Overshadowed stone slats make the sides of each roof look like a bright white staircase. This slows down water as it hits the roof, instead of going rushing down on a flat plain surface. Early settlers also came up with a clever way to top off these roovs, a coating of white lime. The bright finish helped keep houses cool by reflecting sunlight, while the lime helped purify incoming water.
In the final episode of our vernacular spectacular anniversary series, 99pi producers and friends of the show will be sharing more stories of regional architecture–some close to home, some on remote islands– that capture our imagination and inspire us to look deeper. Stories of Bermuda roofs, Queen Anne Cottages, and what exactly counts as an "earth tone."
99% Vernacular: Volume 3