Video-interview with Benjumea Architects about the construction of a NEW LUXURY VILLA in Sotogrande, Spain.
It’s spring 2021, the sun is always shining strong in Sotogrande… and new projects are thriving along with spring! On the Costa side, a number of properties are being demolished and new houses are being built in their place.
So, today Charles Gubbins meets with Antonio Benjumea to chat about this IMPRESSIVE NEW LUXURY VILLA designed by Benjumea Architects and built during the COVID-19 pandemic… Discover how this project was born and how they overcame the pandemic to finish this villa on due time…
Put your helmets on and let’s start the tour!?
1. Introduction to Benjumea Architects, Sotogrande:
In 1973 Manuel Benjumea finished Technical Architecture and began to work on the construction of the 301 houses of San Felipe in La Línea and in 1978 began the construction of the Beach Club and sports courts of the Octagon along with blocks 1 and the urbanization of the Apartments Puerto Sotogrande beach. Later, in 2005 I finished Architecture and I came to Sotogrande to work as an Architect. The list of buildings and homes that we have made is quite extensive, the truth is that I could not give you an exact number right now.
For many years we have made traditional Andalusian villas but currently the style that we are working the most is a contemporary style with a certain influence from both rationalism and Andalusian tradition.
2) How was this Sotogrande villa project born?
Noll Sotogrande Real Estate put us in touch with the original owner of the property. After a round of consultation with several well-known architects in the region, he awarded us the project for the proposal that we presented to Benjumea Arquitectos.
After laying the foundation for the general design of this villa in Sotogrande, we created the project and received the building permit. This process took about 6 months.
In the meantime, Noll Sotogrande sold the property, including the project and license, to the final owner of the property.
The big advantage of selling a plot of land with a completed project and license over selling a plot of land alone is the time it saves. In this case it was about 6 months of paperwork, and with the license granted the buyer is guaranteed that he can build the house according to the created project and can start the next day without any changes if he wants.
However, before starting to build, we modified the project to adapt it to the needs of the new owner and thus be able to make the house they wanted.
3) Once the new project is approved, what’s next?
“We are presenting the modified project to the city council for inclusion in the work file, so we are updating the license with the changes requested by the customer.
In the meantime, we began demolishing the existing home at the same time that construction bids for the villa were being completed. So no time was lost when we awarded the contract to the construction company Bonifacio Solís while we received the updated license with the new client’s changes.
4) Beginning of construction itself.
Shortly after starting the work, the corona virus pandemic began, surprisingly and thanks to the great work of the construction company, the delays are minimal and the work will be executed according to the adjustments made in the planning.
Both in the project and in the construction, the energy efficiency of the house and respect for the environment, which is one of the fundamental pillars of our architecture, have been taken care of.
5) End of work, preparation of the Sotogrande villa to hand over the key / move in.
A team was put together for the construction of the house, which consists of architects, construction companies, landscapers, interior designers, managers, lawyers, plumbers … This joint work ensures the punctual completion and handover of the villa to the customer, who now only has to take care of moving in.
6) FUN FACTS! About this newly built luxurious villa in Sotogrande…
In this house I am especially content with how good the living room window looks, which with its 10 meters wide by 3,50 m high is the largest we have made, as well as the entrance door with its 4, 50 m high. Both are the biggest I have done so far.
The villa has been built with the highest standards in the Sotogrande market: ventilated roof of natural slate, SATE insulation in facades, minimalist carpentry with a hidden profile of 3.50 m high with motorisation, glass with solar protection, entrance door in 4.50 m high Iroko wood, 1.20 x 1.20 m selected premium cream marble flooring, oak wood interior ceilings, indirect LED lighting, state-of-the-art home automation control and security….
