Villa Fortuna
THE SHAPE OF MODERN LUXURY
IN THE MARCH EDITION WE REPORTED ON THIS NEW CONCEPT IN MODERN LUXURY, THE PRODUCT OF A FAR-REACHING AND EXCITING COLLABORATION BETWEEN LEADING SPECIALISTS IN TOP-END HOMES. WE FIND OURSELVES AT A TIME WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND NEW TASTES ARE REDEFINING LUXURY, AND BY HARNESSING THEIR SKILLS THE CREATORS OF VILLA FORTUNA ARE PRODUCING A BLUEPRINT FOR THE LUXURY HOME OF THE 21ST CENTURY.
Photo by David Toms
As we’ve settled into the new millennium ongoing technological and social developments have brought with them a new wave of ideas and possibilities. “Modern” is back in vogue, with architecture drawing on advanced electronic devices and construction methods as well as inspiration from the pioneering work of earlier modern styles to produce a generation of homes that are in tune with our rapidly-evolving world.
These are exciting times for designers and engineers, for the means at their disposal have greatly increased, making it possible to design highly bespoke solutions that fit the needs and lifestyles of their clients. And thus the Smart Home, already more than half a century old as a concept, is finally coming into its own and beginning to realise its true potential.
Those with the means to do so, naturally want the avant-garde styling of a new era combined with the comfort of being able to control all the home’s functions – both traditional and novel – at the touch of a button. As experts in all the fields required to produce a truly modern home of distinction, the architects, engineers, technicians, constructors, surveyors, designers and decorators that are developing Villa Fortuna are taking today’s concept of luxury living to a new level.
A Truly Smart Home
The state-of-the-art villa taking shape in one of the finest spots in La Zagaleta, from where it takes in a broad expanse of hillside, coastline and sea, involves the complete metamorphosis of a home built here in the 1970s. The evolution of what we consider to be luxury, and above all modern comfort, is clearly showcased in this project, for what was once a luxurious villa no longer matches up to the latest requirements. As a result, a whole new infrastructure is being created that is not only up to the latest standards, but surpasses them.
“When the new home is finished, only the location will really be the same,” says Udo of Atlas Build, who has worked closely with architect Carlos Lamas to ensure that the finished product is every bit as impressive as the original designs promised.
Creating such a brand new home from an existing one is not an easy task, all the more so when working with a team that rejects any compromises to quality and concept in its desire to make this a landmark home. Given this, it is perhaps not surprising to find that Villa Fortuna contains many highly innovative features that are unique in this region. “We have aimed to surpass the normal standards,” says Udo, and it shows in the use of reinforced steel ceiling beams that add load-bearing capacity to the structure and take away the need for columns. This, in turn, creates clean open spaces in areas such as the living room, where natural light floods into the house from a glass ledge connecting the covered terrace to the main structure. One floor up, it forms a glass floor section of the main bedroom suite’s large private terrace.
What’s Under the Skin
If such structural design elements form the highly visible innovations of this villa, the advanced electronics under its skin are what make it such an accomplished smart home. Victor Periañez and his team at Illusion have designed and produced a bespoke management system that controls lighting, heating/cooling, audio-visual systems, windows, blinds, fingerprint recognition access and security systems, and even pools and fountains from one centralised position.
What’s more, the system is flexible, enabling you to manage things either centrally or in situ. This means that you can use localised control tools such as the in-wall iPad docking station in the hallway, keypads in the main bedroom suite, waterproof touch panels in the master bathroom and indoor pool, the table iPad docking station in the living room, or simply from an iPhone or computer.
The central management system that operates so many different functions in the home has been designed not just to make it easy to use, but also highly visual and intuitive. Any changes to light settings, ambient moods, access codes to different parts of the house or security settings that can, for instance, automatically simulate a “normal” presence in the house when you are not in can all be made easily and without having to call in a technician.
The home’s air-conditioning and under-floor heating can be manipulated when you’re in the respective areas, but also from a central location of your choice, using feedback on the actual temperatures of each room to adjust new settings.
You will also be able to watch television, movies or the security camera feed from the flat screen sets in the living and bedroom areas, the magic mirror TV in the master bathroom or the projection systems in the indoor pool or master suite terrace.
Dressed to Kill
The integrated sound system, meanwhile, connects the entire villa, making it possible to listen to the same or different music in any combination of rooms and areas you choose. Together with a lighting system that employs a mix of LED, fluorescent and decorative lights to create endless combinations of functional and ambient lighting, Villa Fortuna is set up to be a stylish and sophisticated modern house, a welcoming and comfortable family home, a great place to relax or an impressive venue in which to entertain.
Dressed to kill, the home is clothed in the finest materials, from noble woods, blinds built into shatterproof glass and brushed steel to 120x60mm limestone floor tiles by Gigacer of Italy, a state-of-the-art kitchen by Gunni & Trentino and sumptuously opulent bathrooms by Qos. The latter also feature intricate mosaic tiles by Bisasa, all hand-picked by Gonzalo Moreno and his design team at Gunni & Trentino to give shape to a new vision of luxury living.
Contacts:
Atlas Group: Tel. 951 272 140; www.atlasbuild.eu /www.atlaspool.eu. Illusion: Tel. 952 781 669; www.e-illusion.es.
Gunni & Trentino: Tel. 951 968 771; www.gunnitrentino.es. Román Clavero: Tel. 952 894 149; www.romanclavero.com. Carlos Lamas: Tel. 609 572 275; www.carloslamas.com
By Michel Cruz
