Dream House | Wild loft sits on the banks of the Black River

People’s habitats around the globe are sometimes in the most uncustomary of climes and locations, adapting to their respective environments.

Take this peculiar home away from home, which finds itself also in one of these phenomenal areas of the natural world, where the spirit of adventure impatiently awaits!

The three-quarters-of-an-acre piece of real estate is on the banks of the Black River, on the south coast in St Elizabeth. It is sited right on the periphery of the lower morass, the most substantial fresh water wetland ecosystem in the English-speaking Caribbean.

A composite of small keys, swamps, marshes, lagoons and mangroves, the diversity of this ecosphere habitat is evident, with the pervasiveness of approximately 300 crocodiles always in sight; some 100 documented species of birds, including flamingoes; along with crabs, fish, shrimp, lobster, and a rich collection of animals and 113 species of plants – in a tropical jungle of varied palm trees.

History informs us that before its demise, this actual locality was called the Black River Marina, which held annual regattas with exciting boat races in the late 1960s.

It was acquired in 1993 by its present owner, whose roots are from Black River. He attended Munro College, The University of West Indies, and the University of Rhode Island, in United States. A racing car enthusiast, he is both known as an aquatic ecologist and a wetland biologist. For 10 years, he was in charge of managing and protecting the country’s wetlands.

The genesis of this eyebrow-raising architectural design is his. Immersed in a safari setting, allowing one to coexist harmoniously with the aquatic wildlife landscape, creating sustainability and general well-being in the natural environment. It took nine months to erect.

The eco-friendly, 30 feet by 14 feet pinewood loft structure is completely elevated 14 feet off the waterlogged ground, on eight pillars. It was conceptualised to park and shelter beneath the building fully amphibious all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) used to navigate both on land and water the untamed terrain. The design also has a cooling effect on the interiors, with airflow underneath, the avoidance of flooding and the uninvited presence of crawling insects.

Created within the roof space (like an attic) are two bedrooms with two bathrooms, with dormer windows receiving natural light and affording increased space.

Embarking upon a trip to one of the limestone islands, we observe the owner has constructed an enormous 50-foot tall wooden tower, for the sole appreciation of the most inexpressible scenery.

What an architectural find!

Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barry-rattray@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com.