In addition to the shading provided from the overhead tree
canopy, a discarded sailboat sail stretches over the Upper Deck and Safari Box.
Holes in the sail give way to the Bay Leaf trees and release the collected
rainwater to a cistern located under the Upper Deck. Gray-water is also collected under the deck, and subsequently flows through a natural plant filter
before being re-used to water fruit, vegetable, and herb gardens. A separate out-house will
accommodate a compost toilet.
Due to the abundance of termites on the island and the
occasional hurricane, we decided to construct the decks of strong, rigid
components: concrete footings; galvanized steel posts, beams, and joists; and
Brazilian Ipe decking.