Tales From The White Isle – Blakstad, The Invincible Architect With A Nostalgic Soul

A balmy evening earlier this week at Soho Farmhouse Ibiza in the criss cross red earth, olive and citrus grove environs of Santa Gertrudis and I had the privilege of meeting THE foremost architect on the island, Rolf Blakstad.

Renowned for blending traditional architecture with modern luxury, and an effervescent passion for open plan living, this vanguard architectural studio was founded back in 1967 by father Rolph Blakstad, a Canadian-born architect and researcher who moved to the island in 1956 as a wide-eyed youth with his young bride after studying art and architecture in Florence and immersing himself in vernacular Islamic and Mediterranean design practices.

Now, the next generation son Rolf (who started his apprenticeship under his father at just 12 years old) and brother Nial are at the helm, carrying on their father's fusion design heritage - preserving the past while embracing the here and now - honouring pearly beauty dry stone walls, pure geometric volumes, beamed ceilings and creating that elusive seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living.

Asked about the interloping creep of new build real estate on the island, Rolf reflects: "The history of Spain is written in bricks and mortar. Trends come and go, and to a certain extent, evolution brings a new way of building and living. But in a destination as competitive as Ibiza with such a tightly controlled build footprint - there has to be a differentiating factor. Our villas do not follow trends. We transcend them. Our focus is on pure form, natural integration and materials that give a home enduring appeal. Like a life well lived - there are no short cuts."

Explore the island - and it's heartwarming to see the countryside's traditional, sustainable architecture as a living history.

Millenarian farming houses - casas payesas stand proudly in the hills and valleys. Homes that are both highly functional but also deeply enriching to live in. May overseas property buyers who wish to put down roots here embrace this organic Ibicenco heritage over 'paint by numbers' design.

Find out more at www.blakstadibiza.com.

By Laura Henderson, Manager Editor at Abode2.