Design Pop: How Do You Remodel a Castle?
With all eyes on Windsor Castle for the recent wedding of Harry and Meghan, we got to thinking about regal renovations
They say our homes are our castles. In the case of newlywed couple Britain’s Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle, though, the phrase takes on a more literal meaning. Following their grand wedding festivities, Harry and Meghan reportedly are set to live in the relatively modest Nottingham Cottage, which is part of London’s sprawling Kensington Palace. Their elegant wedding unfolded on the stately grounds of Windsor Castle. The couple’s visits with Harry’s granny, Queen Elizabeth II, probably take place at Buckingham Palace.
Clearly, the pair aren’t strangers to a castle-dwelling lifestyle. Most of us, however, are. So what exactly does it take to make a house a home when that house has turrets and buttresses and centuries of royal history? We spoke with David Gibbon, director and chartered building surveyor at Edinburgh, Scotland-based architecture and surveying firm GLM, to find out.
Clearly, the pair aren’t strangers to a castle-dwelling lifestyle. Most of us, however, are. So what exactly does it take to make a house a home when that house has turrets and buttresses and centuries of royal history? We spoke with David Gibbon, director and chartered building surveyor at Edinburgh, Scotland-based architecture and surveying firm GLM, to find out.
Gibbon and his team have worked on a number of castles over the years, including this castle designated as being of international or national historic or architectural importance (A-listed) in Fife, Scotland.
Though the original castle on the property dated back to the 11th century, the structure that overlooks a wooded valley there now was largely reconstructed in the mid-19th century. When GLM took on the project a few years ago, the castle had barely been occupied since the 1870s and was run-down.
Though the original castle on the property dated back to the 11th century, the structure that overlooks a wooded valley there now was largely reconstructed in the mid-19th century. When GLM took on the project a few years ago, the castle had barely been occupied since the 1870s and was run-down.
One of the major updates the team made to the castle was restoring the castle’s orangery, a sort of greenhouse for orange trees, after the structure’s soaring roof had been truncated in the 1960s.
The 1871 chapel, which had been significantly vandalized, was also rehabbed.
A castle’s restored interior ceiling
Castles are typically a larger undertaking, Gibbon says, but principles similar to those followed when working with a more modest historic house usually apply.
Castles are typically a larger undertaking, Gibbon says, but principles similar to those followed when working with a more modest historic house usually apply.
A castle’s leaded windows
“We are trying to ensure that the building has a secure future, and for that to be the case, it must have a use that will ensure that it is cherished and protected,” Gibbon says.
“Many of the castles we have dealt with are, in effect, family homes, but just very old-fashioned ones, and the fact that they are called a ‘castle’ does not really distinguish them from any other country house, but you do have to be respectful of ancient building fabric.”
“We are trying to ensure that the building has a secure future, and for that to be the case, it must have a use that will ensure that it is cherished and protected,” Gibbon says.
“Many of the castles we have dealt with are, in effect, family homes, but just very old-fashioned ones, and the fact that they are called a ‘castle’ does not really distinguish them from any other country house, but you do have to be respectful of ancient building fabric.”
Ackergill Tower
Castle Tip No. 1: Be Extra Mindful of Its Age and History
Old homes always come with challenges, but when you’re talking about large buildings that were constructed in the 15th century or earlier, the issues that can arise tend to multiply.
In another run-down Scottish castle that Gibbon and his team renovated, Ackergill Tower in Caithness, one of the only things that worked was the coal-fired boiler that heated the water for the cast-iron bath. The team members stayed at the castle when they were surveying it and were horrified when they tried the tub themselves and learned that a family of rats was living beneath it.
At Scotland’s 15th-century Cawdor Castle, which is known for an association with Macbeth, the team had to revive complex roof coverings without materially changing the roof’s appearance.
Castle Tip No. 1: Be Extra Mindful of Its Age and History
Old homes always come with challenges, but when you’re talking about large buildings that were constructed in the 15th century or earlier, the issues that can arise tend to multiply.
In another run-down Scottish castle that Gibbon and his team renovated, Ackergill Tower in Caithness, one of the only things that worked was the coal-fired boiler that heated the water for the cast-iron bath. The team members stayed at the castle when they were surveying it and were horrified when they tried the tub themselves and learned that a family of rats was living beneath it.
At Scotland’s 15th-century Cawdor Castle, which is known for an association with Macbeth, the team had to revive complex roof coverings without materially changing the roof’s appearance.
At Inveraray Castle in Argyll, Scotland, pictured, they upgraded the Duke and Duchess of Argyll’s private apartments, installing nine bathrooms, a new staircase and the building’s first heating system.
At another 15th-century project the team is completing, GLM is renewing the roof coverings, repairing and restoring exterior stonework, and remodeling the interiors.
“As is often the case, [the castle] has been much altered over the years, and the alterations themselves are of considerable heritage significance,” Gibbon says.
At another 15th-century project the team is completing, GLM is renewing the roof coverings, repairing and restoring exterior stonework, and remodeling the interiors.
“As is often the case, [the castle] has been much altered over the years, and the alterations themselves are of considerable heritage significance,” Gibbon says.
Castle Tip No. 2: Get Creative to Bring It Up to Code
“Castles tend to be very vertical in their construction, and this can present accessibility problems and means of escape problems in the event of fire,” Gibbon says.
“Getting services into them can be very challenging, and if they are big buildings, which they sometimes are, the design of service installations such as heating and electrics is akin to the requirements for a hotel rather than an ordinary domestic house.”
“Castles tend to be very vertical in their construction, and this can present accessibility problems and means of escape problems in the event of fire,” Gibbon says.
“Getting services into them can be very challenging, and if they are big buildings, which they sometimes are, the design of service installations such as heating and electrics is akin to the requirements for a hotel rather than an ordinary domestic house.”
Castles often feature fortress-thick walls.
Adding or reconfiguring these features can get tricky, but Gibbon says there are ways to carefully make such changes, though they often require securing permissions from historic preservation officials.
“[It’s not] impossible to do quite radical things to very highly listed buildings if a case can be made that this is, ultimately, in the best interests of the building,” he says.
“For instance, we created a route for a fire escape stair in the thickness of the 15th-century tower walls at Ackergill with the full support of Historic [Environment] Scotland. In our most recent castle project, we installed a lift in a circular stair tower, which required the removal of some historic fabric. Again, the case for this had to be carefully presented but was accepted by the authorities.”
Adding or reconfiguring these features can get tricky, but Gibbon says there are ways to carefully make such changes, though they often require securing permissions from historic preservation officials.
“[It’s not] impossible to do quite radical things to very highly listed buildings if a case can be made that this is, ultimately, in the best interests of the building,” he says.
“For instance, we created a route for a fire escape stair in the thickness of the 15th-century tower walls at Ackergill with the full support of Historic [Environment] Scotland. In our most recent castle project, we installed a lift in a circular stair tower, which required the removal of some historic fabric. Again, the case for this had to be carefully presented but was accepted by the authorities.”
Gibbon says Scotland is known for updating old buildings and spaces, like this castle kitchen.
Castle Tip No. 3: Consult With an Expert
Castles usually have so many layers of additions and alterations that a remodel or restoration can be confusing if homeowners don’t have a knowledgeable pro — or a royal staff of preservationists on hand as Harry and Meghan do — to guide them through the process.
And, not surprisingly, any changes will mean a significant investment. (The cost of these types of projects, Gibbon says, is “as long as a piece of string.") But then again, buying a castle to live in in the first place isn’t cheap.
Castle Tip No. 3: Consult With an Expert
Castles usually have so many layers of additions and alterations that a remodel or restoration can be confusing if homeowners don’t have a knowledgeable pro — or a royal staff of preservationists on hand as Harry and Meghan do — to guide them through the process.
And, not surprisingly, any changes will mean a significant investment. (The cost of these types of projects, Gibbon says, is “as long as a piece of string.") But then again, buying a castle to live in in the first place isn’t cheap.
An updated castle fireplace
“In Scotland, there was a great tradition of recycling, adapting, altering and adding to old buildings. This can make them hard to ‘read’ and hard to understand the significance of their various parts,” Gibbon says. “It’s good to have an experienced guide who has a love and respect for these buildings, not too much ego that they want to impose on the building in question and a willingness to work with, not against, the owner.”
“In Scotland, there was a great tradition of recycling, adapting, altering and adding to old buildings. This can make them hard to ‘read’ and hard to understand the significance of their various parts,” Gibbon says. “It’s good to have an experienced guide who has a love and respect for these buildings, not too much ego that they want to impose on the building in question and a willingness to work with, not against, the owner.”
Leaded castle windows
Tell us: Would you want to live in a real-life castle? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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William the Conqueror started construction on the castle in 1070, and a number of royals added their own decorative or architectural mark in the centuries that followed. Henry III rebuilt several buildings and improved royal apartments in the 13th century. Edward III turned the buildings from military-style fortress to Gothic palace with pointed arches 100 years later. By the late 18th century, George III had decorated several of the state apartments in a Neoclassical style. In 1992, a fire devastated several sections of the castle, which resulted in a five-year, nearly $50 million restoration chaired by Queen Elizabeth’s husband, Prince Philip.