We discovered a plot of land on Barbados' west coast while searching Google Earth, and couldn't believe our luck - it was perfectly situated. Without even seeing it in person, we made an offer through an agent after viewing a video tour. The prime location near the sea and nice neighborhood seemed too good to be true, but our offer was accepted. It felt like serendipity.
A friend then recommended an architect familiar with the island, having lived and worked there for 30 years. After meeting him in London and sketching my ideas on a napkin, he immediately grasped my vision for something different than a typical Barbados villa. He guided us through the planning process. We exchanged contracts around November 2021 and broke ground in June/July 2022.
We thoroughly vetted three contractors through a detailed tender process, allowing each to interpret the plans and identify potential issues. This made it clear which contractor best understood our goals. Prioritizing strong communication, we selected one with an on-site manager to efficiently coordinate with us in the UK.
During construction, the following sustainable processes were considered:
Batch ordering to reduce transportation impacts
Waste management and recycling of materials like wood, cardboard, and plastics where possible
Prioritising locally sourced materials over imported ones
Using prefabricated materials when possible to prevent waste (e.g. pre-bent rebar instead of straight bars)
60% of the construction team's vehicle fleet is electric
Utilising digital information to reduce printing needs for spec sheets, drawings, etc.
the Story
Seastar House rose from a small plot of land in Gibbes Glade, St Peter into the enchanting house it is today, beautifully designed inside and out with a relaxed and inviting atmosphere by Kate Haynes. Here we share the story of the dream that became reality.
The architect technically drafted the plans and assembled the construction package, providing basic project management. However, I took the lead as designer and primary project manager, frequently joining video calls. The chosen builder, though not the cheapest, instilled confidence.
The budget increased beyond the original estimate, not due to the contractor but our additional design choices and typical escalations. Construction began in July 2022, with our first paying guests arriving in November 2023 - longer than initially projected but quicker than expected given the island's reputation.
We depleted our contingency within the first month after unexpectedly striking coral rock, requiring extensive digging and design alterations to account for the sloped terrain. Ultimately, this gave us an elevated home with glimpses of the sea from the top floor.
We choose to avoid building within a gated community which gave us free rein in creating our dream home. The neighborhood ambiance and 5-minute walking distance to our favorite beach was more than we could have ever hoped for.
The building itself includes these eco-friendly features:
Synthetic insulated roofing to reduce cooling costs
Energy efficient windows, doors, fans, and air conditioning
LED lighting fixtures and fittings throughout
Rainwater catchment system storing over 3,000 gallons for irrigation
Zero VOC eco-friendly paints from Sherwin Williams on all painted surfaces
Natural stone and wood finishes utilised where possible
Allocated roof space for investigating implementation of solar panels and battery backup
