The aim of the WARE Collective is to build an open-air museum featuring examples of traditional forms of Jamaican buildings. The idea is similar to that of the Weald and Downland Museum in Sussex.
The site is at Southfield, St Elizabeth, which is in easy reach of Treasure Beach and Black River.
Ann Hodges and Peter Francis, Jamaican Conservation Architects and the driving force behind WARE gave us a talk about their plans. To view the video, click here.
A Spanish Wall house is nearing completion. The construction involved apprentices being taught the basic steps in making such a house which included:
building and burning a lime kiln
framing the building using original timbers where possible
building a cut stone foundation
thatching the roof
Spanish walling i.e. laying the stone and lime/earth mortar between the frame members
plastering using lime mortar
laying a floor
In January 2024, an FGSJ team inspected the house and heard about plans for future buildings which should include a wattle and daub house, a traditional wooden house featuring fretwork, and artworks and events related to the buildings.
The FGSJ has made a grant to the Collective to help them finish the Spanish Wall house.
For more information:
