This outdoor bathroom and shower at Durga’s Den in Ocho Rios, St. Ann’s, Jamaica is a charming, eco-friendly clay structure designed to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings.

The rehabilitation of the composting toilet (CT) and outdoor shower began through the Bittersweet Program in Jamaica, with the PDC Program Natural Building Module. During this phase, students applied a thick earthen plaster made from clay, sand, and natural fibers (coco coir) to level and smooth the existing primary walls in preparation for a lime plaster.

Continued visits to the site allowed for work to be carried out through volunteer open days at Durga’s Den, where participants cobbed, plastered, and painted the structure (concrete bathroom walls and wooden door frames) using natural paints made from clay, lime, cactus, sand, and linseed oil.

Additional cob was applied to exposed wood framing (interior and exterior) used to define and map the structure. This was done to preserve the integrity of the beams after noticeable insect damage. By covering all exposed wood, the cob both protected the timbers and helped deter further insect activity. This intervention also created a continuous flow of earth throughout the structure, transforming the aesthetic and giving the building a more cohesive, grounded feel.

A lime plaster was applied using sand and lime, with red clay (harvested off the highway) used as a natural pigment to add warmth and character. To improve privacy, an additional wall was constructed using traditional wattle-and-daub techniques, infilled with cob and plastered with a lime plaster.

During continued construction in October 2025, Hurricane Melissa caused water damage to an exposed wall that had not yet received lime plaster. This compromised the integrity of earlier cob work done by previous builders. The necessary repairs became an opportunity for creative renewal, and stonework was introduced to fill the damaged area. This intervention formed a new window opening, allowing natural light and views to interact with the space and adding both beauty and resilience to the structure.

In mid-February through early March 2026, the bathroom at Durga's Den has undergone its final stages of construction and finishing, incorporating a range of natural building materials and traditional finishing techniques.

A protective roof was installed above the bathroom entrance to provide shelter from the elements and protect the exterior wall from direct exposure to rain.

The interior and exterior walls received their final lime plaster and lime wash finishes, creating a durable, breathable and natural surface. Lime polish was applied in areas exposed to frequent water contact to provide additional protection and a refined finish.

A final coat of natural clay paint was applied to the bathroom walls, complementing the overall natural material palette. The sink was also finished using a lime polishing technique, creating a smooth, refined surface.

For the flooring, an experimental sand and stabilised lime finish was developed and applied. This approach explored the use of locally appropriate natural materials to achieve a functional and aesthetically cohesive floor finish.

Overall, the completion of the bathroom at Durga's Den brings together natural building techniques, breathable finishes and experimental material applications, reflecting a commitment to sustainable construction and the use of earth- and lime-based materials.