European countries are famous for the beauty of buildings that are influenced by ancient cultures. Europe always gives architectural memories in their country and the colonial territory. You can see that splendour in every corner of Europe, including southern regions such as Spain, Greece, Italy and Portugal. You will see many beautiful Mediterranean houses with distinctive patterns that cannot replace anywhere else.

Generally, you can identify design styles worldwide from the use of specific colours, fabrics, textures, or materials highly influenced by local cultures. These influences penetrate certain design styles that give birth to their distinctive and unique interior styles in interior design.

History of Mediterranean Name

The Mediterranean means land or country in the middle. The Mediterranean Sea is intercontinental water located between Europe in the north, Africa in the south and Asia in the east, covering  ​​2.5 million km². The name the Mediterranean comes from the Latin phrase ‘Mediterranean’s, which means “inland” or “in the middle of the land” (from a medium, “middle” and terra, “land”).

This sea was a busy traffic lane, allowing trade and cultural exchange between the Egyptians, Ancient Greeks, Ancient Romans, and the Middle East. Mediterranean history was instrumental in the beginnings and development of Western civilization. The Mediterranean Sea was an important route for traders and travelers of ancient times, allowing trade and cultural exchanges between the people who appeared in the region. The history of the Mediterranean region is essential for understanding the origin and development of many modern societies.

The characteristics of Mediterranean Houses of every country

Each country has its characteristics in applying a house’s style even though they live near the Mediterranean sea. Different cultures influence the design in each country. The patterns of ceramics, the hills’ characteristics, to the natural resources that make up building materials. Every country is different in that. Here are the differences in the parts of Mediterranean houses in each country.

Spanish Mediterranean style

The Spanish civilization itself has indeed experienced its heyday on the Mediterranean coast. This country, which is located in the northwest of the Mediterranean, affects the style of Mediterranean building in Indonesia and Western countries such as America. In Indonesia, the Spanish Mediterranean style is also often encountered. You can see the characteristics of the Spanish Mediterranean style from the following features:

• The tiles are made of clay with a terracotta color.
• The walls are rough plastered.
• There are arches over the doors, windows, and carved porches.
• There are columns or pillars.
• Some carvings or decorations come from natural stones.

• An architect, Evan Dolmatsky, designed this Mediterranean-style house. Located in Beverly Hills, California, with five beds, five baths, 4,632 Sq. Ft.
• Image credit: Instagram @evandee

Many similarities are found in the original Mediterranean style and after being influenced by the Spanish civilization in California, Texas and South America. Spain’s country is very close to the Mediterranean region. With abundant stone material and natural conditions relative to the beach, it encourages residents to build sturdy houses.

Italian Mediterranean

• Northern Italian style Mediterranean home.
• Location: La Quinta, California
• Image credit: In design Arch

The Mediterranean architectural style in the Southern European region, especially in Italy, is a beautiful building and seems to suit the sub-tropical areas where it experiences four seasons in 1 year. The country of Italy, which is an island nation, has many beaches and seas. The land contour and ocean impacts the shape of Mediterranean buildings in Venice and Sicily (Italy). These buildings have different characteristics from the body of the buildings in the middle of the town. This form of Mediterranean architecture cannot separate from the influence of Islamic architecture. Every existing Mediterranean building adopts a curved shape that develops existing geometric forms in Islamic architecture.

Traditional Mediterranean

Mediterranean traditional houses, especially those in Italy, are works of vernacular architecture, where the places are residence designed by the local community. Natural factors such as geographical conditions, local culture affect the shape of the house and the rock material on which it is based. Buildings also influenced Mediterranean-style houses in West Asia.

• Classic Mediterranean houses in Frigiliana Village, Spain..
• Location: Southern Costa del Sol near the Sierras of Tejeda, Almijara, Spain. 
• Image credit: AFAR

In its development, this Mediterranean architecture will also be affected by Roman and Greek architectural forms. In the early 15th century, a building measurement rule was determined by one of the knights with all his weapons measured for the room’s distance. One of Armenopoulos’s Hexabiblos (middle 14th century) provisions states that projections such as balconies must allow 15 feet above the ground road. In the past, the Mediterranean community built houses where they lived very much adapted to the area’s natural conditions and geographical conditions. The Mediterranean community also maximized the natural potential by using natural stone and clay to be applied to walls. The traditional Mediterranean house has a simple appearance because it is only an element of geometric formations that are arranged in such a way as to form an order.

Greece Mediterranean

Greek Mediterranean houses make use of natural stone as the base material for the floor. White dominates the muscular walls, but not all homes have roofs made of clay. A distinctive feature of residential complexes in Greece is the touch of blue wood or metal windows, fences, and houses’ doors. The walls are very thick, as the building materials in Greece are massive but are great for weathering storms. The seaside breeze will not ravage your house.

When viewed from afar, a typical Greek Mediterranean house is square because the roof tends to be flat. On the outside, it does not include many plants and even manages to be agile. However, ceramics in Greece are known to be beautiful and rich in motifs. You will be surprised by the touch of Greek ceramics in the house’s interior because of its beautiful and lively motifs.

Mediterranean Interior Design Style

Mediterranean interior design offers so many aromas, tastes, and colours inside the house. Designing a Mediterranean house is like creating a residence for a relaxed yet friendly lifestyle. The Mediterranean style is reflected in the design that displays a relaxed atmosphere, the dominance of rustic or rustic furnishings, and distinctive textures on the walls, window, and stairs. The Mediterranean house is a design style that is rich in cheerful yet calming colours. Incorporate touches, accents and especially the natural atmosphere typical of European villages into the house.

• Greek ceramics give an interesting touch to every corner of the house.
• Location: Beijing
• Image credit: 优优 Interior Designers and Decorators

The Hallmark of the Mediterranean Architectural style

If you are interested in a Mediterranean concept dwelling, you need to know the characteristics of each element of the building that is formed. You need to pay attention to the aspects of the Mediterranean style building following your personality’s character. Both use Spanish, Middle Eastern, and Roman styles. But you have to know the Mediterranean house has some elements like:

• Roofs of buildings, Mediterranean style using sloping ceilings, can be two sides (saddle) or four sides. Then the wooden easel and roof tiles themselves are terracotta-colored. Walls, Many use bricks without being burned. It could also be from a natural rock which then the walls are in rough plaster.
• Dome can include this element to add to the uniqueness of your Mediterranean building. The dome is a roof that is half-spherical. Crowns can be quite aesthetic value.
• Doors and windows, rectangular but there is an arch on the upper side. Also, decorate the frame with a profile trim.
• Pillars, besides having a structural function to withstand the roof’s weight, posts can also be used as decorative ornaments. The basic shape is round, but you can decorate it with Spanish, Middle Eastern, and Roman-style carvings.

Know about the Victorian houses here.

• Written By
• Josephine Krisna Dewi Prawesti

Published by The Arch Space

View all posts by The Arch Space