Preserving Architectural Treasures of Bonaire by margyene booi

BONAIRE Preserving architectural treasures By: Margyene Booi

What are the possibilities for restoration and/or renovation of the historical homes on Bonaire, with preservation of the local identity?

The Yato Baco plantation house Photo: Margyene Booi

Preface Living as a student in a country where I was not born and raised has made me feel separated from my own culture. I have always been interested in doing research about my own culture within the field of Interior Architecture. This, combined with my fascination for historical buildings, is the foundation for this research. Being back on Bonaire, and being among the people, made me realize even more why I love this island so much. This thesis is my starting point to knowing more about Bonaireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s architecture and the ways to preserve it. I want to thank everybody that has helped me to complete this thesis. Special thanks go to my friends and family for their help and their childhood stories. Izain Mercera, thank you a lot for the information and the lovely tour at Mangazina di Rei. Gino Obersi and Alca Sint Jago, thanks for all the information that I needed and the tours through some interesting buildings. The research for this thesis took me to places I have never seen before. I not only learned a lot about the history and architecture about Bonaire, but also about my familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history. I now know where a great part of my big family comes from and how they lived their lives. Margyene Booi

Remaining foundation of the wooden home where my mother grew up Photo: Margyene Booi

CONTENTS

Preface Introduction 9

Island of Bonaire

1.1 The background 12 1.2 The locals 14 1.3 Discovered by Europe 16 1.4 The culture 18

2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4

Architecture on Bonaire

Building aspects 22 Evolution 24 Architecture 35 Interiors 37

3 3.1 3.2 3.3

Restoration and renovation Monuments Potential monuments Restoration & Renovation

40 41 43

Future-proof

4.1 Use of homes then 4.2 Use of homes now 4.3 The future proof house

50 51 54

Conclusions

A. Bibliography

Additions a. Interior collection 64 b. Homes worth preserving 66 c. A view of Bonaire 70

Introduction BONAIRE, the B of the ABC islands, is a small island in the Caribbean. This island has a rich history, culture and architecture. Throughout the years, mainly during and after the time of slavery, there were many historical buildings built. The oldest building on the island today is from 1639. These buildings were being built well into the 1970’s. The main problem with these buildings is the state they are in at this moment. They range from small homes up to big government buildings. Some have been abandoned and nature has taken its natural course. Others are not maintained by the owners due to financial and personal problems. On Bonaire alone, there are over 600 authentic buildings on a list awaiting approval to become a monument. There are many possibilities with these buildings. They represent a big part of Bonaire’s history and are a part of Bonaire’s heritage. What makes them unique are not only the shape, color and material, but also how they function. This research is about looking for new ways to restore and/or renovate these authentic buildings and make them future-proof. This way these buildings can be admired for years to come and Bonaire’s heritage will not be torn down and forgotten.

How can these homes still survive in the future? What are the unique elements that these buildings have? What was their function in the past? What is their current function? What are the current living standards? What can these historical homes teach us?

Chapter 2 describes the architecture of the island. The evolution of architecture described since the first structures on the island up until now. What materials are used? Was there an idea behind the way of building on Bonaire? Were their influences from other cultures?

What are the possibilities for restoration and/or renovation of the historical homes on Bonaire, with preservation of the local identity? These answers can create the foundation for the preservation of these authentic homes. In order to get this information there has to be research done in the history of Bonaireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture and the history of architecture on this island. Chapter 1 goes back in time up until when Bonaire rose from the sea to the time before and after slavery. This chapter also describes the culture of Bonaire. Who lived on the island and what was their way of life? What was the impact of slavery on the population of Bonaire? How is the current population of Bonaire?

Chapter 3 is more about the restoration and/or renovation of some of these historical buildings and their function now. What lessons can we learn from the way that these buildings used now? This is where specific things are explained that have to do with finances and possibilities of restoring these buildings. What are the things that an architect has to pay attention to when restoring and/or renovating such a building? Chapter 4 - recommendations, also the last chapter, is a research on how these historical buildings can be restored in such a way that they are future-proof. With the digital age, homes are being used differently than before. Can these buildings still be used as their original function? â&#x20AC;&#x192;

Island of Bonaire

In order to know how these buildings can be future proofed, first there must be an understanding of how they came to be. This chapter travels back in time to when Bonaire was founded, how flora and fauna, culture, traditions and the people that have lived there developed up to now.

Slavehuts:‘Through the eyes of a laborer’ Photo: Margyene Booi

The background Bonaire formed about 100 million years ago. 60 million years ago, it rose out of the ocean. Back then, the island did not have the flat surface it has now. Throughout the years, it became flatter because of the weather and nature conditions. Most of the island consists of limestone, and a third consists of volcanic rock. The limestone comes from lime produced by corals when the island was still beneath the ocean surface. The tropical climate of Bonaire makes it home to a variety of exotic native plants and animals. Some plants that grow on the island are the cactus, Aloe Vera, Kalbastree1 and the Dividivitree2. These plants played a big role in the construction of many of the older buildings on the island. Some animals that are originally from the island are the green iguana and different types of small lizards and gecko’s. Other animals on the island today, such as donkeys and goats, came to the island via import from various other countries.

There is some question to where the islands name comes from. Most likely it came from the first settlers on the island, which are the Qaquetio Indians. They are known to have called the island Bonay. Later this name was changed by the Spanisch and Dutch into Bojnaj and finally to Bonaire. This means ‘good air’. On the 11th of December 1981 Bonaire got it’s official flag. The flag consists of different colors and symbols. Yellow represents the vibrant color of flowers and the sun. Blue represents the ocean. White stands for peace. The black symbol represents equality for people from all over the world. The red stands for blood and the survival power of the Bonairians. The star itself symbolizes the six original villages of Bonaire also seen on the map. Today Bonaire is still a part of the Netherlands. It has a very mixed population with about 18.000 inhabitants.

1. ‘It is a small evergreen tropical tree with simple leaves and a rough bark. Its fruits are light green, with white flesh and smooth skin.’ Amelie,N,. 2012. ‘A Haitian Treasure: Kalbas’ http://naikainbalance.blogspot.nl/2012/05/haitian-treasure-kalbas-calabash.html [Accesed 21st of December 2014] 2. ‘A small tropical American tree (Caesalpinia coriaria) of the legume family with twisted astringent pods. This tree grows in the direction of the wind.’ Available at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divi-divi 12

Flag and map of Bonaire Map: Bonaire Affair

The locals It is remarkable to know that Indians have inhabited Bonaire for more than 3000 years. The first people that settled on the island were the Caquetio Indians. They originally came from Venezuela. Venezuela is a country in SouthAmerica thats very close to the ABC islands. Theese Indians crossed the open sea on self-made canoes and settled on the ABC islands. Nowadays there are still streets named after these Indians. In some caves on the island, there are still remnants of old inscriptions that these Indians left behind. Up until the Western discovery of Bonaire, these Indians were still living the way one would live in the Neolithic Stone Age1. They used local plants and fishing to provide food for themselves and their family. There was not much agriculture at the time. This only came after the Spaniards discovered the island of Bonaire. They collected water from the morning and evening dew left on leaves of different plants. They did not have houses the way that we know them nowadays. They lived in structures made of wood covered with plants. However, this way of building had a big influence on the design and construction of buildings in the future.

1. ‘Neolithic Period, also called New Stone Age, final stage of cultural evolution or technological development among prehistoric humans...’ By the editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, ‘Neolithic Period’ ; Available at: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/408894/Neolithic-Period Accesed on the 10th of January 2015

Replicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of Indian inscriptions Symbols: Washington Slagbaai

Sketch of Indian village Drawing by: Alvarado

Discovery In the year 1499, probably in the month of September, Bonaire was discovered by Alonso de Ojeda and Amerigo Vespucci. Amerigo Vespucci was the first to write about the island. In a letter, he described the locals as acting like wild animals with leaves in their mouths. ‘They carried two Kalbas fruit, one filled with a white powder and one filled with leaves.‘ At the time of discovery, it’s believed that there were about 600 Indians living on Bonaire in about 12 different populations. Even though the Spaniards owned Bonaire, they didnt make settlements until years later. They did continue on to discover other islands. Precious minerals were not found on the island, so they declared the island as being useless, naming the island ‘Isla inutil’. In the year 1511, Alonso de Ojeda got the task of colonizing the area around the Lake of Maracaibo. This is one of the largest lakes in Venezuela in close proximity of the ABC islands. Around this time, the lake was home to different tribes. The ABC islands had been excluded from the colonization. This opened the way to capture the Indians on the islands to work as slaves on other islands. In 1513, Diego Salazar got the task of capturing all the Indians and sending them off the island

and succeeded in capturing most of them. The ones that remained on the island were hiding or escaped back to Venezuela. After some time Juan de Ampues was given the task of repopulating the ABC islands. He sent back the Indians that were captured to the islands. Thats why in 1527 they made the first settlement on Bonaire in the oldest village of Rincon. This was a strategic location. Passing pirateships would not be able to spot the village and the locals could monitor the ocean from the hills. In 1636, the Netherlands occupied Bonaire and made various plantations on the island. This company was named the West Indische Compagnie also known as the WIC. Around 1800 Bonaire became an official part of the Netherlands. In the period of the WIC until the abolition of slavery there were slaves living on Bonaire. It is important to know that individuals on Bonaire were not allowed to set up and run plantations. However, some exceptions were made. This is why Bonaire used to have some ‘Shon’. A Shon is a person that owned a piece

of land and also owned slaves to work for them. A shon also had a large house to live in that was on site of the plantation. Most of these plantation homes remain. Some in better condition than others. All of them are in areas away from the main city. On two separate occasions, the British took the ABC islands from the Dutch. Once from 1800-1803 and second from 1807-1816. During these periods, the British settled on Bonaire. In 1810, they created the main city known as, Kralendijk also known as ‘Playa’. When the Dutch took over Bonaire from the British, they named the city 'Koralendijk' which means 'coral dike'. Through time this name has been degenerated to Kralendijk. Just after the Dutch occupied Bonaire, they imported Africans from Africa to work as slaves in the saltpans. This came to be after Europe decided that Indians were not fit to be slaves. This was mainly because they couldn’t deal with the effects of forced labor and that they were on the brink of extinction. After some time, the Indians were recognized as regular people. The African slaves worked mostly on plantations and for the exploitation of salt. Around the year 1697 Bonaire had 97 slaves, in 1699 137 slaves and in 1721 the island had

Route of Vespucci in 1499 Map: English Online

An old wheelbarrow with salt samples Photo: Margyene Booi

Culture Bonaire’s culture is mostly a mixture of the Indian and African culture. During slavery, the slaves used to make music and dance as distraction from everyday life. They used different natural things to make music such as Conch shells. Currently only a small portion of the population on Bonaire have their roots there. Many have left the island. However, the population is still growing and has many more nationalities living here. It is truly a multicultural community. Plants such as the Aloe Vera are often used for medicinal purposes. Nowadays this plant is used worldwide in different products, such as drinks, medicine and beauty products. However, on Bonaire, these plants have always been used as medicine for burns, cuts and infections. The other purpose of aloe was as a building material. Corn is a plant that has been on the island since the Indians came there. This type of corn is not the type we know now. During the slavery, slaves were given corn as a provision every Saturday. There was a specific building called Mangazina di Rei where all slaves from Rincon would gather to get their provisions for the week. Men got more corn than women did. Locals in their kunukus are still cultivating corn nowadays. A kunuku is similar to a farm.

Nowadays most people dont live on the farm anymore but do spend weekends there. After harvest the corn is mostly used to make corn pancakes ‘ repa di maishi chiki’ and corn porridge ‘papa di maishi chiki’. Cornstalks also qualified as a building material. These were laid out on roofs as roof covering. The cactus is used as soup. This cactus is a different type of cactus than the ones with spiked thorns. The pulp of the cactus is used in soups. There is also the possibility to dry it and save the powder for years. Other than those foods, the locals love to eat soups and stew of goat meat and cow meat. Fresh fish is also a lot on the local menu. There are some delicacies such as meals with iguana meat and shell animals such as conch meat. However due to the danger of extinction, these species are now protected. Much like any other culture, Bonaire’s culture also has its own celebrations. Food is a very important element in this culture. With every festivity and celebration there are specific local recipes prepared. This is also why Bonairians love to have a big kitchen in order to have the space needed to prepare all the food.

The main language on Bonaire is Papiamentu. This language is a mixture of different cultures. Spanish, Dutch and English are just some of the languages that Papiamentu originated from.

Cup for measuring provisions Photo: Margyene Booi

Locals wearing traditional clothing Photo: Heleen Quartel

Corn from Bonairian farms Photo: Margyene Booi

Architecture

Bonaire had five main cultures that had a big influence on its architecture. These were the Indians, the Africans, the Spaniards, the Dutch and the British. From each culture there are details that are embedded in the architecture of the buildings, some greater than the other.

‘Mangazina di Chimi’ Construction and finished wall of a wooden stick house Photo: Margyene Booi 21

Early on, some building criteria would have been carefully thought out. Close attention was paid to the natural elements such as sun and wind. These natural elements had an influence on the layout of a building. The wind almost always comes from the east. This leads to positioning kitchens on the west side of a house. This is done so that no kitchen air is blown into the rest of the house. Bedrooms are placed on the east side of a house. This was done for the natural cooling of the bedrooms at night. Not only were these building aspects of great importance, but the influence of other cultures also greatly influenced the architecture on the island.

Indian Influence The Caquetio Indians introduced building structures on Bonaire. They are known to have lived in different types of structures such as the Amerindian Hut and the Indian Ramada. This type will be explained further in the next chapter.

African Influence The African slaves brought along their own type of construction for homes with them. They built homes with wooden sticks intertwined with one another. This house was very minimalistic but yet of great importance to the future of architecture.

Spanish Influence The people that had the least influence on the architecture were the Spaniards. Even though they once owned the island and made the first settlemen, no buildings of that period have been preserved. The oldest standing structure on Bonaire dates from 1639. This is why there are little to no buildings with Spanish characteristics. These influences are however visible on other islands where they did settle, such as wrought iron balconies, tiled floors and plastered walls. There is a high amount of ornamentation in these buildings.

Dutch Influence The mark that the Dutch left on architecture is very much visible not only in decorations but also in the shapes of the buildings. Hipped roofs are common in Dutch architecture as well as facades where the roof is not visible. These homes often had an attic because of this.

British Influence The influence of British architecture is mostly seen in the way rooms are connected to one another. In most homes, large decorated archways connect adjacent rooms. Views are created from one room to the next. The commercial buildings in the city center also have a British touch to them.

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With the discovery of Bonaire, the buildings became more modern for that time. Other natural resources started being used as building material. Such as limestone, the cactus and the Aloe Vera plant. The trunk of cacti plants were dried out and used for construction and window- frames. Aloe Vera was not only known as a good remedy but also used in construction. The juice of this plant was used to make plaster for walls. This plaster was used in both private and public buildings. This plaster often consisted of sand, limestone and Aloe Vera juice.

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Most common building types on Bonaire Drawings: Margyene Booi

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The Indians that first inhabited Bonaire used thePRODUCED island's own BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT natural resources to create structures. These structures later evolved into the buildings that are still on Bonaire. The first materials used were small trees. The trunk and the branches are cut off. What's left is put next to each other and bound together to form a wall. Back in those days rope was not available on the island. The Indians used fibers from the agave plant. These plants have very long and strong fibers that were ideal PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT for tying objects together.

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Building aspects

Evolution Amerindian Hut

Indian Ramada

Not too long ago, the remains of a structure was discovered on Bonaire. It is a circular structure with two center poles. This is very similar to the Indian huts found on other islands in the caribbean. These huts were known to have little pieces of furniture in them. The inhabitants slept in hammocks and there were few benches in the living space. The structures were very sturdy and could withstand very bad weather.

Another structure on the island was the Indian Ramada’s. These rectangle shaped structures consisted of dried wood of a specific cactus. These pieces of dried wood were tied together by fibers from the agave plant. The roof was covered with plants, often cornstems. Most of them did not have floors.

Kas di Bara The inhabitants that had a kunuku lived in houses made of wood also known as ‘Kas di Bara’. The wood structure was a weave of wood sticks, plastered with a mixture of limestone powder, grass and water. Sometimes animal feces would serve as plaster for walls. Window and doorframes came from dried cactus wood. Later these wood structures were replaced by big stones and then plastered. The stone wall would be thicker at the bottom and thinner at the top. These thick walls also created a very cool environment inside the house. Homes made of stone did not exist much at the beginning of the Dutch occupation due to the fact that stones were heavy to transport. The only ones that could afford this were people with a higher income.

Reconstruction of an Indian Ramada Photo: Margyene Booi

Reconstruction of a ‘Kas di bara’ Photo: Margyene Booi

‘House of Ma Jan Jana’ Reconstruction of an early stone house Photo: Margyene Booi 27

Cas di kabes Cas di kabes, head house, is a house where the roof was not visible from the facade of the house. These houses come in different shapes and sizes. From the little slave huts along the coast to the bigger commercial buildings in the city center. This type of construction is mostly seen in commercial buildings instead of residential homes. The slavehuts are situated on the south cost of Bonaire and were built around 1850.

White slavehuts:the smallest head house Photo: Margyene Booi

Red slavehuts:the smallest head house Photo: Margyene Booi

Cas di Hala

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Typical contour of a wing house Photo: Margyene Booi

Cas di hala, wing house, is a house that consists of two or more parts. One part of the house is always higher than the others are. The roof design is a combination of a gable roof and a shed roof. The gable roof always stuck out higher than the shed roof. Some examples of this type still exist on Bonaire. However, not many in quantities, the ones that remain are very interesting structures.

Governors building of Bonaire from 1837 Photo: Margyene Booi

Cas di Hadrey Cas di Hadrey, living room house, is a combination of the Indian Ramada with the Kas di Bara. This type of house slowly transformed from the wood version to houses made of stone. The floor plan of this house always has a living room in the front of the house. This mainly functioned as an area where guests sat when visiting the owners of the house. The living room for the inhabitants is in the center of the house. This means that a distinction was made in rooms for the inhabitants and a room for visitors. This house also has a dining room, kitchen and 3 or more smaller bedrooms. There were no bathrooms inside the house. In the yard, a separate structure functioned as the bathroom.

Examples of the Livingroom homes Photos: Margyene Booi

Cas di porchi Cas di porchi, porch house, is a house with one or more porches. These porches were completely embedded in the contours of the house or sticking out halfway. The floor plan is in most cases symmetrical. The living room is always at the center of the house with bedrooms, kitchen and dining room around it. The remarkable thing about this house is that all rooms had a connection to the adjacent room. This means that a person could walk circles around this house. Same as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cas di Hadreyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; these houses had their bathroom outside of the house. Examples of Porch homes Photos: Margyene Booi

Kas di Kaha Kas di kaha, box house, is a structure in the shape of a square or rectangle. This type also comes in different sizes. It is very common to find an ensemble with multiple of these houses next to each other to create one building. These structures have hipped roofs with dark orange roof tiles. Most box homes have small figures on top of the roof. These refer to the builder or the architect of the building. In the citycenter of Bonaire, there are some examples of this architectural type. One is the Pasangrahan from the 1890â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. This was at first a private residence, then it became a guesthouse for people with a high status. Today it is where the political parties are housed. Kas di Hanchi Kas di hanchi, corridor house, is a more modern house based on a lot of houses that exist today in the Netherlands. This house usually consists of two halves. In one-half thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the living room, dining room, kitchen and a porch. The other half has a long corridor that gives access to the bedrooms and bathrooms. This type of house is also known in the Netherlands as the typical townhouse/row house. Only in these houses, the two halves are stacked instead of next to each other. Reconstruction of an outdoor toilet Photo: Margyene Booi

Box homes linked together Photo: Margyene Booi

Recently renovated Pasangrahan from 1890 Photo: Margyene Booi

Architectural details There is a clear line between the buildings built by people with a bigger and the ones with lower incomes. Houses built by wealthier residents are beautifully decorated with all kinds of details. These details often refer to the builder and/or architect. Every builder and/or architect put his signature on a building. This is visible in the designs around the house where the roof meets the exterior wall. On buildings with hipped or gable roofs often a small object can be seen. This is also a signature by the builder or architect. Houses of people with lower incomes did not have so much decoration. These houses often did have one of the most common shapes, but without the decoration. Roofs often consisted of zinc roof elements positioned directly on top of the load bearing walls.

In the past, buildings used to be painted white. However, this was forbidden because the combination of white paint and sunlight would have a damaging effect on the eyes . Through the years most of the buildings have changed colors numerous times. At this point many buildings in the city center have an ochre-yellow color. It is important to know that this color was later assigned to these buildings because of numerous factors. One of these factors being the politics. Buildings could not be painted green or red because of the relation of the color to a certain political group. In the end of the 20th century up until today these buildings are changing color frequently due to different trends and personal taste.

Back then, all buildings had wooden door- and window frames. The doors and windows themselves consisted of wood shutters. These shutters were a way of getting air circulation indoors without having to compromise privacy too much.

Interior elements close to 100 years old Photo: Margyene Booi

Just like the exterior of the house, the interiors also had a great difference when it came to rich or poor. Before the discovery of Bonaire, the furniture pieces used in homes were very primitive. There would have been a lot of handmade furniture and artifacts. With the discovery of Bonaire, the island began to evolve. Shops were made that sold items from abroad. New techniques for the production of product were introduced. Furniture from wealthier families were shipped in from the Netherlands or South-America. Families with a lower income had simple furniture with not too much decoration. The first interiors were those of the Amerindians. These interiors usually had few benches for seating and hammocks for sleeping. The interior consisted of one room. This was the indoor living space. The Indian Ramada’s interior can be compared to the Amerindian Hut. In smaller homes, there were mostly dark stained wood furniture. Wood was a very wanted and used material. In homes of families with lesser income, there would have been simple furniture with not too much ornamentation on it. In most cases, the owners made their own furniture mostly from wood. Handmade long wooden benches were often used to accommodate visitors. These can still be seen in certain homes. Kitchens used to be outside of the house. With the evolution of the homes, the kitchen became part of the house.

Interiors

very popular. These homes are also known to have more modern things such as radio’s, phonographs and record players. Lace pieces were also popular. Tables were decorated with white lace pieces. The material used for interior doors was wood. These doors were often double doors. The interesting thing about these are that the design was partitioned into three pieces. The door handles were attached lower than what we are used to today. The inside wall would be plastered in most cases but not always. Houses of people with a lower income sometimes did not have floors. The floor was dirt. In some cases the interior wall structure was still visible. This is mostly so at the ‘Kas di Bara’. The homes of wealthier owners had floors made of plaster and cement. These were made to look like tiles. This was made by taking strings over the lenght and width of the floor. The rope was gently pressed into the wet mixture and this created a tiled look. As a finishing touch the floors were stroked with a color of paint as seen on the picture below. Interior walls would be very thick. Because of this, built-in cabinets were made into the wall. This was a great way of storing and displaying items.

Families with a bigger income had furniture with a lot of detail. Living room sets of dark stained wood covered in plant and flower motifs carved into the wood were 37

Restoration & Renovation

Bonaire is known for its typical Bonairian architecture, a mix of different cultures. The architecture is something very interesting for tourists. However, many of these typical buildings, mostly homes, are at risk of being torn down. The reason for this is that it might be easier technically and financially to tear it down and build something modern instead of restoring and/or renovating it. This is already happening as we speak. Since 2009, there is a plan made for conservation of monuments on the island. This includes the policy to restore and/or renovate these authentic buildings.

Workers building at a plantation Photo: Margyene Booi

Monumental worth Currently fewer than 20 buildings officially have the status of being a monument. On the island, there are over 600 buildings, residential and public, that are on the nomination list. The buildings on this list are awaiting evaluation to determine whether they can officially go on the monument list of Bonaire. The monument conservation division on Bonaire has different criteria when it comes to analyzing these buildings. A building primarily has to be 50 years or older at the time of evaluation. Other than this there are other criteria used to evaluate a building. Aspects such as the cultural historical value, scientific value , value in an ensemble of buildings and the beauty are things that are evaluated. The cultural historical worth of a building can be numerous aspects. It could be that someone important lived in a certain building, but also that an important event took place there. A building designed by a famous architect or inhabited by a famous artist is also an aspect for evaluation. Bonaire has had an interesting evolution in building typology. With the mix of different cultures, a range of typical Bonairian buildings came to be. That is why the architectural worth is of great importance. Some house types only remain in very small quantities on the island. This is even more

reason to preserve them. Not only is the building as a whole, but also details taken into consideration. Things like specific ornaments are an example of this. Older neighborhoods with their smaller homes are also worth preserving. These homes together create the character of that neighborhood. If one were to be removed, the character of the neighborhood would change. Most buildings stand on their own. However in the city center there are ensembles of different buildings adjacent to each other. If one of those buildings would be torn down, the whole ensemble of buildings would be worth less. Things like rarity of construction and functionality of a building are also important. Was the building a prototype for what would come next? Did it have certain features that were not standard for that time? Other things like the adjustments the building has had throughout its existence also play a part. The current condition of a building is also of great importance. On the island there are some houses that used to be inhabited long ago. For many years these have stood there without being renovated. So much so that they have turned into ruins, that are actually part of the landscape. They are therefore not renovated but are maintained so that they stay in the state they are in now.

Potential monuments According to the list of potential monuments, about 600 buildings fall in the category of becoming an official monument. Here is a snapshot from the list. These homes are categorised by village, typology, current state, age, owner, function and extras. At the moment these buildings are being researched to see which of them can get the official status of being a monument.

Snapshot of conceptlist of potential monuments Photo: Margyene Booi

Pasangrahan many years ago Photo: Archive Bonaire

Recently renovated Pasangrahan from 1890 Photo: Margyene Booi

Restoration and renovation Some of the historical buildings have recently been restored and renovated. One important building is the Pasangrahan. This building, built in 1890, used to be the residence of a wealthy family on Bonaire. In 1921, it became a guesthouse for political members. After this it became the town hall. With the renovation and restoration of this building, numerous problems arose. There were problems with salt in the walls, therefore the paint kept coming off the wall within weeks of painting it. Most of the buildings awaiting approval to become a monument are out of date. Most require some work in order to bring them back to a state in which the identity of the building is still visible combined with the living demands of the modern human being. In the additions on page 66 there is a collection of some houses that are worth being preserved. When we talk about restoring a building it means that work is done on the building to make it look like how it was in the past without any modern additions. This is mostly the case when a building is not functioning as a place to live or stay, but rather as a museum object. When it comes to buildings its most be a combination and renovation.

updating these likely going to of restoration Restoring and

renovating these places are not as easy as it may seem. There are some main problems that usually come hand in hand with these older buildings. Salt is a main issue when it comes to buildings made of coral stones. These stones have been soaked in salt water. This salt still remains in the stones. This effects the transport of moisture in walls and therefore causes paint to detach from walls very quickly. Rooms with air conditioning also need to be aired out frequently as a precaution for damage by moisture. With any older building, the chance of having leaking roofs is inevitable. This all needs to be fixed to prevent leaking and to prevent the walls soaking up all that moisture. Another important aspect when renovation a building are the bearing walls. These consist of stones in all sizes and shapes. Careful attention needs to be paid when drilling in the wall. One wrong movement can create cracks in the walls due to the shifting of stones. Making large cutouts in walls is close to impossible. When a building gets the status of being a monument, the owner can get financial aid from the government and the National Restorationfund. This includes aid for restoration. renovation and maintenance.

Future-proof

In the past, most homes were built to meet the living demands of then. Ofcourse at this moment, the living demands have changed. Homes are not used the same way anymore. The introduction of the digital age is something that is not yet fully incorporated in the older homes. How can these homes keep their charm and yet still meet the modern living demands? Are there other functions possible for these homes?

Abandoned plantation house Photo: Margyene Booi

Use of homes: Then In the past, homes were used differently than now. The bedroom in larger homes were strictly for sleeping. There was a lot of room for being together with the family. Larger homes had separate living rooms for the family and guests. In smaller homes, spaces outside in the garden functioned as a place to receive guests.

The story of Martijn family The Martijn family was a family of eight. Two parents, three boys and three girls. The firstborn was born around 1900. They lived in a ‘Kas di Hadrey’ in the village Nikiboko. Mother was a housewife and father worked at Slagbaai1.

The entrance of the house, also the informal living room, was where they spent most of their time. Because of the thickness of the stonewalls, it was possible to create built in cabinets in all bedrooms. These functioned as closets. This house is over 100 years old. Renovation is still being done to this house. What used to be a bedroom has been turned into an indoor bathroom, because the original bathroom was outside the house. Over 20 years ago an extra livingroom and bedroom were added to the back of the house to create more livingspace.

This house originally had three bedrooms, one formal living room, one informal living room, a diningroom and a kitchen. The toilet was out in the backyard. This was a wood structure. The bathroom was also outside. The woman of the house even had her own flat away from the house. This was her space where she could relax by herself. Not even her husband was allowed here. Views through the house were created by openings in the walls. These were decorated with handmade wood frames.

1. ‘The Slagbaai plantation supplied salt, charcoal, aloe extract, divi-divi pods, and goats for export to Curaçao and Europe....’ Source: http://www.washingtonparkbonaire.org/history.html

Martijn family home with interior details Photo: Margyene Booi

The story of Booi family The Booi-family had their firstborn child around the 1940’s. This is a family of six with two girls and two boys. They lived in a house in the neighborhood of Nikiboko in a house also known as the ‘Kas di Porchi”. When this house was built, it had three bedrooms, one living room, one dining room, one kitchen and a bathroom. At the back of the house, they had a porch. This is where the kids played. Everyone except the older boy had his own bedroom. Mother slept in her own room with the youngest boy. The older boy slept in the living room on a foldable bed. The two girls slept in another bedroom. Father had his own bedroom too. Mother and father did not sleep in the same room. This family had some more money and was able to afford more luxury. The house had dark stained furniture. They had a phonograph and a radio. Later they also got a black and white TV.

They also had electricity and were able to afford a refrigerator that worked on kerosene. When they had visitors they would all sit in the living room. All the rooms in this house were connected to each other. One could go from bedroom to bedroom and from bedroom to living room. The windows and doors were made of wood with wooden shutters. However after renovation a few years ago, these shutters were replaced by glass windows.

Booi family home, above 1950´s, below 2014 Photo: Margyene Booi

The story of Pop family The Pop-family was a big family with over 10 kids and 2 parents. The parents began having kids around the 1940’s. They lived in a neighbourhood called Antriol on Bonaire.

This is an example of a large family living in a small home. At this moment, only the foundation remains of this house. The wood structure was not maintained and therefore got torn down.

They didnt have much, but always had each other. Carmen Pop, woman of the house, did all kinds of jobs like ironing clothes, reading and writing letters for those who couldnt, sewing and taking care of the family. Graciano Pop, man of the house, was an excellent fisherman and handyman. He brought home fish for the family on most days. They all lived in a small wooden house on a hill. This small house had two rooms. The living room was also used as a bedroom at night. The kids slept mostly on mats on the floor. The kitchen and bathroom were outside. The kitchen was situated under the veranda. This is also where the family spent most of its time. At night nobody wanted to use the bathroom in the dark, so the kids used the ‘Pietjepot’. This was how the kids called the peeing pot. The house itself had simple furniture in the livingroom with some decorative items.

Pop family home, the remaining foundation Photo: Margyene Booi

One of the few intact wooden homes Photo: Margyene Booi

Use of homes: Now A portion of the authentic homes are uninhabited and are left for nature to move in. They need to be preserved in some way. By gaining the title of a monument it becomes easier to preserve these homes mostly because of the financial benefits. On the other hand, the homes that are in use, often donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get used to their full potential. What happens in these homes is that rooms get disregarded and not used, because people often donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what to do with them. While it was a custom to have multiple living areas back then, it has changed with the demand of nowadays. Modern homes often have just one big living area. This includes the kitchen, dining room and living room. In older homes, these are separated. The homes that are still in use, need to be updated. Most have some modern features. It is however the way these features are incorporated into the home that might devalue the experience of it. Wires and cables take the focus from a space. Windows that are covered up and not used can influence the airflow in a house. This has a negative effect on the indoor climate. Cracks in walls that are not taken care of can make a room seem old and weary. Leaking roofs cause even more damage to the construction and the living space. Details on

the home that are neglected and not maintained can make homes seem older and unattractive. With the loss of the beauty of these homes, the authenticity disappears. What might also be considered as a problem are the small bedrooms. In modern housing, the bedrooms have become substantially larger than what they were 100 years ago. There needs to come a way to use these small spaces more efficiently. The digital age is already here and is being incorporated into most households every day. How can this be done for these authentic homes? Little details could be added in order to accommodate modern technology. Things like cables and wires could be hidden in a nice and subtle way. This cannot be done inside walls because of its structure and danger of creating cracks in the wall. The use of modern lighting techniques can play a big role in the experience of a home. Light can accentuate the unique details inside and outside.

Current home of the Frans family in the village of Rincon Photo: Margyene Booi

The future-proof house The future-proof home is a home that is a combination of the modern society mixed with the way of living of the past. Modern technology can be incorporated in such a way that these homes do not lose their character and identity. On the contrary, with a little help of modern technology the true beauty of these homes can become more visible. Homes As mentioned before, the use and size of rooms in older homes have significantly changed throughout the years. Bedrooms have become bigger and are used differently. Because of structural limitations, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not possible to make these rooms bigger. A solution could be to think about how to use small spaces more efficiently.

Adding furniture elements that are multifunctional can easily increase the space usage. This can be a possibility in the smaller older homes. By integrating lighting and electrical elements to this type of furniture, there is minimal to no damage to the structure of the house. In homes with two living rooms, it might be a possibility to give these rooms another purpose. This can be anything from an office to a playroom for kids. Tourism Bonaire attracts a large amount of tourists every year. Since there are many of these homes not being used, it might be a possibility to offer them as vacation rentals for tourists. This way the tourist can experience the authentic Bonairian home with the luxuries of now.

Bedroom in a box Design: Rolands Landsberg, Boxetti Use of built in spaces in small rooms Sketch: Margyene Booi

The chance that they will be maintained is higher in this case. The possibility of connecting these homes to local hotels might also be an option for the future. By doing this the hotel can offer a tourist an even more interesting experience for their stay on Bonaire.

Finishing touches such as the use of double doors with low handles also brings back the charm of these places.

When turning this home into a vacation rental, local artifacts such as paintings and objects should be put on display. Handmade objects such as rough stone benches. Lighting fixtures added to walls instead of ceilings that resemble old kerosine lamps.

Other functions are also possible such as dining establishments. One of the most important things in this culture is the food. There is always enough food to feed a village. Having local cuisine in an authentic home gives the ultimate experience of Bonairian cuisine.

All of this is to be combined with some modern furniture and objects to complete the whole look.

Roofs should be insulated when possible and ceilings should be removed to expose the construction of the home. The room will look more spacious this way and it gives back the original dimensions of the space.

Reconstructed interior of a small stone house Photo: Margyene Booi

Conclusion This thesis is a research for the history and future of Bonaireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s authentic homes. These homes have been here for over 50 years and many of them are in bad shape. They are of great importance to the cultural heritage of Bonaire and deserve to be preserved. They are preserved in a way that the home does not lose its identity while gaining the elements of a modern home. Before starting with such a project, first there must be understanding of numerous things such as finances, construction and way of life on the island. When these three things are carefully understood, a start can be made for preserving these homes. At this moment, about 600 buildings are on a nomination list to become an official monument. Most of these homes are neglected because of family or financial issues. Some of them are even abandoned. When a building becomes a monument, there are easier ways of getting a loan at a very low interest rate. Costs for maintenance are also covered till a certain amount. This makes it easier for families to consider restoring and renovating these places. What is also interesting is for locals to buy these places from their owners and renovate or restore these.

There might be a market in renting out these places to tourists. Staying in these homes gives that extra Bonairian touch to a vacation. They experience more of Bonaireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heritage this way. The construction of the home is also of great importance. The technical elements of an older home are quite different from modern homes. It all depends on the material used for construction. Drilling holes and making new openings in walls can be very risky. In walls of stone, this can cause the stones to move. This creates large cracks in a wall. Other common problems are the amount of salt in the thick walls. By creating a specific mixture of plaster, the amount of damage can be decreased substantially. These homes were not made to be closed up all the time. This is why they had shutters. There was a constant airflow throughout the house. Things like air conditioning should be carefully thought out before being incorporated into these homes. Bonaireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture is of great importance. The door is always open for anybody. However, with the digital age this is changing. These authentic homes do not accommodate modern technology demands now or in the future. Many of these do have modern features incorporated in them, but the way it is done, only devalues the worth of the home.

Subtle changes like hiding cables and wires behind skirting boards can be implemented. Lighting can also play a big role in accentuating the unique details of these homes. For optimal space usgae in smaller rooms, it is a possibility to use custom made multifunctional furniture. This way technical and electrical elements can all be incorporated in the furniture element instead of directly on the house structure. Every year, more and more tourists visit the island. It might be an interesting idea to give some of these homes new functions. One of these could be to turn these homes into vacationrentals. Tourists can then stay in an authentic Bonairian home. The chance is also bigger that maintaince is kept under a close eye. Other options can also be considered, such as having a restaurant in one. Dining in an authentic Bonairian home while serving popular foods from the island itself. By having knowledge of these things, an authentic home will not only be modernized but also be preserved with great care for the elements that make such a building so unique. Only then can we say that the home meets the modern standards while respecting its original beauty. â&#x20AC;&#x192;

A 58

Bibliography

Bibliography Books, zines and magazines

Websites

HUIJGERS, D.&L.E., 1992 Landhuizen van Curacao en Bonaire Amsterdam, Amsterdam Persimmons

Antoin, B., Date unknown Archive Bonaire Available at: www.archivobonaire.com

Antoin, B., 1997 Lantamentu di katibu na Boneiru Bonaire, National printing Bonaire

Tourism Corporation Bonaire, Bonaire, Once a visitor always a friend, Available at: www.tourismbonaire.com

Antoin, B., 1998 Storianan Boneriano Bonaire, National printing Bonaire Antoin, B., 1999 Boneiru di Antano (parts 2-5) Bonaire, National printing Bonaire Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire, 2010, Ruimtelijk Ontwikkelingsplan Bonaire, http://www.bonairegov.an/sites/ default/files/uploads/Ruimtelijk_ Ontwikkelingsplan_Bonaire_ vastgesteld.pdf

Bon Bini Bonaire, 2015, Welkom op Bonaire, Available at: www.bonbinibonaire.nl Info Bonaire, 1997-2015, The Bonaire information site, Available at: www.infobonaire.com RCN, 2010-2013, Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland, Available at: www.rijksdienstcn.com

Interview and conversations

Photographs & Drawings

Mercera, I.J., 2014 Architectural homes and way of life in the past, Interviewed by Margyene Booi, Walking tour around Mangazina di Rei

Most photographs were taken by Margyene Booi in july and august of 2014 on Bonaire. Copyright ÂŠ

Obersi, G., 2014, Monumentenzorg and restoration, Interviewed by Margyene Booi, Viewings of multiple historical buildings St. Jago, A., 2014, Monumentenzorg and restoration Interviewed by Margyene Booi, Booklets and forms acquired Booi, H.S.M., 2014, Former ways of life of the Booi and Martijn family, Interviewed by Margyene Booi, Visits of multiple historical buildings and sites Popo, M.F., 2014, Former ways of life of the Pop family, Interviewed by Margyene Booi Frans, M., 2014, Former ways of life of the Frans family,Interviewed by Margyene Booi

Other photographs are mentioned in this list. PhotoÂ´s taken at: Home of John Booi Home of Miriam Frans Home of Raymond Pop Homes and buildings on Bonaire Mangazina di Rei Pasangrahan House of the Booi-family, page 48 From the picture collection of Lourdes Bernabela-Booi Aerial pictures in additions, Robert Youens with Camera Wings Historical photos in additions, Photographers unknown, Bonaire Archives by Boi Antoin www.archivobonaire.com Search term: Edifisio Sketches by Frans Booi about architecture on Bonaire

Frans, C.J.L., 2014, Architecture of historical childhood home, Interviewed by Margyene Booi, Tour of his childhood home Haviser, J., 2014, Ways of life of the Caquetio Indians 61

B 62

Additions

Collection of furniture

Pic. 01

Pic. 02

Pic. 03

Pic. 05

Pic. 04 These are some interior elements that are close to or over 100 years old. Pic. 01: Formal living room set donated by a Bonairian family to an exhibition in the old food storage facility in the village of Rincon Pic. 02: Handwashing element with fresh waterbasin, soapholder and washing bowl. This element still stands at the entrance of a house in the village of Rincon Pic. 03: A typical wooden chair that was very common in most family homes. They have a slightly curved legs, woven seat, and arched back Pic. 04: Older kitchen spicerack with special platforms for putting kerosene lamps on for lighting Pic. 05: Decorative wall element that also functioned as platform for kerosine lamps Pic. 06: Stained wood mirror with small drawer. This was also donated by a Bonairian family.

Pic. 06

Homes worth preserving

Plantation house ´Yato Baco´ Photo: Margyene Booi

Plantation house ´Karpata´ from 1870 Photo: Margyene Booi

Uninhabited ´Kas di Hadrey´ Photo: Margyene Booi

Uninhabited ´Kas di Porchi` Photo: Margyene Booi

Uninhabited Â´Kas di Hadrey` Photo: Margyene Booi

Uninhabited Â´Kas di Porchi` Photo: Margyene Booi

Inhabited one of a kind home with room for a shop Photo: Margyene Booi

Uninhabited Â´Kas di Hala` Photo: Margyene Booi

A view of Bonaire: Then and Now