So let's get down to business and talk paint. Yes, paint, that visible element that affects the outward appearance of any structure here in the USVI. It's one of the most dominant features a building can have and has great implications when we are referring to structures in our historic districts or antiquities monuments that dot our landscapes. I'll begin with what was here historically and then show the evolution of paint color practices used and those that should be used today. The predominant color in our historic towns and monuments was white - white wash paint, lime based in composition and infused with white pigment. The second predominant pigment color used was ochre and hues of yellow. The third predominant pigment color used was a rose pigment. The cedar shingles found on many buildings, even today, were left natural which then turned from yellow/brown to silver grey color over time. In St. Thomas, the red colored metal roof was dominant while on St. Croix, the silver galvanized roof was most common replacing the earlier cedar shingled roof. Therefore, the original paint scheme that existed here had an emphasis on light colors which were almost homogeneous (uniform:same) in character. The streetscape as a whole was the design intent, not the individual buildings, and the composition of varying building types were used to create a dynamic and beautifully framed street lined with gutters, low walls and wells. Not only is there historical documentation through paint analysis of these structures, but there are historic color photographs that show this paint scheme. Let's take Prince Street in Christiansted as an example.
Prince Street Christiansted, 1910 Axel Oversen
Prince Street Christiansted, 1941 Jack Delano
Prince Street Christiansted, 2005
I believe even the 1910 black and white photograph depicts a more inviting and engaging street compared to the look of this street today. Jack Delano's 1941 color photograph is proof of the homogeneous yellow color paint scheme that dominated the streetscape with its silver and red roofs that drew you into the space and made you want to walk through and experience it. After Cuba closes in the 1950's and the USVI begins to develop itself as a tourist destination, the use of pastel colors become the norm for the streetscape that is required today. This multiple pastel color scheme, at times, makes the street look a bit more disparate and disjointed: a bit less inviting in my view. This is why having the expertise of our V.I. Historic Preservation Commission weigh in on a building's color selection if paramount and is the law of the land. When I hear people say "What our historic towns' need are brighter and louder colors", I have to say, these individuals don't know the history of this place and don't realize how sophisticated and well designed these towns are ... because they don't need bright and loud colors to define them. Their fine detailing and superb proportions speak loudly enough and with a muted soft palette against a blazing Caribbean sun, these towns already have a distinct calling card for anyone living here or visiting our shores.
Why do all white walls with blue colored roofs scream Aegean architecture like on the island of Mykonos in Greece? Why have bright and jarring colors become associated with Caribbean architecture? It is my position that without fine detailing and superb proportioning in the architecture of a place, you need to use bright jarring colors to give a structure character. Since that is not the case here, let's keep our own well defined signature color scheme on our sophisticated and unique architecture and brand this look: selling it to all who live here and visit our shores.
Cruz Bay, St. John
"A garish color scheme in my view"
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