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We are constantly bombarded by freshly-coined terms that define emerging trends and concepts, yet we are often ignorant of their real meaning. A “Designer villa” might sound sophisticated, but what does it actually mean? We talk to the development company, BRIGHT, to find out.

Article by Anastasia Sukhanov. Images of Vista Lago Residences, courtesy of BRIGHT.

Design-led developments are at the core of BRIGHT’s philosophy, aimed at creating free-flowing living spaces that improve one’s quality of life. So, what elevates a normal luxury villa into a “designer villa”? We talk to BRIGHT’s Creative Director, Jason Harris, to find out more.

Design starts on the inside

The concept is holistic, and all design starts with the interiors. Function and furniture come first, it’s never an afterthought. Because of state-of-the-art space optimization, designer villas feel bigger than huge mansions: they have no wasted space in hallways and corridors, and no walls where one would normally expect to find them. Moreover, this makes it possible for them to be homes with open lines of communication between each space. This means that a family can enjoy being together while being involved in different activities, and the idea of a quiet home office that doesn’t feel completely detached from the rest of the house is totally possible.

Plot positioning and views

A designer villa is not just plopped onto any available plot of land. Its creators carefully consider plot elevation and orientation, general location, seasonal changes in natural lighting and lifestyle nuances of the local area. In a development that consists of several designer villas, the generosity of the individual plots and the carefully thought-out orientation of each villa should ensure complete privacy. All rooms in a designer villa are designed to take advantage of the available views.

Where possible, a kitchen would enjoy the morning sun and the stove will be facing the view, and windows would be placed strategically to allow the light to flood into each space during different times of the day. The bedrooms are given just as much attention. With glass walls that provide more than 180-degree views, integrated office areas and sitting zones, they are masterfully converted from traditional resting spaces into self-contained luxury suites, where you wouldn’t mind spending the entire day!

Furniture designed for the space

Creators of a designer villa never compromise on style, size, or materials. The choice of furniture in a designer villa is a perfect mix of top designer pieces and custom-made elements that fit the exact requirements of the property. In BRIGHT villas, for example, UDesign create the bespoke furniture–like state-of-the-art dining tables, stylish wine cabinets and gorgeous kitchens with exceptional functionality. Top design brands complement this custom designed furniture with carefully selected pieces from Tom Dixon, Viccarbe, Henge, Brabbu, Edra, Catellan Italia, Minotii and many others.

Art plays a big role

Subtle but irreplaceable, art is found everywhere –in the form of sculptures, wallpaper,lighting, and even the choice of plants and their pots. While pieces of art can often be seen as purely decorative, in a designer villa they are used to bring together adjacent spaces, introduce a focal point, inspire reflection, or to invite one to take a stroll around the property.

Little big details

Although the overall design concept is of prime importance, details, however small they might be, are just as vital in a designer villa. Like showers with built-in spaces for your bathroom goodies, kitchen surfaces that charge your iPhone, unnoticeable but ample storage spaces, glass walls that slide away at the touch of a button, and many other seemingly minor design elements that, in fact, change your life.

Bringing the outside inside

Buying a house is often a lifestyle choice, not just a location one. Whether it’s your holiday home or a permanent base, a designer villa is built taking into account the characteristics of the local climate, maximizing the opportunity of leading an outdoor lifestyle if the home happens to be somewhere warm. It makes extensive use of windows that slide away and favours open plan solutions. Whether it’s a quiet reading spot where you can dip your feet in the pool, a sitting area where one can observe the spectacular views as well as watch TV, a designer villa creates balance and harmony between the villa and its surroundings –and you often don’t have to choose between being inside or outside.

Vista Lago Residences

BRIGHT is currently developing the award-winning Vista Lago Residences, a community of 18 luxury, sustainable villas overlooking Marbella and the most talked about project in Marbella at the moment.Vista Lago is a design-led development, with visually stunning environments created to improve one’s quality of life. In that sense, a designer villa by BRIGHT is much more than luxury finishes, top brands and impressive architectural solutions.

It is a space created to live slowly and tastefully, even if you can only do that for a few minutes each day. A designer villa will help you make most of those minutes, whether it’s with a stunning sunset view at the end of a long work day, or with a freshly picked orange from your organic kitchen garden. As the CEO of BRIGHT, Michael Rodziewicz, says, “A home is a lot more than bricks and cement. It’s an experience.”

For information on BRIGHT’s latest project, Vista Lago Residences, visit their website vistalago.es or talk directly with their Sales Team on +34 682 10 50 02 or email info@by-bright.com

Buyers Testimony: Vista Lago Residences

With its world-class design Vista Lago Residences has become the most talked about new development in Marbella, winning the top prizes at the International Property Awards for World’s Best Residential Development and Best Architecture in Europe. As another testament to its success, over 60% of the villas have already been reserved in just over a year.

So what makes Vista Lago different from other developments? We talk to one of the buyers at Vista Lago to find out why they chose to purchase there.

Tell us about where you came from?

We are originally from the Philippine Islands. We migrated to the United States in the mid 1980’s and are presently residing in the suburbs of Chicago.

What are the key attractions of the Marbella area for you?

Lots of sunshine, beautiful city, happy and friendly people, great location, the Mediterranean Sea, coastal mountains, multi-cultural, diversity, cultural wealth, many places to see within one or two hours car ride, and more beautiful cities to reach in a short airplane ride. And of course the food, and collection of beautiful restaurants.

Which area of the Costa del Sol is your favourite and why?

We like the hills and mountains at the back of Marbella. From La Zagaleta, El Madroñal, Ronda road, La Quinta, Real de La Quinta, Nagüeles and Sierra Blanca. We fell in love with the wide panoramic views of the Mediterranean, La Concha mountain and the glittering lights of Marbella, Puerto Banús and Estepona in the evening. Its cooler because of the elevation. It looks distant but at the same time it’s just 10 minutes drive to the coast.

Vista Lago has many attractions from the views to the world-class design –what factor or factors, made you decide to purchase here?

The views. Sierra de las Nieves to the North, La Concha, La Concepción dam, and Marbella Golden mile to the east with its golden sunrise, the Mediterranean, Puerto Banús, and the New Golden Mile in front of you. The coast of Africa, Atlas mountains and the Rock of Gibraltar in the distant front and west of you. The mountains of La Zagaleta and Monte Mayor to the west with its glorious sunset. No development can compete with these kind of views. Location. It is elevated with views and central to many Marbella attractions yet very close to nature. It is also located in the highest and prominent location within Real de La Quinta, a private secured community with a lot of traditional and modern day amenities. Security. Double security. First with Real de La Quinta and then Vista Lago’s own gated security. Amenities. You are living within the resort community of Real de La Quinta where you can play, relax, eat, meet new friends and enjoy the mountain lake with its very own beach. All in a very secured environment. World-class Design. Confirmed when it won the “World’s Best Residential Development” award at the International Property Awards. For me, it is also the greatest property investment compared to what is available in the area at this moment.

What do you think sets Vista Lago apart from other developments in the area?

The location, within Real de La Quinta and close to Marbella. The views, its hard to find a similar panoramic view in any other development. The whole development design and planning. Each villa is positioned to maximize the panoramic views without obstruction from your neighbours. These parameters make the Inside-Outside design even more grandiose.

Which of the future features of Real de La Quinta resort are you most looking forward to?

The lake, the beach and the Club House next to it. The 35,000 m2 lake and beach club with executive golf course at Real de La Quinta.

How important to you is living in a sustainable home?

This will be one of our retirement homes, maybe the main one. The less maintenance, the better. So, yes, it’s important.

What do you think if any, are the common misconceptions of the Marbella area?

People come here just to play, enjoy, show off and go home. Yes, I see a lot of that. Can you blame them? No, because this is the ideal place to do that. But many people actually call Marbella their home and live here all year round, just like us who would like to make this our home someday.

If you could describe a perfect day living in Vista Lago- What would it be?

Start the day with either a walk with my wife or sit on the terrace with our coffee and computer watching the sunrise. The rest of the day is an open slate with so many options: gardening, exploring the community, visiting so many places nearby, walk on the beach, do some sports. Light lunch. Do some trading on the US market. Siesta. Plan the evening. Night out or night in? Whatever you do, you are doing it with a magnificent background of views. Most likely we will have guests and there are so many things and places to show them. End the night with a glass of wine on your bedroom terrace, watching in awe the glittering lights of Marbella, The Rock and the distant coast of Africa, or the big moon above the Mediterranean casting its light on La Concha.

To find out more about Vista Lago Residences, click HERE, send an email to: info@by-bright.com or talk directly with the sales team on: (+34) 682 10 50 02

What makes a development the best in the world?

Vista Lago Residences has become the most talked about new development in Marbella. At the International Property Awards in 2022 it was awarded World’s Best Residential Development and also Best Architecture in Europe. In this article we look at what makes Vista Lago different from other developments and ask why, out of 550 other developments, it was awarded the top prize?

Article by Vivion O’Kelly. Images courtesy of BRIGHT.

What makes Vista Lago different?

We asked this question to Jason Harris, CEO of UDesign, who together with Gonzalez & Jacobsen, are the architects responsible for Vista Lago, he said: “There is no one main difference, because architectural creativity and innovation in all directions have been the driving forces in our approach from the very start. We designed each Vista Lago villa as a rich tableau of form and texture that sits perfectly on its own plot, integrated into the landscape, making it look as if it has always been there.”

Locations and amenities

Vista Lago is a gated community within a gated community, located in the country club estate of Real de La Quinta. It overlooks Marbella and the Mediterranean Sea, with views of the Rock of Gibraltar and Africa beyond. At no more than 15 minutes’ drive from the famous Golden Mile, this makes it an exceptional location in an exceptional part of Spain. The unique setting boasts one of the largest artificial lakes on the Costa del Sol, with a full range of water sports available, also featuring an exclusive golf course with wellness centre and spa, tennis and paddle tennis, a boutique hotel, equestrian centre, shops and top-end restaurant.

Design comes first

Design is the key word in Vista Lago, and it goes well beyond the design of each actual home. All are designed differently, which is quite unique in even the most luxurious of developments, and built to the highest standards possible. Each villa has a generous plot, and having been built on the highest plot in Real de La Quinta, none is overlooked by any other. Building density was sacrificed for the benefit of space, exceptional views and total privacy, but this does not translate to a lack of space. No wasted space in hallways and corridors, an absence of walls where one would normally expect to find them, a house that works just as well outside as in.

Design formula to maximize the views

A layout was created for the living area that would maximize the views – so whether standing in the kitchen, sitting at the dining table, relaxing on the sofa or sunbathing on the terrace, the view is ever-present. Every area of the lounge and terrace looks straight out to the sea.

Complete privacy for each villa

Each villa has not only visual privacy but also audio privacy. A future owner, relaxing in their living room or on their terrace, will have a clear sea view without seeing any of the other villas. When talking on their own terrace, they won’t be able to hear other owners chatting on their terraces. Essentially, the villas are designed in such a way that owners will be completely oblivious to their neighbours.

Bespoke homes

Each villa will be built to each client’s preference, reflecting their way of life, personal taste and family circumstances. Residents will be able to pick and choose individually tailored designs as they wish in a wide variety of ways, from saunas to fully-equipped spas,home offices, gymnasiums and multi-use basements being just some of the options available.

Architectural innovations

The design of Vista Lago incorporates a plethora of architectural innovations.One of these innovations are the distinctive beams that wrap around the hallway of each villa–they are not just a beautiful design feature. Once the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living area are fully opened, they slide into special glass walls in the hallway, giving unrestricted views in the lounge and creating a light-filled hallway that also has unrestricted views to the sea.

Little big details

Showers with built-in spaces for your bathroom goodies, unnoticeable but ample storage spaces, glass walls that slide away at the touch of a button, and many other seemingly minor design elements that, in fact, change your life.

Energy Conservation and sustainability

This is less evident on sight alone, but can, nevertheless, be clearly seen in the use of natural materials throughout each villa. All villas are in the process of being BREEAM certified, which guarantees a high level of environmental performance and reduction of the impact of each building both during the construction stage and throughout its life cycle. Specifically, it means improved energy efficiency at all levels, including electricity saving through state-of-the-art heat recovery and intelligent control systems, a comprehensive photovoltaic installation, all LED lighting, increased thermal insulation thickness of the building envelope and an indoor ventilation system with both exhaust and intake heat recovery. Water will be saved by a variety of innovative measures. Treatment systems, including drip irrigation for grey water and rainwater, dual-flush toilets, pressurized tap systems, efficient water storage, soil moisture sensors to regulate irrigation cycles and many more measures are all part and parcel of each villa.

Every home in Vista Lago, inside and out, is designed in such a way to maximize the health and well-being of its occupants. Owners can choose to have organic vegetable plots in their gardens, mini orchards and kitchen herb gardens.With charging points for electric cars, and pollution from light, noise and emissions dramatically reduced, a luxurious yet completely sustainable lifestyle can be fully realized. Add to all this the innovations in sustainable materials used in all Vista Lago villas and in land use, protection and creation of natural habitat, strict pollution control with regard to waste and water run-off, and you have a subsequent increase in health and well-being in a safe and sustainable environment for now and for the foreseeable future.

If it’s difference we’re looking for, there you have it.

Vista Lago Residences

Developed by BRIGHT – Architecture by UDesign and González & Jacobsen – Interior Design by UDesign.

For more information please click HERE

E: info@by-bright.com

W: Vista Lago

T: +34 682 10 50 02 (Sales Team)