The medieval days of grand family castles are all but gone, however Castelldefels shows that the individual family can still live in their own version of a castle. The family home in Barcelona takes on certain gestural qualities of traditional castles, but it nonetheless remains a modern looking home that any 21st century family would be happy to occupy.
The castle-like aspect of Castelldefels comes by way of the structuration of its upper floors. Several rooms along the top floor of the home have balconies, and these balconies are segregated from one another by evenly spaced columns that, from the outside of the home, look like parapets. These faux-parapets are made from modern sheets of perforated metal, keeping Castelldefels firmly rooted in the present while referencing the past.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Modernist Architecture
- Innovative design methods, including the incorporation of traditional qualities through modern materials, provide an opportunity for architects to explore the intersection of past and present.
- Urban Castles
- The integration of traditional castle features, such as parapets, into modern urban homes can inspire new and unique designs that provide families with a sense of grandeur and security.
- Authenticity in Architecture
- The incorporation of historical architecture elements into modern designs, as seen in Castelldefels, highlights the importance of authenticity and opens the door for creativity in architecture.
Where This Applies
- Residential Construction
- Companies in the residential construction industry can take advantage of the trend toward modernist castle homes by exploring new design techniques that blend historical and modern elements.
- Architecture
- Incorporating traditional castle features into modern urban homes provides architects with a unique challenge and an opportunity to push boundaries in their designs.
- Home Security
- With the integration of traditional castle features into modern homes, the home security industry can explore new products that provide homeowners with a sense of security while maintaining an aesthetic appeal.
