On a recent trip to Granada, Spain, I visited the Alhambra. The Alhambra is now a museum but used to be a walled citadel which enclosed palaces, gardens, and community housing for soldiers and artisans. The complex houses several courts, the oldest being the Alcazaba, a palatial fortification built during the period of Muslim-ruled Al-Andalus. The palace building took place between the 11th Century and the 14th Century and was made possible by the ingenuity of these Regal founders and occupants. Their trade was the making and distribution of Silk which I like to think of as synonymous with Cotton and the making of clothes. A product developed through the ingenuity of the Industrial revolution founders of Steam and the Cotton mill. Wealth and Power are made possible through invention, which has changed gradually through the Centuries.
Today we seem to be on the cusp of another transition of Power and Wealth made possible not so much through invention but rather the monopolising of the materials and labour resources to realise it.
The most inspiring parts of the complex for me were the following:
- The Generalife
- The Palace of the Lions
- The Palace of Comares
Several aspects of the architecture had an impact on me.
The beauty of the building, particularly given its age, led me to numerous attempts to imagine the original occupants and how they spent their days. The presence of water fountains and pools within the palace buildings brings a calmness to the spaces.
Water at home during this time was very rare and expensive to achieve and can be seen as another step along the development of ‘water at home’, which has led to our modern bathrooms, toilets and kitchens.
The ornamental detailing is the first thing that has an impression. The carefully carved friezes, tiling, and lofty ceilings emanate Wealth and Power but, more importantly, a concern for craft and ‘communicating’ to its immediate and future ‘audiences’. Building design’s ability to communicate is a valuable aspect of building design.
Other aspects repeated throughout the complex are Loggia or porches as refuges from the sun and places to spend time.
As well as the presence of water, the enclosing of spaces is of the most importance. Enclosed gardens and courtyards provide protection and privacy from the outside world without making you feel imprisoned. I have always loved these spaces.
At Gary Arnold architects, we try to imbue these kinds of elements within our design wherever it is appropriate to do so. Contact us to discuss your residential potential project.
