10 Traditional Houses With Turrets

A turret is an architectural term derived from the Italian word torreta, meaning: little tower. It refers to the small tower that is projecting from a larger structure. While it might be found in the middle of a façade, it is generally attached to the corner. This architectural feature is not monopolized by a specific design era; it was used for military defense until it became merely decorative.
Turrets come in different shapes and heights. They can have either circular tops or pointed roofs, can begin at the ground level or project from another level, and can rise above the highest story or be equally heighted.

Following are 10 examples of traditional houses with turrets of different form and size.

Houses With Turrets

1.   Unique Turret Shape

The two-story turret adds an interesting element to the façade. The ground floor is integrated with windows that overlook the landscape and doors that open up to the patios. The second level is actually a balcony that is topped by a conical roof, supported by pillars. The patio roof virtually suspends from the middle of the turret making the latter of much beauty.

2.   Short Turret

This short turret adds an interesting extension to the main structure. The conical roof draws attention towards the greenery-surrounded turret.

3.   Window-Circulated Turret

Extending up in three stories height, the modernized turret has one stone-cladded level, and two window glazed stories. You can imagine the interesting space created inside the turret on the second and third stories.

4.   Main Entrance Turret

The main entrance of this traditional house is placed in a turret structure that ends with a conical roof. The actual turret structure begins on the first story level, but the shape is continued in the form of two columns that are actually the supports of the massive turret.

5.   Main Facade Corner Turret

The turret on this vintage house rises up on the corner of the main façade beside the entrance. It begins on the ground level and erects three-story levels , one level higher than the rest of the structure. The wood corbels circulate the roof base accentuating the tower’s grandeur.

6.   Highly Ornamented Cantilever Turret

The cantilever turret begins on the first story and rises one story above the three-story house. The extensive ornamentation together with the coastal colors give the house a far-eastern feeling.

7.   Wide Turret with Windows

A two-story, conical-roofed turret stands at the corner of two intersecting structures of this house. Notice the triangular shadows on the lower corners of the two windows on the first story and the dormer window. This shadow is due to the gap between the flat vertical plane of the window and the curvilinear walls of the turret. Due to the technological advances, this downside of curved walls is now non-existent.

8.   The Panoramic Interior View

This photo reflects the interior space created by a turret. The many windows in the cylindrical area allow a unique panoramic view of the natural surrounding. One would definitely love to sit in this space!

9.   Four-story Turret’s Conical Roof

At the corner of the primary façade, a turret extends up three stories. The extensive white ornamentation give the unique turret a decorative touch that turns the turret into the focal point.  I, personally, do not prefer the marrying of conical roofs and Greek triangular pediments. Eclectic styles are very charming but their elements should be coherent.

10.   Farmhouse Entrance Turret

Again the turret is the main entrance in this traditional farmhouse. Deep-set windows and doors remind us with the strategic military use of turrets.

The integration of turrets in the architecture of traditional houses adds a magical fairytale element. You might need to inquire about window treatments before going for cylindrical forms. But in the current era of technological and engineering development, nothing is difficult; maybe a bit more expensive, but definitely doable.