posted 02-10-2010 01:40 PM
I was browsing house plans when I came across the "Darien" from Architect Dan Tyree. You can see the plan and a neat animated fly-through video of this modern day interpretation of a Scottish Highlands castle at : http://www.dantyree.com/plans/darien/ These plans can be modified to give you exactly what you're looking for. If I had the means to do it, I would replace Suites 3 & 4 with a 22' x 50' Great Hall (with exposed beams, of course). Just put a large fireplace in the front wall, match up the windows on the inner and outer walls, and you have a "great" room for entertaining. The loss of the two Suites can be offset by extending the stairwell to the attic and adding a Suite/Chamber up there.
The most interesting thing about this castle is its construction method. It is listed as "concrete slab on grade, 12" insulated concrete forms (ICF)." I have to do more research on ICF construction (I think I've seen it on This Old House), but this seems like a great alternative to the traditional method of constructing stone structures.
Anyway, I just thought that this design might appeal to readers of this forum.