Marbella is constantly growing, and with that, the need for new properties has led to a flurry of new builds. What is interesting is how the architectural styles have changed over the decades, and with each new ‘mode’ comes a clear beacon in the style of construction across Marbella. Over the years we have seen the Arabic-inspired sprawling mansions evolve into charming traditional Spanish villas and more recently, the modern contemporary style.
However, the minimalist white cubes that became popular in the 2000’s seem to have had their day and just like fashion it’s time to move on. Styles evolve, and like the staple little black dress or a pair of boot leg jeans, architects look to the past for inspiration for their future projects. But it isn’t just the architectural designs that influences what is the hot new trend in houses styles. The influx of different nationalities has a huge impact in the evolving landscape of the Marbella skyline. The Scandinavian community were influential in the creation of the white contemporary style villa, with the preferences of clean lines and understated elegance that resonated deeply with Scandinavian taste. This influenced both exterior and interior design trends in Marbella that we still see today in new current market. However, just as fashion trends cycle back, architectural preferences do as well, and the designs that are being presented now are showing a resurgent of the traditional Andalusian-style villas.
Whether this is due to the surge in the American market that favor traditional styles or the return of the British and Irish market post Brexit, either way the Marbella landscape is circling back to the 80’s. This impacts not only the exterior but the traditional style impacts the interior features as well. The industrial style black metal doors are being replaces by rustic shutters. The marble is being replaced by herringbone hardwood floors and the kitchen tiles replaced with hand painted rustic designs.
How long these designs are here to stay we don’t know, but like all fashion cycles each resurgent brings along its own set of improvements and enhancements that appeals to the next generation of clients.