Last week we shared Heather’s visit to the palaces of the Alhambra in Southern Spain, and how she found inspiration not just in the magnificent gardens but also in the refined geometric detailing of Moorish architecture. We mentioned that these ideas have already found their way into some of our designs, and a couple of friends have wanted to know more. As the projects are still in development, we can’t give too much away, but here are the basics…
One of the things that impressed Heather was the musharabiya, fine, wooden latticework used to cover windows. In the Alhambra’s heyday, these allowed the sultan’s harem to observe the outside world without being seen. The Spanish later adapted the idea for convents. Above is an example from the Alhambra’s Hall of Two Sisters. We decided to use this idea when a client asked for a Moroccan-inspired retrofit for their existing pool area. We enlarged the scale of the lattice for use in a doorway, resulting in a more open design. The ultra-clean woodwork possible with computer-assisted milling machines will make these modern musharabiyas a sophisticated detail in a contemporary hardscape design.
Also inspiring was the simple but elegant tile work surrounding the fountains in the Generalife, the Summer Palace of the Alhambra. We borrowed the pattern for a municipal plaza and fountain, where the small decorative tiles will be emblazoned with various symbols related to the city’s history.
Next stop: Portugal…