshall Islands was limited to the construction of houses. These traditional homes were made of wood and were simple in design. They were often supported by large wooden beams and covered with a thatched roof. There was little other architecture built during this time.
When the Europeans arrived to the Marshall Islands they brought with them new building materials and techniques. This began a slow process of changing the traditional housing as today the variety of houses is vast. While traditional homes still exist, most commonly in rural areas, most houses in the cities are now constructed of concrete or plywood and the roofs are often made of sheet metal. However, there's a growing upper class in the Marshall Islands who are building homes in all styles as they include every detail and spare no expense.