Interview About Vila Galactica
Why this shape?
This shape sprung to my mind the first day I visited the plot. It was a very cloudy and rainy day almost in the evening - probably the worst time to view a property - but nevertheless I was taken by the views and the potential to create a unique property no matter the difficulties. I decided to buy it on the spot!
What was clear to me at that time was I wanted to have a “flying” room over the steep hill, a large encompassing infinity pool and an atrium, the rest came later.
Then a long defining and maturing process followed where all the details started to take shape. It’s like an embryo, it first has an amorphous shape and with time it grows and evolves to give the best possible design from that original embryo.
What are your sources of inspiration?
I wanted an ultra-modern looking house. My first inspirations came from many sources: the site, the views, the surrounding environment, the trees, the urbanistic requirements, the topography, where to enter the villa and the necessary adjustments for circulation, installations and legal requirements.
Then the defining inspirations came from nautical designs, science fiction movies and countless hours of day dreaming and ”design storming” keeping in mind we’re subject to gravity and that I’m designing a liveable house. All worked in unison to create a spectacular project.
The main challenge of this Villa is besides creating the best possible solution that addresses the environment is to create a house where you can experience a wow effect in every single area and at the same time create a cozy atmosphere in an elegant surrounding.
Talk to me about the interiors
You know as an Architect you have to think about the exterior as well as the interior. In my opinion Architecture is the hardest artistic expression to achieve. You have so many limitations!
As you design the envelope you have to imagine what are the views you want to achieve from the inside as well as a general idea of the interior of the place. After all, a home besides being a shelter is a place to live and share wonderful moments.
A house must provide a “cozy” interior where we can feel comfortable, protected and in harmony with our surroundings as well as provide unique experiences in terms of enjoying breathtaking views, relaxing in a special ambiance and doing every day activities, be it cooking, exercising or sunbathing.
One way to do this is to allow as much natural light as possible and invite nature within the walls so that texture and colour become part of the interior as much as the exterior.
This has resulted in adopting curved lines to accommodate the trees into its structure. The design embraces nature around it.
One very intriguing aspect about this house is that sphere, what is it?
I like to say it’s the “Sin Room”! And everyone gets astonished, their eyes roll as if imagining what they would do in there and burst out laughing.
Indeed it’s a very powerful shape and you can let your imagination go wild when thinking about it. So I’ll leave it as an intrigue for everyone to figure out. But I’ll just say that the acoustics are absolutely mind boggling and that it has a glass floor suspended in the middle of it.
What makes The Galactica House different from other villas in Marbella?
The Galactica house is completely different from all the houses in Marbella and beyond. I wanted to create a truly original and exclusive design.
Given the amount of money available in Marbella from promoters and villa owners, I’m surprised there hasn’t been more creativity with regards to design. But maybe you need someone to trigger an inspirational competition and I’d be very happy to be part of that trend.
What is your strongest asset as an architect?
I love to create a wow effect in the design of the house inside and out. I love performance art where I can provide wonderful sensations ranging from the wow effect to a serene Zen atmosphere.
I have a very clear vision of the project very early on and I quickly imagine the spaces and the volumes with many details when I’m on site or in front of my sketches. Also the design matures and evolves as it becomes more complex and detailed.
How would you describe your style?
My style is to create a beautiful work of art, it has to create a sensation of wonder, of beauty, of elegance, and apply to indoors spaces a welcoming sensation of coziness.
It’s also very important to work with nature, to make it part of the project. The use of plants and vegetation is a crucial part of my style.
Is there an architect you admire?
I admire many architects, most well known architects have at one point in their career created beautiful buildings and ambiances. I use many references from other architects to shape my designs.
Do you have a saying?
Enjoy every day as life is the greatest gift.
