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Building a Castle?
Zavian
universal peace sounds better than forever warRegistered User regular
universal peace sounds better than forever warRegistered User regular
I've thought about it ever since I was a kid building my Lego castle, and I've recently been thinking about it again more seriously. Is it possible to build a "modern" castle in the United States? I read this, and while thats the UK I think the laws are similar. Its legal as long as you go about it the correct way. But how would one go about it? I was thinking of buying up 30-50 acres of land in Colorado or the surrounding area, mostly wooded or mountainous land, then building the structure in the middle of the property so as to not obstruct any views from any neighbors lands or from any public roads.
Mostly, I would want to build a 10 foot gated wall around 3-4 acres of land. Within the walls would be the main castle, with the castle actually being something smaller than it actually appears (similar to Monticello in size), a small horse stable (for one horse), a vegetable garden and shed, a water well (if one is already on the property, then I would build around it), a pool, a solar array for electricity, and a septic tank system.
In terms of funds, the large majority would be going towards the several thousand tons of stone needed. Luckily, I can afford several thousand tons of stone. The main question I have isn't how much it would cost, as I'm willing to put in as much money as it would cost. I'm just wondering if and where it is legal to build it. Oh, and I know building a castle isn't easy or fast. This is a project I wouldn't mind working on and expanding on for the rest of my life truth be told. I just have no idea where to start, or if its even legal to do so in the US. I'm sure it is, but there must be some restrictions or requirements of something, but I cant really find any info on google or anywhere else about it
Mostly, I would want to build a 10 foot gated wall around 3-4 acres of land. Within the walls would be the main castle, with the castle actually being something smaller than it actually appears (similar to Monticello in size), a small horse stable (for one horse), a vegetable garden and shed, a water well (if one is already on the property, then I would build around it), a pool, a solar array for electricity, and a septic tank system.
In terms of funds, the large majority would be going towards the several thousand tons of stone needed. Luckily, I can afford several thousand tons of stone. The main question I have isn't how much it would cost, as I'm willing to put in as much money as it would cost. I'm just wondering if and where it is legal to build it. Oh, and I know building a castle isn't easy or fast. This is a project I wouldn't mind working on and expanding on for the rest of my life truth be told. I just have no idea where to start, or if its even legal to do so in the US. I'm sure it is, but there must be some restrictions or requirements of something, but I cant really find any info on google or anywhere else about it
Zavian on
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I'm not sure on the legality of it all, but 10 feet isn't that tall for a castle wall. That's only like 1 story. I'm pretty sure it'd be completely legal to build almost anywhere, so long as you could get enough land in an area that isn't going to disturb people (but lets face it, buying 50 acres of land in the middle of a downtown area isn't exactly easy, so I dont think you'd have many problems with obstruction of view laws.)
You also need to keep insurance in mind. That'd be really expensive on something this size, I'd imagine.
Check out thier FAQ section. They are estimating a $350,000 project cost for a castle on 75 acres of land.
Also keep in mind, the cost of building a trebuchet and putting together a raiding party would be significantly less....Im just sayin......
Anyway, awesome project. Don't think you will run into any legal issues, just be sure to hire good architects, builders, and consult with some medieval historians if you want something somewhat accurate. Actually, take a trip to Europe and tour a few.
Actually, it's such a cool idea I think I'm going to do the same thing.
What is it that attracts you to a 'castle'? And what is your idea of a 'castle'? I live in Edinburgh and we have plenty of the original ones here, and the idea of a US 'fake' really makes me cringe. It's not got any historical context in the US.
With the fundage, you could however develop a really cool modern 'interpretation' of the castle astheatic. Richard Murphy Architects here in Scotland did a similar thing for our Museum Of Scotland, you can see some pictures here:
http://www.worldtour-of-scotland.com/tour/images-tour/2008-museum-scotland.jpg
http://www.rampantscotland.com/visit/graphics/mos35b.jpg
and it's one of my favourite buildings in Edinburgh.
Will you find an architecture practice in the USA that will build you a castle? I have no doubt that you will. But i'd advise against it and suggest that you develop your notion of what a castle is, and what you want from a castle, and then find a firm who will be supportive in developing this notion. You don't want cheap, nasty imitation, you want inovation.
Bear in mind that craftsmanship was still an honoured skill in Jeffersons time. Nowadays (especially in the US) it's really not. Before I get flamed i'm not saying that there are no craftsmen in America, just that there are very few, and even fewer who would have the skill to do suitable mouldings and sculpture of the standard seen in a house like Monticello. This is where there is a bit of a slippy slope... You could go and buy 'off the shelf' mouldings and architraves and the like, but these are probably going to be made of some polystyrene or plastic substitute and could look pretty cheesy.
Just be careful, go buy a lot of architecture magazines (specifically Architects Journal, Architectural Review, and I find Grand Designs Magazine to be good too), go toyour library and look through old copies. People have tackled 'castle' design before, and I'd recomend you go and find out what they did, and how they did, then don't make the same mistakes that they've done.
If you go with a straight-up castle, the biggest problem would likely be getting it to code -- getting electricity in the right spot, making things safe for inspection, and so on. Building a house of stone isn't illegal or even difficult, and it's not that time consuming. Case in point, there's a garage near my work that was hit by a car and missing a wall. Was that way for almost half a year until yesterday, when 4 guys came out with cinderblocks and it was up in about 4 hours.
If you go with a manor house (like Monticello), the problem is in the details. Like Ponge says, most of the modern "replica" stuff is plastic. Sure, you put paint on it and no one can tell the difference from a casual glance, but you know -- and it's your house. And for clarity, if you're looking to build a Monticello-style house, it's not a castle -- which is crucial if you're going to talk to architects and contractors.
Of course, there are few housing styles that are 'illegal,' it's usually just a question of zoning and neighbors. If you're out away from people and have some land, you can build whatever you like, as long as it's safe.
I've done a lot of work "restoring" my house, which is an 1880s rowhouse. Not a lot of original style, mind, just undoing damage and ugliness that's been added over the years, like removing carpet & actual linoleum to go back to the original wood floors, adding trim, wood doors in the older style, and so on. Doors was a biggie, for instance -- the house didn't have doors when we bought it (just on the bathroom) and new hardwood doors are incredibly expensive. We ended up getting 6 at an architectural salvage place for $50 or less a pop, which was fantastic and now fits really well with the house, without being cheesy or out of place. Buying brand new doors for the otherwise old interior would've just looked "off." You'll likely run into similar problems with building anything "historically new."
Seriously though, do you have the money??
Also build a dungeon.
Well considering for a project like that youd be buying the materials in bulk and putting in the labor yourself.....it sounds about reasonable.
However I must concur with LondonBridge.
Tell you what Zavian, I have a better idea:
Colorado right? Pick one of these already existing castles, and I will build a few trebuchets, form a raiding party, storm the place and bring you the keys. All for say.....200k and a case of beer. Just gimmie a weekend to draw up a battle plan. What do say? We have a deal?8-)
I'm not directing this at you, but when I think of the world we live in.. man.. capitalism is fucking stupid
Anyway, it'll probably take a lot of money and effort, but I'd expect it's legal. If it's to be a dwelling for humans, it will need to pass building code, so you'll need to get professional assistance on your plans. The interior living space will definatley have to be "non-castle-like", ie: no bare stone. Building codes tend to require interior pourous material (stone) to be painted or covered for health reasons.
Once it's done, it'd be great if you open it up for groups that are into medieval times stuff to have events there periodically.
no charge even.
hehe
Where's Mully? I know she does CAD too as well as a few others. Lets make this guy a castle.
Brady Castle, or Sunrock Castle as its known now, is really close to me. It was built in the 70s by some crazy German or something. It was recently for sale for $600k listing. I don't know if it sold but it needed some work on the inside. I saw it because when I was looking for a house and a FUCKING CASTLE (in the middle of the suburbs) came up in the real estate search, well I had to!
I'm also a user of 3dsMax9 and Maya, so if you want a near-photorealistic render of what the final thing will like, I'm willing to do that as well.
edit: but I only have it at work.
edit again:
Just musing, but would you have a traditional (well, you know what I mean) looking castle from the outside but have furred out walls on the interior?
also, are you serious about this?
just let me know.
heck, I may play around with this anyway hehe