Spanish Revival architecture, also known as Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, is a popular style of architecture originally developed in the early 20th century in the US to mimic the Spanish building styles of the earlier Spanish colonial era.
It is typically characterized by several features, which typically include:
• A low-pitched clay tile roof, often terracotta-tiled.
• Stuccoed walls and coquina (limestone and shell) walls, which are left unpainted.
• Windows with contrasting wrought iron grilles and balconies.
• Arcaded porches and pierced stucco panels.
• Ornamental plastered ceilings, commonly with beams showing through.
• Courtyards, often with potted plants.
• A mezzanine or second story balcony, often above the main entrance.
• Walls are often coated in an ochre, or reddish-yellow adobe color.
• Curved arched doorways, a feature not normally encountered in other styles.
• Carvings and decorations to suggest Moorish or Spanish influence.
• Fountains, balustrades, and other decorative elements.
What are 3 distinct features to a Spanish style home?
The three distinct features of a Spanish style home include its red-tiled roof, stucco walls, and decorative ironwork. The red-tiled roof is perhaps the most defining feature of a Spanish style home, as the signature Arab influence is apparent in the iconic glazed terracotta tiles.
Stucco walls are another distinct feature, with their smooth, rich textures providing a classic Mediterranean look. Finally, decorative ironwork such as iron balconies and gates have been used to great effect in Spanish style homes.
These intricate, often painted pieces add to the ornate look and feel of a Spanish style home.
What makes a house Spanish Colonial?
Spanish Colonial architecture is a style found commonly in the Southwest of the United States. It is characterized by its Spanish colonial influences, such as its signature red-tiled roofs and white stucco walls.
Its style breaks away from the traditional wood-frame houses and instead has a heavier, more massing architecture. It also incorporates other Spanish-influenced elements such as arches, balconies, courtyards, portals, and loggias.
The interior of a Spanish Colonial style house is typically high-ceilinged, with large rooms, as well as tile and wooden floors. Spanish Colonial homes usually have an open floor plan and minimal ornamentation, helping to create a feeling of grandeur.
Other architectural features may include intricate detailing on window frames, beams, and walls; stone pathways; and carved stonework. A Spanish Colonial home may also be accompanied by a courtyard, where you can relax and entertain guests in a shaded outdoor area.
What is a Spanish style house called?
A Spanish style house is usually characterized by its distinctive red clay tile roofs and stucco walls. It is often associated with Spanish Colonial and Revival Style architecture, both of which originated in Spain and were adopted by Spanish settlers in the United States.
The Spanish style house is typically built with thick walls and enclosed courtyards, and often has an arcaded facade and wrought iron details. Common interior features of Spanish style houses include arched or beamed ceilings, tile floors, wrought iron light fixtures, and intricate sculptural stonework or tile.
These homes typically have a central courtyard, which provides great outdoor living space, and is often surrounded by an arcade of arches or colonnades. Windows and doors often have rounded or pointed arches and may be decorated with fanlights, while some have balconies or porticos, and courtyards with fountains and lush gardens.
The design of this type of home often takes into account the climate, incorporating thick walls and other features designed to keep the interiors cool in hot climates.
What does a Spanish Colonial home look like?
A Spanish Colonial home is characterized by its use of traditional architectural elements, such as stucco walls, red clay tile roofs, arcades, courtyards, and wrought iron details. It often features a symmetrical front façade with the main entry centered in the middle.
The overall design often looks very simple and can be one or two stories high with a pitched roof. The overall style is also known as Mission Revival and dates back to the 19th century when architects began to rediscover the styles popular during Spain and Mexico’s occupation of the area.
Inside, these homes have several distinct design elements, such as tall ceilings, arches, ornate tilework and carved wooden or plaster details. Heavy wooden doors with ornate iron hardware are common, as well as decorative plaster moldings above the doors and windows.
They often feature a central courtyard, and some homes may have small balconies for outdoor areas.
No matter the size, you’ll often find that Spanish Colonial homes come with a Spanish flair and a timeless charm, making them a popular choice for many homeowners.
What is called to the house architecture during the Spanish colony?
The architecture of houses during the Spanish colonial period was known for its simplicity, but was also heavily influenced by local styles. This kind of architecture was mainly characterized by its use of stone, as well as its rectangular plans, red-tiled roofs, and high-rising, single-story buildings.
Mudejar-style architecture, which combines Spanish and Islamic design elements, was especially popular during this period. This aesthetic was often enhanced with arched doorways, elaborately decorated tiles and wooden beams and corbels, and intricately carved stonework.
Aspects of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture were also implemented, such as domes, towers, balconies, and decorative sculptures. Although common residential buildings generally only had one floor, some churches and public buildings during this period had multiple stories and terraces.
What is the architecture of Spain?
The architecture of Spain can be divided into four distinct eras, each with its own unique style: pre-Roman, Roman, medieval and modern. Pre-Roman architecture dates back to when the Iberian tribes first settled in the area and includes stone circles, megaliths, dolmens and religious shrines.
The Roman period marks the beginning of building activity in Spain, featuring amphitheaters, arches, colonnades, baths, and bridges. Examples of Spanish medieval architecture include grand Gothic cathedrals, monasteries, and castles, as well as the defensive military forts and towers known as “castillos”, many of which are still intact today.
Modern Spanish architecture is a more eclectic mix of influences from local traditions and international styles, including baroque, Moorish Revival, neoclassical, expressionist, and modernism elements.
Spanish modernist architect Antoni Gaudi is perhaps the best known exponent of this style, with notable works like the La Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona and Park Guell in the same city.
What are Spanish houses known for?
Spanish houses are known for their unique architecture and design. Many of the designs are based on traditional Minoan and Moorish flights of fancy, characterized by natural motifs, geometric shapes, bright colors and terracotta tile roofs.
These designs often feature archways, courtyards, balconies and terracotta roofs. Also typical of Spanish design is the use of tile, stucco and wrought iron, as well as wide sliding doors, shutters and wooden beams.
These elements all come together to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. As you would expect, the climate in Spain lends itself towards the use of cool natural materials such as terracotta and limestone, enlivened by splashes of Mediterranean blues and yellows.
What are the characteristics of architectural design during Spanish period?
The architectural designs during the Spanish period were generally realized through the use of Baroque and Gothic styles that were seen throughout Europe. This period saw a dramatic increase in ornamental and decorative aspects of the exterior and interior of buildings, as well as increased innovation in engineering and building systems that allowed for the creation of elaborate and intricate structures.
One of the dominant characteristics seen during this period was the use of large scale facades composed of stone and brick with detailed stonework and carved accents. The emphasis on decoration inspired a wealth of craftsmanship with decorative elements such as statues, sculptural vases, columns, arches, balconies, and cupolas often seen on the structures.
The overall effect of these design elements was to create grandeur and draw attention to the buildings, both inside and out.
The increasing size of churches during this period was one of the most easily distinguishable features of Spanish architectural design. Large cathedrals with grand towers and impressive facades were constructed throughout major cities in the Iberian Peninsula and other parts of Europe to reflect the power of the Catholic Church and its rulers.
In addition to large scale churches, this period also saw the rise of residential structures that emphasized comfort and elegance. Designers and builders blended innovative styles with traditional building materials such as slate, clay, and steel to create homes that were aesthetically pleasing and inviting.
Overall, the designs of the Spanish period showed a consistent influence from the grandeur of Europe and the ornamental possibilities that emerged from skilled craftsmanship with bricks and stone. These designs continue to influence architecture today and have resulted in some of the world’s most iconic and lasting structures.