L35 Interview

“We wanted to create an atmosphere that is quite different to anywhere else”.   

The architects behind Village Verde explain the exclusive village concept

Laid out over the cork-oak forested hills of Andalucía, new development Village Verde is rapidly taking shape, as Phase One is set to be completed in Spring 2023, with construction beginning on Phase Two in November 2022.

The location is peerless – set within the exclusive residential area of La Reserva de Sotogrande, with the beautiful beaches of Cadiz province just minutes away, it is a tranquil haven for those wishing to get away from it all without sacrificing comfort and contemporary amenities.

In creating the concept of Village Verde, the design excellence of the award-winning international architectural firm L35 was retained, the globally renowned studio that is one of the lead architects of the new Estadio Bernabéu, amongst many others.

Recently, CEO and Partner Architect Tristán López-Chicheri and Borja Fernández del Vallado, Project Leader Architect from L35, discussed the Village Verde concept and how they set about achieving their ambitions for the development. “Village Verde was born as a project where country living would be transformed into community living”, affirms Borja.

Their initial challenge was in creating the community in an area of natural beauty in a centuries-old cork-oak forest – not only building around them but incorporating them into the design of the village. Their solution was not to see the trees as an obstacle, but rather to integrate them into the design. Where necessary, they were moved to another location, but in the main, the village has grown around them, not the other way around. As Tristán states, they wanted to “generate an atmosphere quite different to anywhere else.”

The sense of ‘community’ was especially important in the design of the project, as the team wanted to imbue Village Verde with a neighbourhood spirit. “We have tried to interpret the old values with the modern language of architecture,” explains Tristán with an open smile.

This goes hand-in-hand with the design of the apartments themselves. Borja notes that the outside spaces of the apartments are “almost as large as the interiors, to take advantage of the wonderful climate of Sotogrande and almost year-round sunshine”, pointing out that the apartments can capitalise on the fabulous light, bringing it into the apartments, but also facilitate an indoor/outdoor lifestyle thanks to the capacious terraces.

The theme of outdoors living is reflected in the communal spaces, where cars park in the garage on arrival and are not needed further. “The cars won’t interfere with life in the community”, confirms Tristán.

Finally, one factor that was particularly important to the architects was the issuance of BREEAM certification. An endorsement of the sustainability of the project, all elements such as insulation, soundproofing and all the rigorous elements that the issuing body requires. “It also meets with the highest qualifications in terms of insulation, comfort and quality of life,” states Borja.

It is clear that the architects feel that the original concept of Village Verde, to create a sustainable community with a true neighbourhood spirit, is well on the way to being accomplished.

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