Just curious if anyone may have heard of any castles with interior conservatories? Just dug up a few of my old floor plan ideas (four tower design-similiar to that of the Bodiam Castle- with interior and enclosed courtyard) and although I would love a year-round conservatory, I doubt it would be too close to being correct.

Would be pretty cool though, and great place for fruit trees that would bear fruit year-round. Not to mention some smaller exotic birds too! I know they became popular as early as the 17th cen, but no luck with anything earlier.

Any ideas?

well...actually....I brought this point up to the boys...I wanted to do something similiar...I want a garden and a pool...like a lagoon...not very period but oh well, my house....I want to be able to use it year round also...Ive been looking into some structures...haven't really found anything I like yet...although I am thinking class ceiling, again, not very period...there is a folly here called Hammond Castle...if you go to the website there are some photos...its pretty nice.

www.hammondcastle.org

Hmmm..couldn't access the site. Yeah, kinda thinking it would be nice to have weather or not they actually had them. I want a butterfly collection too....a live one. Silly me

Will keep trying the site...would love to see it. Thanks :Yes_Woman:

hmmmm....I can't get on the site either......wonder whats up.

Looks like the site has been removed (perhaps they forgot to pay the bill) or the server is just down. I will keep trying and let you know when (or if) it comes up.

The US net is slow and only about half working today. The Global net is not much better and is working in spurts with low numbers.
Opp's sorry, tech info

Dunc, you're such a geek! we love ya though!

Galla, heres the story with Duncan and computer tech: He's gonna tell you that he's no good and that he's not-all-that knowledgable... balh, blah, blah then he'll turn around and Geek-out and make everyones head ("Hid" - pronounced like "bid") spin. but yes, we do love him. Very much.

We barbarians never ail from this malady. We know the simpler lifestyle...
t-y-p-e w-o-r-d-s , hit "add reply"
See wench = drool
use this smiliey liberally...
Moat goes on the outside ...

And when he tells you a bunch of techno-talk, just pretend to understand and tell him what a great job he's doing with the hoozawahtsit and use the liberally, as Scott drinks moat*#@er stated in the last post. You'll catch on...you're a wench at heart, I just know it.

Outdoor conservatories?..hmm. Don't know. Unlikely in the old days, but probably many ones that have been renovated have them. In this day and age, it should be a no-brainer to have things like this, but alas, look at the complications! What say the five of us just, like, re-invent the architectural field so more people can have nice things like this without all this hassle! We can tell our heirs how we were responsible for the 21st century castle craze.

Wench at heart?! Most definately! My other half is a techno-geek as well, so can keep up pretty well. Taught myself the terms and meanings so I could keep up with him - funny enough. Easier to have a conversation when you know what the hell the other person is saying. I can even build websites now...and good ones too!

You know...that would be an interesting thing. With all of the groups building castles, we could be experts in the field before we know it! I have actually thought of taking some drafting and architecture classes at a local tech college to help out with the planning stages, but not sure I want to be back in school with a bunch of babies that get to party on the weekends! Suppose you can never have too much education....or can you? (thoughts of heads exploding instantaneously) Hmm..have to think on that one.

As for the conservatory thing, guess you could call it an indoor courtyard. I like the plan and thinking it would work for my project. We will be striving for as much accuracy historically, but then again, I am thinking flushie potties and electricity weren't part of the original plans. Go figure. Gotta love the conviences of the modern day!

Cheers!

First may I say in my own defense before I launch some one,
I am not a Tech-no geek,
Meg is really good with PC's and wants me to learn so I can work this site which is not half built yet.

The Romans {Laureen's relatives} in the UK utilized a double wall with water stored in between for many of their gardens. The sun warmed the rock which in-turn warmed the water giving heat to the ground and reduced the work on the boilers for household needs.
more later

Hey if you are needing further help with the site, I can probably bow beat William into helping. We run websites as a business, and I am sure he would really not mind helping out if needed.

No, we don't need any help with the site thanks, It's part of my wifes and my company's.

Ah kewl...just thought I would check. We run a hosting and website business too.

...just goes to show ya...great minds think alike!

oh yes....and

It's been hectic around here again today and so I have but a few minutes to post at a time which makes it seem I'm rude or something, sorry.

Actually we have two web servers of which we have hosting capability's also, both professional grade on the high end.

Meg has been into computers for years. She and her first husband who was a engineer had the first small (less then room size) computers at home in the state long before cooperations or any one else did.
Her son is working on the Quantum computers doing the programming.

Me, I'm just learning this stuff.

OK, just a geek then. (Kidding!!!!) Galla's the tekno-geek!...I mean techno-wench!
(Definately not techno-Barbie, though...)

Hmmmm...architectural training sure would be helpful in this type of endeavor, but to draw blueprints for construction is another league. After all, how many architects can you eat alive before you find one that jives with what you want? Have you looked into specialty architects that could actually draw a castle blueprint?

So is that how you two went abou it? I was curious as to if most others drew their own, but know the whole blueprint thing could be a real bugger.

Actually I have thought about going with a specialty archeticture firm to help with the project but they tend to be more expensive. But thinking my luck is on the rise as I ran into some long lost SCA friends last night, one of which is a specialty engineer and whom has been working on specialty archetecture! And funny enough, he is wanting to design a castle and find someone else who is wanting to build it.

Imagine the luck!

Poor guy, I almost jumped him when he said that. We looked over some of the plans I had already and he liked what he saw, but had some other interesting points to add to make things more efficent and hide more of the modern day necessities. Also had some areas to change a bit to make more astetic and authentic. He is currently working on some ideas for me now. Can't wait! So I guess he will be doing the blueprints. I offered money, but he told me he would rather have a room anytime he wanted it. So it was agreed. Thinking he is to change a bit of the plans, but was similiar to what he was thinking.

So now I just wait and work on finding areas that might be useful for when I get to the interior of the house design. Have basics in this noggin of mine. Know that I want handcarved solid wood pieces to help obtain the feel of ambiance - not to mention hold up to some pretty good wear and tear. And too, reproductions tend to cost a bit less than the real deal.

Good score...! Is he trained to do actual blueprints? If so, then to get his services for free is like finding gold in your fridge.

Yes, he can do the blueprints complete with all of the electrical, plumbing, etc (not to mention a major perfectionist too). I suppose he has some sort of nifty program on his computers somewhere to help out...but didn't quite ask if he was doing them by hand.

That was kinda my theory too!

well now, he might just have found himself a new profession! Does he want to hire out his services? lol

I will make sure and ask. No harm in that. Even put in a good word for you all.

Hey Galla....the Hammond Castle link is working again....check out the courtyard...its the 3 photos in the second row....it is an interior courtyard with a glass and possibly retractable ceiling...has a swimming pool that looks like a pond too

http://hammondcastle.org/photos.htm

Wow..that is definately an incredible place. Looks like some great ideas for a few things I would love to have! Thanks!

my pleasure...if I ever find my photos of the place, I'll post them...I have some nice interior images from different angles. I want to do something similiar in my place....if I could make it indoor/outdoor that would be even better! I just love the Tudor store fronts as interior walls...I am seriously considering that for my kitchen...castle or not.

I've got a few prints of real Tudor store fronts and other buildings if that will help.

sweet....I have been contemplating that look for my kitchen here if I end up keeping this place...if not, something between the Tudor thing and the castle interiors posted if custom built. I have a book on making Medieval furniture that has some great cabinets (free standing furniture pieces) that I thought would be great to modify for functioning kitchen cabinets to maintain a feeling of being a few hundred years old.

also think cobblestone would look really interesting in the kitchen...but hey, what do I know....I have warped sense of design...

BTW, what happened to the "edit" button for the posts?

I don't think that the design concept is all that "nuts". There are some interesting ways you could go abut it. Shooting for the Old World Tuscan look myself.

Our Project core is of the 11 c and several areas are no later then the 13 c,
Of course with modern upgrades in most of the castle.

Sounds great! The castle will be a bit different in design, beginning with the walk in fire hearth (complete with spit and arm), then I want to add older looking pieces to make it look as though the castle had been there and just updated through time.

Has anyone checked out the site for heartland Appliances? Look at their classics line...pretty kewl stuff.

Heartland Appliances

That was a new one on me, thanks!

thanks...vandykes restoration has some very cool appliances too...

Kewl...will have to check them out here in a sec. Thanks!