Casa Mexicana scoops ‘Best Architecture Spain’

It’s not often that you place an award entry with an inner confidence that you have a winner on your hands. But Contemporary Villas’ quite incredible Casa Mexicana had ‘Best Architecture Spain’ written all over it, and the judges of this years’ CNBC-sponsored European Property Awards clearly agreed.

Paul Rossiter, Managing Director of Costa del Sol based Contemporary Villas, comments, “Casa Mexicana set in Sotogrande had a distinct advantage from the outset as it’s truly unique, not only in Spain but the whole of Europe. Eminent Mexican architects Legorreta and Legorreta have only ever lent their signature style to one private residence in the whole of Europe, and that is Casa Mexicana. It took quite literally years of persistence on the part of the owners to ensnare Mexico’s most famous living architects to design the 700m² five bedroom house overlooking the Mediterranean. But the finished product, which is as liveable as it is striking, rewards their perseverance.”

Undoubtedly and unashamedly ‘different’, Casa Mexicana is a reference point for the neighbourhood but respectfully keeps many of its quirkier features on the courtyard interior displaying an inoffensive geometric deep-red terracotta-hued exterior to the passing public. Only those privileged enough to cross the threshold will appreciate the full extent of Ricardo Legorreta’s thoroughly modern take on Mexican architecture.

Flamingo pink, lemon yellow and burnt sienna washed walls accented by a lattice of perforations create a riot of colour and light which perfectly frames the Andalucian countryside and seascapes. Superior quality walnut, maple and oak flooring grounds the five bedrooms and inner living spaces whilst a glass-encased Travertine marble courtyard leads to a suntrap summer terrace and refreshing aquamarine pool flanked by tumbling pebble water cascade.

Thousands of Europe’s most affluent residents live in the 2,000 hectare Sotogrande estate conceived by American Joseph McMicking back in 1962. Renowned for its 683-berth marina, world-famous polo fields and so-called ‘Golden Triangle of Golf’ (San Roque, Valderrama and Real Club de Golf Sotogrande), Casa Mexicana is within strolling distance of the Hotel Almenara, a five-star Eden H resort with Spa and equestrian centre, and a just few minute’s drive from the marina with its chic shops, bars and restaurants.

Paul concludes, “Casa Mexicana sits perfectly within Contemporary Villas’ portfolio. Examples of honest pure modern architecture are hard to come by in southern Spain, but society is changing and demand is growing. Undoubtedly Channel 4’s almost cult television series, Grand Designs, has fuelled a hunger for all things contemporary meanwhile the age bracket is also dropping and many younger buyers are much more interested in modern designs. Contemporary Villas is about so much more than building or marketing visionary homes amongst Spain’s finest landscapes – it’s about championing modern architecture and responding to a cultural shift in buying patterns.”

Casa Mexicana is priced at 3.5 million euros.

For more information, visit contemporary-villas.com