SOTOGRANDE, SOUTHERN SPAIN
This villa, situated in the Kings and Queens area of Sotogrande Bajo was a traditional Andalusian villa (some 50 years old!) made up of essentially one floor with a single master bedroom on the upper floor. The brief from the new owners was to create a contemporary villa, with open plan spaces and lots of light to take advantage of its Southern aspect, but at the same time to retain some of the influences of the Andalusian architecture which is embodied in its original form.
The project involved a major remodelling of the existing property, adding several en-suite bedrooms to the upper floor and extending the master suite to create a more spacious and illuminous bedroom.
The pool area was completely redeveloped creating a generous barbecue and entertaining area at one end of the pool, with a mirror image, shaded seating area at the opposite end.
Landscaping was completely redesigned, including the new driveway and entrance area. The existing garages were demolished and a new larger double garage was built at the rear of the property at the far end of the plot.
Whereas the conventional wisdom would have been to demolish the existing property in its entirety, we felt there was much value to be salvaged from the existing structure and foundations which had been solidly built in their day.
An open galleried, two story entrance hall provides a dramatic entrance to the house and provides views directly through the living room to the pool area and the landscaped garden beyond.
Generous living and dining areas open out onto a large terraced area leading onto the pool.
The new owners enjoy entertaining, so it was imperative that the indoor and outdoor spaces blended seamlessly together, and there was free flow between the living, dining, kitchen and family areas.
The end result is a property that has been lovingly restored and modernised, and has become a much loved family home for the new owners and their children and grandchildren.
