Hacienda as Vacation Architecture
Haciendas have a very rich history of development and adaptation. This article studies the use case of the Hacienda as Vacation Architecture.
This article is part of my architecture research, presented in a friendly way.
You can order the book either as a collectible hardcover artbook or as an instant digital download.
Order the book here.
History
The safety of the courtyard was heavily used in colonial times. Courtyards provide a transitional outdoor safe space while being closed of from the exterior. Spanish colonial homes, known as haciendas, are large estates, doubling as vacation homes as well as large scale farms. The term hacienda derives from the Spanish verb hacer (to make). They were meant not only to house Spaniards but also to produce goods for exporting.
As Spanish architecture, haciendas have several similarities to cortijos however they are very different in nature. If we can consider cortijos as single family units, haciendas can host several isolated groups: owners, visitors and an entire staff of working hands. The vast spatial requirements of a hacienda sometimes implied taller structures as well, integrating towers on each corner. Parts of these structures serve as vacation homes for colonizers. As such, the beauty of these spaces was just as important as their functionality. Many times, we see Classical decorative elements integrated into the facade, elements such as columns and moldings.
Contemporary Adaptation
People have been using the term hacienda increasingly more, especially in the post-pandemic traveling wave, most of the time describing examples of Mexican homes. In a hacienda, the indoor spaces are arranged around a private courtyard that can only be accessed through a guarded gate. Originally, a hacienda had two or more successive courtyards as they are considerably larger than cortijos. However, more recent examples are much smaller in size. Smaller groups of 2 to 4 individuals can live in these newer adaptations.
Hacienda
- Shape: several boxes with center removed, linked
- Spatial Typology: courtyard, portico, chambered
- Spatial Organization: grid
- Location: Mexico, Puerto Rico, Columbia, Colonial Spain; hilly regions, flat regions
- Materials: white stucco, concrete, various sizes of windows, wooden beams, pantile roof
If you’re confused about what some of these mean, please read the article on Spatial Typologies and Spatial Organisations.
Key Takeaways
- If we were to start colonizing other planets, the interplanetary architecture would probably look a lot like haciendas.
- Sooner or later, the uprising will come. So plan your home accordingly.
- Classical elements such as columns and moldings may look good. However only in small amounts, neutral colors and only if there are no other surrounding buildings.
This article is taken from a self-published book, part of the Vacation Architecture Series.
If you’d like, you can order the book either as a collectible hardcover artbook or as an instant digital download.
Order the book here.
