All about Costa del Sol: Traditional Spanish architecture vs. Contemporary style

Spain is known as a country which has lately become an international centre for design, innovation and excellence. With the creation of the European Union the architectural expansion has started. The investment of large amounts of money in development projects created a market for young architects to improve their skills.

Today Spanish architecture cannot be defined by a certain style, instead we can say that the architecture in Spain can be defined by quality and beauty, the traditional one for sure and lately, contemporary architecture.

Traditional Spanish houses are known for their heavy ornamentation inspired by Spanish and Moorish architectural traditions, with carved and shaped columns, wrought iron details at the windows and doors and tiled floors, sometimes in elaborate patterns. These diverse influences sometimes lead them to be called Spanish Eclectic houses. Spanish floor plans are designed for entertaining, both indoors and out, with great gathering rooms and extensive verandas. All of these houses are unique and well-constructed with lots of character and charm.

Even though a lot of people love traditional style, in today’s real estate market, one of the most desirable styles is the contemporary one. It is sought out by many potential buyers, including those who want to live in custom built houses. Contemporary designs are not defined by a single shape or style. One reliable clue, however, is the presence of large, tall panes of glass. Homes in this style are usually strongly geometric, bold and tend to work best on spectacular large sites. Other key features of these houses are: simple forms, large windows, “structure on show” and an industrial look.

Traditional and contemporary architecture however mix well together. It works well but only when it’s done properly and with a slight hand of restraint. There are numerous examples of successful meshing of these two styles together into one cohesive design. Obviously, it is best to attempt this only under the supervised watch of a skilled design architect. You can add traditional elements into a modern design (and vice versa) and get the best of both design worlds.