All You Require to Know About the Spanish Colonial Architecture
Spanish Colonial architecture represents the influence of Spanish colonial culture on the cities and towns of East and New World. As a result, it still exists in many aspects of the urban planning and city design aspects of some of the most developed countries today.
Barcelona, Madrid, San Francisco, and Bogotá all share common characteristics with colonial architecture. These include the use of simple and traditional materials and the use of colors and textures representing colonial Spain and its culture.
They also incorporate a combination of traditional design elements and modern techniques such as light, heat, and weatherproofing. In other words, you can expect to find a mixture of modern, classic, modern architecture in these cities.
SPANISH COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
Some of these cities have already used this type of architecture in their everyday architecture and design. The examples of the Spanish style homes lay in Spain, Oviedo, Seville, and Bogotá, etc.
These are just a few examples. Indeed, these are just the tip of the iceberg. These cities are the most important and the best examples of Spanish colonial architecture, especially in terms of the design and implementation of these aspects.
Moreover, most of these cities still bear traces of these elements in their design and architecture, and thus, you should not hesitate to take advantage of this type of architecture for your purposes.
FEATURES IN SPANISH STYLE HOMES
When it comes to home design, Spanish style homes have one of the highest popularity rates. A Spanish style house can provide a warm and inviting atmosphere that is very popular among many homeowners. These homes are also a perfect fit for those looking to buy their first house.
Unusual Design in Spanish Colonial Architecture
One of the most commonly found features of Spanish colonial houses is their architecture. Spanish style homes often have an intricate architecture that makes them unique. These homes tend to consist of small, narrow rooms. They are often built with brick or stone.
A Whole Different Set of Colors in Spanish Colonial Homes
In terms of color schemes, Spanish style homes also tend to be very bold. They tend to use large amounts of dark colors. This color scheme is a result of the use of large expanses of open space. These homes often feature large windows designed to give the impression of space.
Hard Surface Details in Spanish Homes
Another feature of Spanish style homes is their use of hard surfaces. Many of these homes will feature large expanses of tile. This uses a decorative aspect to a home’s design. Other features of this type of home include ceramic wall tiles and plaster wall tiles.
Accessories & Style in Spanish Architecture
Some of the other features of Spanish style homes include large windows and large wooden doors. These homes will often feature elaborate carvings on the floors.
Other common features of these homes include wrought iron fixtures, stone countertops, and granite worktops. A lot of these homes will also feature ornate fireplaces.
Spanish Architecture Promotes Modern Appliances’ Usage
Some of the other features of Spanish style homes that are very popular are modern appliances. These appliances include air-conditioning systems, water heaters, and central heating.
Most of the homes that feature these features are very energy efficient. This helps to lower the monthly electricity bills paid by consumers.
Décor of Spanish Revival Homes is Full of Natural Materials
The last feature found in Spanish style homes is the use of natural materials throughout the house. Most of these homes will feature a home decor of natural materials. One of the most popular items that create these homes is the use of wood.
Wicker Furniture Added to a Home in Spanish Style
The cost of building a home like this can be very low. Homes like this can get made out of wood, cork, and wicker furniture.
The fact that these home decorating pieces get constructed from natural materials helps keep the costs down because the pieces comprise natural materials that are not going to break the bank at the end of the year.
In a Nutshell
There are many advantages to using Spanish style homes. One of the biggest advantages is that these homes allow a homeowner to add Spain’s touch into their home. The design of these homes helps to set them apart from traditional styles.
These homes offer the homeowner a chance to enjoy the benefits of living in a home that is full of style. These homes are unique and offer homeowners a wonderful way to create a personal space.
If you are looking for a great opportunity to renovate your home or to give it a more luxurious look, these are some of the features of Spanish style homes that you might want to consider.
CHARACTERISTICS IN SPANISH HOMES
The architecture of Spanish colonial homes considers a blend of Moorish and Spanish architectural influences, and this is one of the primary characteristics of the buildings.
Large Arches & Ornate Detailing
As mentioned earlier, the characteristic of colonial architecture is a mixture of Moorish and Spanish styles. The Spanish influence reflects in the large arches and pillars used on walls, along with ornate detailing in paintings and other decorative art pieces.
This Spanish influence got used colonial settlers to help them learn the art of their neighbors, and the result is one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Europe.
Intricate Carvings
There are many other elements of Spanish colonial architecture that you may not even realize. Many of the standard features of Spanish homes are still used today, including the ornate fountains and the intricate carvings used to make wall decor.
Of course, there is also wood for the floors and the walls, although tile has replaced many of the earlier types of flooring used by many homes on the island.
Historical Touch & Finish
The history of the colonial homes that you may be looking at can get traced back several hundred years. Some of these Spanish colonial homes’ features may have been there since the earliest days of the colony.
Many of the buildings that get used as homes got destroyed during the violent revolution that took place in the 16th century. Some of the left standing buildings got converted into churches and are persisting.
Use of Clay & Terracotta
When looking at the characteristics of Spanish colonial architecture and Mexican-style homes, you will find that the houses that are still standing got constructed using materials such as clay and terracotta.
These materials get used over the years and have helped to create some of the most beautiful buildings in the entire world.
One of the features of Spanish colonial architecture that you may notice is that the structures used got built on stilts and were not built on foundations.
Timeless Style of Architecture
The history of colonial architecture can get traced back hundreds of years. In many cases, it is possible to see some of the architectural features of the architecture that you see in the streets of Spain today.
Even if it has been over a hundred years, you can still recognize some of the features of Spanish colonial architecture from the design of the houses and buildings that are still standing.
Of course, this is one of the main characteristics of Spanish colonial architecture and is the ability to adapt to new styles and make them fit into the time’s architectural style.
Brilliant Insulation
You will also find that colonial architecture used many of the same features in homes that are being constructed today and other types of architecture. For example, many of the roofs of colonial homes available today got made of clay or plaster or Terra cotta.
These provide the necessary insulation and keep out the heat during the year’s cold months.
This was an important feature of many of the homes built back in the day, as homes were not built to withstand the extreme temperatures of the rainy season.
Final Words
You can find many different hacienda style homes attractive enough to make you redo your home according to Spanish colonial architecture. The houses would get used by many generations to make them stand the test of time and continue to meet their residents’ needs for years to come.