Jeferson Rivera 2016-

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French Colonial Architecture and Haitian invasion (1799-1844)

In 1795 the eastern part of the island was semi-depopulated caused by an

exodus due to the Treaty of Basel. These occupations became a part of the

architecture of the city of Santo Domingo, for the first time since it was built by

the Spanish.

The French left marked influences that were continued by the Haitians in the 22

years of occupation, and copied by the Dominicans during the 19th century,

modifying the urban landscape of the first Spanish city in the new world. The

modifications that were introduced in civil architecture at this time are called

French Colonial.

Delmonte (2006) ´´French colonial architecture is really notable for the roof and

the porch. French colonial roofs tend to be hip or pyramid shaped, with very

large overhanging eaves. These eaves covered a wide porch that often

surrounded the building, called a gallery. This was how people moved around

the house without interior hallways. You would leave your room and walk along

the gallery to the room you needed. In the warm Louisiana climate, a brief walk

through the gallery was pleasant.´´

Gutiérrez (2001) ´´In addition to the hipped roof, the dominant eaves and the

gallery, there are some other common features that we can see in French

colonial architecture. The eaves were often supported by thin wooden columns,

exterior stairs were common as many buildings were two stories, and most

rooms had French doors, or

doors with windows made of multiple small panels. Put all this together and you

have a nice piece of French colonial architecture.´´

Santana (1997) ´´Main characteristics of the French colonial style: The

modifications were made only on the exterior, without modifying the floor plan.

The French introduced the new concept of participating in outside life through

balconies running along the entire length of the façade, leaving the Spanish

monastic concept of living inwards obsolete.´´

The window levels on both the first and second levels were lowered. On the

second floor, continuous balconies supported by wooden measures and covered

with tile roofs with minimum dimensions of approximately 0.60m were placed,

making it impossible to use it with furniture.

The gaps on the same axis are cancelled, creating a rhythmic effect and timid

moldings are added, for the first time that the Renaissance order penetrates our

architecture.

Buschiazzo (1944) ´´By unifying the gaps, the portals, arches and Spanish

noble shields are lost, trying to eliminate the Hispanic roots to impose French

culture. Double wooden leaves were placed in the door openings, a solid

exterior one that served as protection and a light interior one with blinds that

allowed the breeze to pass through while being protected.´´

Fans were placed on top. It can be said that the French also began to adapt

architecture to the tropical climate.

Tellez (1995) ´´The great Haitian contribution in the modification that Governor

Borgella made in 18206, to a colonial house in front of the main square. A

gallery is attached to the old building where an arcade with lowered arches is
used that are repeated on the first and second floors, crowned by a cornice and

parapet.´´

In conclusion, French buildings were usually made of a wooden frame and

brick or bousillage, a composite made of mud, moss and animal hair. The

buildings themselves were generally rectangular and sometimes built on a

slightly raised platform.

References:

• Santo Domingo Architecture Guide, José Enrique Delmonte (2006).

• French colonial architecture in Santo Domingo, María Flores Santana

(1997).

• domestic architecture; Colonial house, Germán Tellez (1995).

• Studies in Spanish-American colonial architecture, by Mario J.

Buschiazzo (1944).

• Colonial architecture; theories and praxis, Ronaldo Gutiérrez (2001).