Castle Expert Breaks Down Hogwarts Architectural Details From Harry Potter | Architectural Digest

Lumos! Today on AD, historian Meredith Cohen returns to illuminate the fascinating architectural details found at Hogwarts Castle in the Harry Potter films. Discover the real-world influences that filmmakers incorporated into the eclectic design of the world’s most famous school of witchcraft and wizardry.
Director: Marissa High
Director of Photography: Matt Krueger
Editor: Alex Mechanik
Host: Meredith Cohen
Producer: Alyssa Marino
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Landrie Hatcher
Production Manager: Andressa Pelachi
Production Coordinator: Carol Wachockier
Casting Producer: Nicole Ford
Production & EQ Coordinator: Peter Brunette
Camera Operator: Shay Eberle-Gunst
Audio: Will Miller
Production Assistant: Ariel Labasan
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch, Nick Ascanio
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
--
0:00 Introduction
0:15 Exterior
4:06 The Great Hall
7:06 Gryffindor Common Room
10:27 Dance Hall Classroom
12:52 McGonagall’s Classroom
14:54 Hallways
16:23 Courtyard
18:55 Conclusion
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[@darrylmorrison6127]

I was thrown by the way she pronounced Hogwarts.

[@Candy.A.]

THIS!

[@bamberoo90]

Hargwarts

[@ceezee57]

Americans 💀

[@dalh4914]

Hog-WARTS. I couldn’t pay attention

[@Himesua]

Nope. Just her. I don't know a single other American that pronounces it this way.

[@PrefabTinyModularHomes]

The amazing thing about Hogwarts is how warm and homey it is. Like the best boarding school that I never got to go to!

[@Simon-ho6ly]

Being made to appear as a warm, honey colour stone in many areas helps with that but castles were actually typically pretty warm, thick stone walls, heavy drapes and fabrics

[@futeramonfuturamet4830]

And the boarding school that the laws of physics say can't exist

[@ashleygibson2342]

@@robertgronewold3326Wizards be like “Physics? I don’t think I know him. Who’s his mum?”

[@mrmr4622]

I'm suprised they've never built a version of it that would be a hotel, I bet it would mega popular

[@aegyobot1923]

@@mrmr4622 try building a castle that big

[@beaslewee]

As an architect AND a Harry Potter fan this is really really cool. It’s amazing how they put in so many historic details, love it! Also I love that you have trace paper and a cutter board in front of you - reminds me of architecture school!

[@AnushkaBhattacharya710]

no wonder we all wanted to go there...its the perfect amalgamation of centuries of amazing architecture. It looks medieval yet modern enough to feel not too disconnected.

[@gemstonesparkle7915]

Please, continue with this film scenery series! Would love one about Downtown Abbey.

[@xxkillerdogxx]

I believe its from the Alnwick Castle

[@Startupsandsushi]

Or diagonal alley

[@geraldriviera9791]

*Downton abbey

[@xxkillerdogxx]

@@geraldriviera9791 this Abbey went Down town.

[@005katt]

@@xxkillerdogxx The outside of Downton Abbey is filmed at Highclere Castle which was mostly built in the 19th Century but designed to look a lot older (I live down the road from it and have worked in the castle).

[@danielfencl3829]

Having her back and doing the Hogwarts castle from Hogwarts Legacy would be cool. There are many more details and features to explore the grounds and the interior of the castle.

[@shaunm6383]

Based on the different styles of architecture being represented in different parts of hogwarts, I would like to theorize that different parts of Hogwarts were built at different periods of time. They added on to the building as time went on.

[@Carty239]

Not only things added as it expands over time, but with a load of wizards around, it's highly likely a lot of stuff got blown up, transmuted, charmed away or otherwise damaged and rebuilt over those centuries!

[@Mike_294]

@@Carty239 going off of that, it's possible then that the many secret passages in Hogwarts were never meant to be secret, but just regular hallways from previous sections of the castle that were destroyed, only for the newer additions to have no use for the passages and so were awkwardly built around them before sealing the passages off.

[@229est]

Dude that's exactly what she said why would you repeat that as if it's your novel discovery

[@jaybird0312]

Hogwarts has an ever changing floor plan. It’s a security measure. This was Rowena Ravenclaw’s idea, one of the 4 founders. It’s always been the size it is but minor changes happen on occasion.

[@Lets.Go.Brandon]

Interesting. I think, based on the different styles of architecture being represented in different parts of Hogwarts, I would like to theorize that it is a work of fiction and doesn't have to have an explanation... lol. It's a magical castle made by wizards in a fictional fantasy world, we can't apply our logic to how it ended up this way and pretend it makes sense... :)

[@RodrigoColimodio]

As an architect and HP fan, I love Hogwarts not only as set of the story, but the mix of substyles of medieval and gothic architecture. That variables help to create the unique but magical atmosphere of hogwarts. Also the difference scales and proportions in comparison with real castles make Hogwarts that fantastical aspect where you feel exist, however, is a fantasy place.

[@bowieboet1321]

Someone actually requested this video on the review of Disney castles, I’m glad they made this video

[@amylacava5479]

Almost 20 minutes of brilliant, technical, architectural commentary. *the comments* Fixates on her pronunciation of Hogwarts.

[@qhough7966]

Sounds like she’s from Boston. She totally doesn’t pronounce Alnwick Castle correctly either 😊

[@cleverusername9369]

@@qhough7966 she's from California. Teaches at UCLA.

[@wyster14]

So interestingly enough, hogwarts castle varies greatly in visual style between movies, partly in due to different filming locations being used. However, the biggest alterations occur between the second the third movie, with the general style of the school going from more medieval to gothic. It is also worth noting that the tower referred to as the keep is the great staircase tower, and the fortress is the main dormitories, as well as the corner tower shown is actually gryffendor tower. Either way, it’s rather interesting because entire towers appear and disappear between movies, such as the astronomy tower only appearing in the sixth and eighth, and the great hall vestibule disappearing in the third and being replaced with the viaduct courtyard in the fourth, and the courtyard enlarging for the eighth, as well as the viaduct changing to connect to a different landmass instead of the viaduct entrance in the school.

[@maxwelldulin]

Wysteria? Do you play wiz O:

[@tonkeasley6210]

Woowww! This one was incredibly amazing! Being a Harry Potter fan, I can't tell how thrilled I am to see Hogwarts architectural designs. It's so breathtaking, and once I saw this one popping on my phn, I was like, Yayyyy finally they made a video on Hogwarts!

[@Lonewolf-bv5lx]

Yeah for sure, Hogwarts has got one of the most magnificent designs.

[@altamimi2027]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2Wme2iKmct4ias

[@amelieflorelle]

Omg, the video we didn’t know we needed but definitely do!! 😍🤩 love this kind of architecture p.s. literally paused listening to the goblet of fire audiobook to watch this when I got the notification lol

[@LLLLLLLLLucas]

I'm impressed that she knew correctly which English cathdrals featured in the film. Durham cathedral cloisters and its wider exterior were also used.

[@vladpopescu7776]

Almost as if she's a professional

[@nanszoo3092]

I recently watched all the Harry Potter movies for the third or fourth time after listening to the audiobooks for the third time and I kept stopping the films to look up the locations on IMDb and then continue online looking up more information about the locations. I learned a bit more about architecture and a lot more about English history along with how these places are being used currently. This 20-minute video brought together all my former inquiries, my love of the series, and the one Art Appreciation class I took 30 years ago (one of my favorite classes that I never would have taken in college if it hadn't been required.) Love this channel and looking forward to learning more.

[@orewaddl2463]

We need a part 2 😍

[@theblackdaria_]

Part 2 should include 12 Grimmauld Place, Privet Drive, The Weasley's home, and the Ministry of Magic

[@nanszoo3092]

@@theblackdaria_ Seriously. I kept trying to wrap my mind around Grimmauld Place the last time I watched the movies a few months ago.

[@maggyxchuu]

If I could go back in time and change my major , art history would legit be one of the contenders.

[@qwertyboo]

you also learn art and design history in architecture and Interior design majors

[@nanszoo3092]

I had to take Art Appreciation for an education degree program - I still use what I learned 30 years later and definitely see things in ways that I wouldn't if I hadn't taken the class.

[@Leto85]

That's what I love about castles; how one can evolve over the centuries with different designs and decorations attached to it. Each of that have their own story behind them and this video here is a great example of that.

[@elainec6817]

Love this series! Would love to see ADs take on the architecture and interiors in The Grand Hotel Budapest, The Shining or Black Panther.

[@baystated]

If only they had provided Meredith with a full 3d model of the school, showing the placement of the keep and fortress, the bridged canyon, and the later expansions that match the layout of Durham Cathedral.

[@dylanmosley6237]

I lovedddd drawing pictures of Hogwarts as a kid. It’s fun to see all these old familiar towers and walls explored from a more masterful perspective.

[@PLuMUK54]

Some very accurate architectural information, but a lack of understanding of other features. The tapestries for example were, as they aged, often treated in ways that are, in some ways, quite shocking. Paintings were regularly hung in front of tapestries, sometimes to disguise damaged areas. They were often cut up to fit into a specific room, including making holes for doorways. They were often randomly hung, with parts from two or more tapestries sewn together to fill a space. Excess pieces might be stored, or even converted into cushions. On the channel Mapperton Live, Julie Montagu wants to repair some tapestries, and has found several pieces dumped in a drawer. The oriel window was in use in the Norman period, and it's name was derived from the Anglo-Norman word "oriell", so it was in keeping with the rest of the structure that made up the great hall.

[@kokohale]

I wish they featured the back courtyard that was so prominent in Prisoner of Azkaban. It was such a dreamy, witchy, whimsical place that looked like the indoor elements (arches, columns, etc.) were left outside with the plants 😍

[@sazennonumber]

Oh, joy!!!! Thank you so much for this! Love it 🧡and I've learnt so many new words. The fact that these monumental buildings were passed on to host schools tells you just how much they admired education and knowledge.

[@IOANNA333]

I love anything HP. But this is divine.Thank you Architectural Digest!💖

[@danjustthinking1188]

Really wonderful content and I appreciate your gracious consideration for the transitional forms developed for context and fancy (and quite possibly serendipity 😉).

[@tomatodile]

Straight up magic. Thank you Architectural Digest once again

[@chemokiki]

I loved this and learned SO much about what certain architectural details and constructions were called. I thank you very much! Very enjoyable too!

[@annaread3558]

Love this! Visited Gloucester Cathedral this summer. Breathtaking!

[@writerspen010]

She was spot on with the Oxford references, since they filmed quite a bit there :D Really cool video!

[@eveningstar1]

yes! love this, thank you AD +Meredith Cohen.

[@marryamakbaar3014]

Chef's Kiss 🤩🤗,guys good job on these videos 👏🏼👏🏼

[@j-ml.3237]

Awesome series and so many interesting insights by an insightful guide. I would love to get lost visiting more fictional buildings and hidden treasures around the world to discover their genealogy and how a monument's architecture evolves and mutates over time. Looking forward to the next installments!

[@RWM07001]

Please continue this series. It's brillant.

[@thetiniestpirate]

Grew up near Alnwick Castle and it's still cool to see those parts in the films.

[@timothyeldridge6822]

I love this video! Thank you for sharing!

[@robertospinoza141]

Lovely explanation !! 👏👏

[@LankyScotty]

that was a fantastic watch!

[@maxm7103]

Absolutely loved this video, and the level of information you put into it. I do have one note - I remember visiting the Hunedoara Castle in Romania time ago, before Harry Potter was filmed - and I always felt that castle was a part of inspiration for Hogwarts as well. Looking forward for more videos like this! Thank you for the hard work!

[@CaroV6]

Same, I was in Hunedoara/Corvin Castle and years later my boyfriend showed me the Harry Potter Castle and I said "it is a copy of Hunedoara"!!

[@DoreMiFaSolLSi]

Thank you very much! Is so much information and interesting ❤❤❤

[@tr1667]

yes!!!I've been waiting

[@xiaoyedu6168]

The way she says HogWARTs is killing me

[@shoshanaudelson4481]

so glad I came across this!

[@VeeLondon1449]

This is just lush. Love this.

[@alixedent7127]

There is a tiny patch of wall in the 'how-its-made section of the HP studio tour at Leavesden that is papered with the floorplan drawings. As a 2d CAD technician I would have loved a set even if NTS! Thanks so much for the video. Greetings from across the Pond.

[@annaakesson2413]

Ah! This was so much fun.🥰

[@pphedup]

16:51 This was used in Downton Abbey also.

[@newyorkhouse]

This is amazing! I have no idea why I always thought everything was made of built sets to film in, but now that I think about it that would’ve been incredibly arduous work and very expensive.

[@vaderladyl]

It is actually a mix of real buildings, built sets and lot of CGI.

[@EngineersLife]

Amazing video ❤

[@marryamakbaar3014]

Keep them ,coming 🙌🏼

[@2igotmoney]

These are the best videos, more more more

[@killjeffrey]

Great video!

[@pipkin3]

Everyone: I can't get over how she pronounces Hogwarts . Me : I can't get over how she pronounces Gloucester!

[@pphedup]

Yes. Gloss-ter!!!

[@DefenestrateYourself]

Imagine fixating on unimportant details and overlooking the actual message and value of the educational context. Bless your little heart

[@vaderladyl]

@@DefenestrateYourself I know right! This explains a lot of what is going on in this world today. All superficial.

[@yuliatarasiuk9531]

What an amazing video!

[@thetiniestpirate]

I remember my ex taking me around Christchurch when we visited, he was at school there while this was being filmed and it's mad how much of the school they just straight transplanted into the film. Super cool buildings, definitely get that magical vibe.

[@marvinraphaelmonfort8289]

ooh learned a few things about tapestries. thankyou and coats of arms in the structure is kinda chic, instead of seeing full names in some schools we need to know about the other houses's greatrooms please

[@kathleenweinberg6442]

There are some big lavishing buildings

[@anitawaris3850]

Very informative

[@womanofstill]

Fascinating!!!!

[@jedi_wizard]

it would be great if you could also do an analysis of Hogwarts architecture shown in the back covers of the british book versions of the chamber of secrets, goblet of fire and deathly hallows

[@aleksoctop]

Finally a walkthrough of Hagwaerts architecture!

[@arieachmad5797]

love the vibes.. harry potter is legend

[@tissotable]

Really cool, AD! Big Harry Potter fan here. But like you’ve pointed out the tower is a donjon and not a belfry which means it’s designed for permanent living and that’s why it has windows, is bigger and so on.

[@eclaireurspatial]

OMG they did it!!

[@yumnaamjad2637]

A lot of detail went into making of hogwards❤️

[@vaderladyl]

Gorgeous! Wish I could have gone to a school like Hogwarts.

[@hoseinzaremohazabie1827]

love it.

[@ComingSoonOnVHS]

This video would be great with the actual production designers talking about their actual inspirations for the set pieces

[@lukeyznaga7627]

I am actually enjoying this. I have seen 10 videos of Architectural Digest. Unfortunately, at 60 years old, its not like a will get a job doing something with architecture or building. But at least I can feel myself learn things about the basics of ARchitectural basics, philosphy and elements.

[@teresalyn1678]

I really wanted to hear about the moving staircases

[@ThisIsTeeKay]

I feel like there is a bit more of Hogwarts to explore. The courtyard from Goblet of Fire?

[@gemstonesparkle7915]

A lot more! The statues on the battle scene, the long wooden bridge, Dumbledore's eagle staircase, plus the many scenarios off the castle, like the Malfoy dad's mansion, that one in London, Harry's uncle suburban house, just to name a few.

[@Sebbir]

There’s so much more. They could fill a full series with everything that’s left

[@sly_lock]

Would love to see an opinion of the castle based on the Legacy game. The dungeons and towers being much more accessible.

[@allliek008]

02:20 not unusual but magical ✨️ 😂

[@emjay2d]

absolutely fasinating.

[@blackroselilithashe2393]

In the enhanced edition on Apple Books, the illustrations of the Great Hall look just like Christ Church Hall - the portraits, window placement, and tables are uncannily similar

[@kandipiatkowski8589]

The Great Hall was also inspired by the dining hall at Trinity College in Dublin.....at least that is what the tour guide said....lol

[@sunfvalley]

once the new harry potter game comes out i hope they review the game version of hogwarts too!! it'll enable more detailed review

[@Bughotwheels]

Awesome

[@WinstonSmithGPT]

The room at 7:34 is at Yale.

[@omgIoIwtf]

A lot would seem “unusual” to a muggle.

[@tSp289]

Apparently when they shot the second film in Gloucester cathedral, they didn't tell anyone they were going to flood the corridor, and the water ended up removing the patina of 700 years of continuous occupation. (The cathedral is nearly 1000 years old but that part is C14th

[@yoroshiku137]

Amazing! I wonder what her take on the castle iteration of Hogwarts Legacy would be. It’s a whole motley of different styles.

[@JoannaEve]

The great hall was filmed at Oxford university great hall. Lovely university

[@niko46067]

In my Hermione Granger voice: It's Annick, not Alnwick! The L and W are silent :)

[@pphedup]

She totally has a pronunciation problem!

[@kassdupuis3145]

Your section on the great hall is inaccurate. Take a look at the 4 Inns of court for the school of law. The great hall is largely reminiscent of Middle Temple and Lincolns Inn specifically. Down to the window, raised professorial platform, throne, coloring, double barrel ceiling. Middle Temple , Lincolns Inn Blue, Gray's Inn, and Inner Temple.

[@jackpowell9276]

The craziest thing about hogwarts being a magical castle that doesn't need to conform to physics and reality is that the interiors we see are largely real places!

[@geecooper3377]

The pronunciation of Alnwick killed me (it's Annick)

[@cjenkins8785]

How about reviewing Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World in Florida, USA.

[@jasonpoggers2658]

This is my prof at ucla lol

[@goncalobelas3705]

6:30 When she said that the most unrealistic thing were the candles when in fact there was a bunch of lit candles hanging from fishing lines and burning said fishing lines falling onto the actors during takes NAILS

[@beta-draconis]

great video! would love to see an in-depth update now that the game hogwarts legacy is out and gives total access to explore the castle grounds and interiors.

[@ReganAtSea]

it's "gloster" and "annick" for gloucester and alnwick

[@COASTER_CHASER_1]

I'd like to see her do GAME OF THRONES

[@freedomcamemyway]

Do Game of Thrones please!!!

[@dintorodintoro-cw1yq]

Yes

[@Emilseattlebroker]

oh mah gawd, my wife is going to nerd out to this video lmao

[@mightypen1]

No mention that the exterior of Hogwarts is all Scots Baronial in style! Alnwick is pronounced like "Anick" btw :)

[@borafalaringlesbrasil]

Delightful.

[@Willzd]

Great info...! The way she pronounces Hogwarts is really jarring though 😅

[@user-cv9xo7ti7b]

We need Meredith again!