Mediterranean Majesty

Abode2 discovers the new Ricardo Bofill architect-designed-villa at Palmares Ocean Living & Golf

The Algarve’s stunning Palmares Ocean Living & Golf, owned and operated by Kronos Homes, has a reputation for its outstanding architecture. Just last year, its Clubhouse scooped a National Real Estate Award in the Tourism category. Now, the resort is taking that reputation to the next level by offering one blessed buyer the chance to purchase a plot for which renowned architect Ricardo Bofill designed a classical temple-inspired villa.

The architectural world mourned the loss of one of its greatest influencers of modern times when Catalonian Ricardo Bofill passed away in January this year. But just two months before he passed, Bofill delivered a stunning new vision – for a standalone villa on a single plot of land at Palmares Ocean Living & Golf. And one buyer now has the chance to bring one of Bofill’s final designs to life.

Saïd Hejal, Partner and CEO, Kronos Homes reflects: “After working with Bofill in our Kronos projects Brava and Ikon in Spain, we feel incredibly privileged to be able to offer the opportunity to bring a Bofill-designed villa to life at Palmares Ocean Living & Golf. The design is incredible, celebrating the majesty of the seafront setting in a unique way. Ricardo Bofill’s loss has been felt deeply around the world. To be able to honour his legacy in this way is very special.”

Born in Barcelona, Bofill was known for the bold colours and vibrant geometry that he brought bursting onto the scene in the late 1960s/early 1970s, leaving the stark modernism of the previous few years in his dust. One of Europe’s most representative postmodernist architects, his works include Kafka Castle and Walden 7 in Catalonia, La Muralla Roja in Alicante, Axe Majeur in Paris and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco.

Ricardo Bofill was known for his blending of Mediterranean and Arabic design influences – something which suited both his native Barcelona and the history of Arabic architectural influence in Portugal. His work embraced poetry, mathematics, literature and economics, blending all of these with his visionary architectural designs.

The architectural study that Bofill completed at Palmares Ocean Living certainly reflects these influences. Referring to the design as “a homage to light and shadows,” Bofill’s studio – Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura – comments: “The villa sits unapologetically on the rolling seaside landscape with its bold shape and materials. There is an undisguised intention of making it visible from the distance, a presence that evokes a classic temple with its sets of columns.”

“Internally everything is organized from a central courtyard that divides the program while bringing natural light to all rooms. The courtyard, open to the ocean, focuses the entire house on the sea view and transforms the front façade into the social area, with pool, outdoor living, formal dining space and the option for a fireplace. The house is designed based on a modular principle that allows a response to different needs without losing the spatial quality and identity. The proposed grid focuses not only on the building, but also incorporates the landscape variations throughout the year. The addition of swaying textiles to the columns will add a soft and contrasting layer to create shadows that shift and dance with the sun’s position.”

With plots at Palmares Ocean Living available for sale with or without architectural project, Palmares presents an incredibly rare opportunity for a buyer to purchase their own Bofill-designed villa.

palmaresliving.com