Real life devolopment - castle/fortress

[anonymousfromyou]

Thank you all for your input.

I am simply just trying to learn and get the field for this stuff and any information that may be needed. I.e. what type of things would make it look attractive and olden while keeping a modern look. I want to create it to have the olden touch and feel but the modern experience.

I know once you try to attempt one of these "rare" things, the builders think "oh, this guy knows nothing about this.. lets talk him into doing this & that to charge him massive amounts".

I have a few people who are getting back to me on a estimate (obviously this is a extreme guess) and a few basic designs of what kind of castle we want. I thought this might be one of the better places to recommend a style. I have been searching google and what not for hours upon hours and viewing hundreds of photos of stunning castles/forts throughout the world. Each one is very nice but i am not sure which is the best. I like the Windsor Castle entrance but i dislike the rest of the castle.

Basically.. if you guys could describe your "dream" castle. That is what i want, to know what you guys like and think would be amazing. And from there i could pick and choose what would go best together.

As a research i went to Washingtons Crossing PA (http://www.ushistory.org/washingtonc...sit/bowman.htm) and to the Bowmans tower. Its this old tower thats pretty tall, you simply go up in a elevator and look at the view. Its very nice but its simple and theres not much to do. Not much walking around or anything. So i would like to create more Towers in the castle with places to sit and maybe read a nice book. It was a great view but it was small and after two minutes it was just full of bees and rust. But the view was amazing & the fresh air.. i would pay $20 to sit there and read a nice book (if there was nice chair and no bees/rust)

Thank you all again for your input!

P.S if anybody is willing to create a emblem, please let me know.

P.S.S This plans to be located in the suburbs of PA - there are a lot of hills and trees and land is pretty cheap. Its not a final location but best place i have found.

[Midgardsormr]

I know once you try to attempt one of these "rare" things, the builders think "oh, this guy knows nothing about this.. lets talk him into doing this & that to charge him massive amounts".

That's why I suggested an experience designer rather than a builder. The designer is paid strictly for the design, not the execution, so there's no profit in dishonestly expanding the scope.

Windsor is far more palace than castle, not to mention very extravagant. Something a bit more modest, like Pendennis Castle, is what I'd shoot for:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pendennis_Castle

You wouldn't need to be bothered with building the star fort. Just the keep would be impressive enough, even if it was merely modern construction with stone dressing.

[Redrobes]

Hmm, sorta depends if he wants real 20ft thick walls or done with blocks & stone facade. Would make quite a difference I would imagine...

Anyway - you should at least check this out:
http://www.castles-for-sale.com/sale/index.htm

[anonymousfromyou]

To be honest, i really don't see anything attractive about that castle. When looking at other castles i must ignore the historic aspect; since this castle will be modernized and built now, not a few hundred years ago.

I am going for something a bit more.. regal with a sense of simplicity. In basic terms, i am thinking (at the moment) a square castle with circle has the corners. Those would be the watch towers rather then squares. Here is in image i found of something similar - http://www.pinellascountyfloridacrim...ine-justi.html

I want to obviously use nicer material (or newer) then the one above and make it look cleaner and more royal. I really want to make it so when you walk in you feel as a king/queen. Despite the outside look i want to make the inside very classy with modern things. Very nice marble and walls, that will of course fit the medieval theme.

My main issue is what types of rooms i could implement that i am not thinking of. What kind of things i am forgetting. I.e. a simple flag pole.

I think the small details can really make or break a castle. Make it look somewhat like this: http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/castle-5.jpg

Along with unique things like this: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/english/lion/images/portcull.gif

EDIT: A even closer model of what i would like is: http://www.lulworth.com/castle_park/...chitecture.htm

The outside figure, not the colors and styles.

EDIT 2: A even closer model: http://www.eastnorcastle.com/ -- this is the Eastnor Castle

[vmat2]

If you are looking to build a "real" stone castle then you should check out http://www.castlemagic.com/color.html These guys build custom stone castles.

[atpollard]

Look up HH Richardson and the Richardsonian Romanesque Architecture for a place to start.
Features.jpg
Oregon.jpg
FerrySt-Detroit.jpg
Orland Mansion.jpg

[Soultroubadour]

Ok just being totally honest here...

I think the plain old 4 tower square castle pangs of plastic children's toys and cheap sideshows.

So... You're looking for a classy castle that makes adults gawk like children, where people want to get married or throw lavish parties. Land is relatively flat, hopefully there's some woods and a water feature. You don't have to worry about people flinging boulders at it- that's a plus, but you still want a castle with a regal bearing, and striking and imposing first impression- and a relatively modest gardening bill (for a castle).

I would humbly suggest something more like Ashford Castle... http://www.argophilia.com/news/irela...vership/24306/

[Elzevir]

Seems interesting !
Quick reply to say that if you look for "castle" or "stronghold" in google images, you'll see pictures of actual castles, but if you try the terms "chateau fort" (the french usage for the same thing), you'll see a lot of sketches from many sources that probably will fit more your searches.
Good luck for your project !