Kombiná

Kombiná movie poster
Bonaire - Villa Catalina
Bonaire - Villa van de Sande
Curacao - CMC
Curacao - Mangrove Park
Curacao - Mongui Maduro Library
Saba - Captains Quarters
Saba - Fire Station, interview with firefighters
Saba - Fire Station Saba
Saba - Green Flash House
Lyongo in conversation at Sister Marie Laurence School for filming Kombiná
St Maarten
Lyongo in conversation at Sister Marie Laurence School for filming Kombiná

What defines contemporary Caribbean architecture? We have asked ourselves this question many times while designing new projects on the Dutch Caribbean islands. After 25 years of work in the Caribbean we wanted to document our work and visualize the search for an answer to this question.

Everyone knows what you mean when you talk about Caribbean music. Styles such as reggae, calypso, soca, salsa, zouk and merengue are known worldwide. This music emerged from a mix of African, European and other influences, characteristic of Caribbean culture. But architecture in the Caribbean is often reduced to the traditional styles. Curacao’s colorful facades, Bonaire’s historic slave houses, and Saba’s gingerbread trims. While beautiful, these images only scratch the surface of the islands’ architectural diversity and innovation.

Especially when it comes to contemporary architecture, there has been very little documented—until now… So, what does contemporary Caribbean architecture actually look like? And what influence do climate, migration, and heritage, for example, have on it? For us, like the local music and language, architecture is a mix of influences. Our documentary Kombiná – which literally is translated as ‘mixed’ – tells the story of how our contemporary projects reflect the local culture.

The documentary premiered in 2024. You can watch the trailer below. It was screened exclusively at film festivals in 2025. Since 2026, the documentary has been available on YouTube. You can watch a version with English and Spanish subtitles, in order to offer it in two world languages ​​to as wide an audience as possible. Below the buttons you’ll find more information about the making of the film and our participation in various film festivals on this screening page.

Making a documentary

We first started the process back in 2023 – by applying for subsidies, writing a script and putting together film schedules together with filmmaker Pim Gelevert. In order to be able to record and show Kombiná – a documentary about Lyongo’s search for contemporary Caribbean architecture – in our anniversary year of 2024.

We have travelled to four Dutch Caribbean islands, to film all types of projects on Curacao, Bonaire, St Maarten and Saba. From Curaçao’s lush Mangrove City Park to the immense Curaçao Medical Center. On Bonaire, you’ll discover modern villas like Villa van de Sande and Villa Catalina. In St. Maarten, education is a major theme in our conversations. Finally, the viewer also visits the unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean: Saba, where they’ll see the local school and the fire station, among other things.

In depth conversations

During filming in May 2024, we had many beautiful conversations with people from the islands. The Caribbean, known for its vibrant culture, lush landscapes, and colorful traditions, faces unique architectural challenges. With a growing population, increasing tourism, and rising demand for public and private spaces, the islands are experiencing a transformation. Over the past two decades, there has been a significant push toward creating buildings that are not only functional but also sustainable, resilient, and reflective of local identity.

Our philosophy is clear: architecture should bethe answer to social challenges and should celebrate the essence of a place. In this film, Lyongo visits various projects that he has designed on the Dutch Caribbean islands over the past 25 years. Together with young designers, residents and students, he discusses important themes such as sustainability, heritage, social inclusion and local culture. He investigates whether and how these themes influence the architecture that he creates. During these conversations we’ve also addressed other current issues that arise on the Caribbean islands, such as climate change and decolonization of our heritage. Consider, for example, climatological issues for designers on the Caribbean islands. Most houses there are too hot, so they do not protect you well against climate influences. This is often solved by energy-consuming cooling machines – for example cooling costs 5 times as much energy as heating. People with a small budget cannot afford this, so they must live in a house that is too hot which affects their well-being. A better design ensures healthier people and less energy use. This applies not only to homes, but also to other buildings such as offices or public spaces.

In addition to climate challenges, as a designer in the Caribbean you also must deal with extreme weather conditions, in the form of hurricanes. Hurricanes are expected to become more intense due to climate change. With a category 5 hurricane you are talking about wind speeds of 250 km/hour, a strong storm in the Netherlands has wind force 12, which is only 120 km/hour. Designers are faced with the task of creating buildings that are both comfortable, sustainable, and safe. In the documentary we will show our projects that have withstand hurricanes for the past 25 years.

Why we made this film

Our wish was clear: to record our vision of contemporary Caribbean architecture and to document the developments that the Dutch Caribbean islands are going through. Little had been documented about Caribbean designs to this date. When something is recorded, it is often in writing – in a book for example. But that medium is rarely used by people from the Caribbean islands. Moving images, on the other hand, are a more suitable medium. In addition, our projects lend themselves better to video images, so that you can experience them well in their context and through the eyes of the users. The choice to record our projects in a film was therefore obvious.

Kombiná provides a platform to showcase not only Lyongo’s vision but also the possibilities for future generations of Caribbean designers. For him, this film is more than just a documentary; it’s a deeply personal narrative. “It is a personal story in which I’ll share my fears, achievements, struggles and dreams. Which all have shaped me as a human being and are the basis for my architecture. I hope this documentary inspires others, especially youngsters, in their quest of creating a better living environment for all. But also for a wider audience; I hope that the images and projects inspire people and reflect the beauty of the Dutch Caribbean islands. For me the title perfectly reflects the spirit of the film and these islands: a fusion of ideas, cultures, and solutions to create something greater than the sum of its parts.”

Awards and screenings

Kombiná premiered October 2024 to a sold-out audience at the Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam (AFFR), where it received the prestigious second-place Audience Award. With over 80 films shown and 8,000 attendees, this recognition underscores the power of its message. Architects, urban planners, students, and community members alike were moved by the film’s vision.

We have received a lot of positive feedback on the film. There were emotional reactions in the theater, as well as emails and phone messages afterward. Young students who attended the premieres said the documentary inspired them to contribute to ‘their’ Dutch Caribbean islands. Other architects from the Caribbean shared this sentiment, with one even stating, “In my 18 years as an architect, this is the first documentary about a Caribbean colleague. Capturing Lyongo’s work, in which he focuses on creating a safe and pleasant built environment that will last for generations, is truly monumental.”

We also received many kind words from the general public. We hope that with more screenings, we can reach even more people and show the Dutch Caribbean islands in a positive light to a broad audience.

We have organized a premiere on every Caribbean island where filming took place and will organize other screenings as well. After that, we hope to be able to offer the documentary at various film festivals. To eventually make the film accessible to a wide audience online. Here’s a list of showings so far:

2024

2025

You can contact us for more info about future screenings and about hosting an event.

Credits

This documentary is a production of the Social Design Foundation. It was made possible from our own funding, along with two generous clients and the Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied.

  • Directed by Lyongo Juliana
  • Cinematographer and director of photography: Pim Gelevert
  • Narration by Shirma Rouse
  • Line producer: Emma Heinhuis
  • Script by: Lyongo Juliana and Emma Heinhuis
  • Subtitles English & Dutch: Emma Heinhuis
  • Subtitles Papiamentu: Hellen Noort
  • Subtitles Spanish: HappyScribe
  • Poster design by: ejpeg.design
  • Recording: May 2024
  • Production: June – September 2024
  • Language: English, Papiamentu and Dutch.

We wanted to let someone communicate comfortably in their own native language with each interview or conversation. The subtitles are completely in English, even when English is spoken. So that the film can be followed by everyone and can also be viewed by the hearing impaired.

All content in Kombiná was carefully reviewed and approved in close collaboration with all participants, partners, and stakeholders prior to the film’s premiere in 2024. Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy and clarity of the information presented, and to represent all perspectives respectfully. Despite these efforts, if you notice any inaccuracies or have questions about the content, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are committed to transparency and open dialogue, and welcome feedback from viewers.

Watch the trailer

In Kombiná, architect Lyongo Juliana takes the viewer on a journey through his work from the past 25 years. From projects on Curacao and Bonaire to the Windward Islands of St Maarten and Saba. Together with young designers, residents and students, Lyongo explores the essence of architecture – one that reflects not only the environment but also the community. What is the impact of themes such as sustainability, heritage and inclusion on his designs? The documentary challenges the viewer to think: is there such a thing as contemporary Caribbean architecture?

This trailer was made by Faraway Edit Studio, studio of Pim Gelevert.