Architecture of Fiji
As a coastal city, the main architectural style of the urban centre, Suva has a foreign classical beauty, antique as if back to a few centuries ago.
Additionally, it is notable that the architecture of this country can provide insights to the architects around the world regarding the aesthetically appealing patterns and scientifically viable designs which would enhance the significance of the built environments.
The local and original architectural style of Fiji is unique in its own and the designs of different kinds of buildings vary according to their purpose and aesthetic significance.
Moreover, the resorts and the villas on the islands have tried to amalgamate the local Fijian architectural styles in order to maintain authenticity and present to the tourists what their country and heritage is about.
[5] Furthermore, in order to provide an aesthetically satisfying experience to those who visit Fiji to encounter its unique culture, several resort hotels utilize the layout of villages and the materials traditionally used in them.
In numerous areas, people still use the village layout designs where the use of reed and palm wood that reflects on the culture and ensure ecological sustainability.
[7] Furthermore, the architectural patterns or styles of the residential buildings also depend on the geographical feature and natural environment surrounding the area as well as their economic impacts.
[8] In these ways, the architectural pattern of residential buildings in Fiji depend on numerous factors including cultural, geographic, environmental, and economic aspects.
During the British era, the effects of the western architecture were only seen in the growing centres of the country and gradually urbanised these areas like Suva and Levuka.
Buildings like the Vineyard, that used to be the old Town Hall and the FINTEL building that once housed the Pacific Cable and Wireless Office, are archaeologically important and have been conserved and protected under various Acts and Regulations [12] While on one hand colonialization brought in the Western influences on the architecture, on-the other hand it also brought people from other nations in the form of plantation labourers like the Indians.
[11] The impact of the colonial culture in Fiji can be observed from the architectural patterns in numerous office buildings including the Nasova House.
[15] Additionally, the Forbes estate is built in a style that captures the western and the Fijian culture and architecture in true beauty, with thatched roof of beach shacks looking towards the ocean and in house pool to facilitate relaxation.
[15] In the current period, the architecture of Fiji utilizes modern technology, tools, and materials to enhance the aesthetic effectiveness of the built environments.
The knowledge about such patterns and insights into Fiji's architectural scenario would help the architects to use such complex fusion to enhance the aesthetic viability of built environments.
However, scholars like Mitsuko, Noriko and Masamitsu have associated the culture of Fiji to incorporate the traditional architecture with western ideas as an influence of Japan.
