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n southern Spain, a pioneering villa named Villa Noon at Sotogrande is set to redefine luxury living. Designed by architect Fran Silvestre, this zero-emission masterpiece will feature five marble-clad cylinders connected like a Jenga puzzle, providing 2,000sq m of living space. With a projected two-year build and a price tag of €11.4mn, Villa Noon promises to be Spain's first luxury house to achieve complete energy independence.
The villa boasts an impressive array of high-end features, including six bedroom suites, an expansive spa and wellness centre, cinema, wine cellar, and swimming pools both indoors and out. Behind the scenes, a sophisticated water management system will collect rainwater for non-potable uses, greywater irrigation, and atmospheric water generation, powered by surplus electricity from on-site solar panels.
Villa Noon meets the stringent criteria of a passive house, fulfilling five key principles: high-quality insulation, superior windows, airtight construction, heat-recovery ventilation, and thermal bridge-free design. This revolutionary design combines geothermal energy with solar power and Sonnen battery storage to operate completely self-sufficiently, independent of conventional utility networks.
Market trends support the growing demand for eco-luxury homes that combine sustainability with luxury living. The Luxury Real Estate Report by CBRE notes a strong trend towards sustainable living, driven by high-net-worth individuals and affluent millennials seeking unique experiences.
In the Mojave Desert, Hillary Flur has built two off-grid properties, Folly Joshua Tree and Folly Mojave, in partnership with architect Malek Alqadi. These striking homes feature corten steel cladding and minimal interiors, with solar panels and batteries providing power. Finding water was a significant challenge, but Flur's determination paid off, allowing her to collect 300,000-plus litres of water per year.
Architect Magnus Ström's approach connects wellness, health, and nature in his designs. His Barcelona House, completed in 2023, features photovoltaic roof panels, oversized solar systems, and large batteries for night-time use. Expansive glass ensures a connection with nature, while an internal olive tree adds a biophilic flourish.
In the eastern Algarve, S+A Architects has designed Verdelago, a collection of eco-friendly apartments and villas that set a new standard in sustainable hospitality. Properties start from €660,000 for one-bedroom apartments and €980,000 for two-bedroom townhouses. The development features a comprehensive water-management system, rainwater recovery, and wastewater recycling.
A traditional Mallorquin finca is also available for sale through Engel & Völkers, with plans to replace the solar panels with a photovoltaic system and lithium batteries. This self-sufficient property already has its own well, vineyard, and 600 olive trees.
As the world shifts towards sustainable living, luxury homes are embracing eco-friendly technologies and designs that minimize energy consumption and maximize renewable energy production. From Villa Noon to Verdelago, these pioneering projects showcase a new era of luxury living that is lean, clean, and green.
