Article by Victoria Wood
Marbella’s award-winning Villa Alcuzcuz is a luxury Passive House and Smart home. It uses this smart home tech to keep energy use to a minimum.
The concept of building a home in the current climate is a far cry from traditional bricks and mortar. These days there are incredible advances within design, architecture and construction as well as environmental principles which all need to be considered when putting together plans for a property.
Bright’s award-winning Villa Alcuzcuz, is far more than just a grand, luxury home. It has sustainability at the heart of its design, whilst simultaneously featuring the latest advances in smart home technology.
Low carbon footprint
Villa Alcuzcuz was designed as an environmentally friendly Passive House, the first luxury Passive House to be built in the Marbella area. Passive Houses are highly energy-efficient buildings which can regulate their own temperature due to premium quality insulation and a highly-efficient ventilation system. Due to the effectivity of these features, a Passive House requires minimal energy to provide optimum comfort throughout all seasons and provides a consistent supply of fresh air throughout the building along with a huge 75% saving in energy costs.
This exceptional villa, located in the exclusive Reserva de Alcuzcuz community, in the municipality of Benahavís, has been honoured with two accolades at the 2019 International Property Awards for both Best Architecture, Europe as well as Best Architecture, Spain. Its ultra-modern design does not only feature impeccable interior and exterior design, exude opulence, and respect the environment, but also incorporates smart home technology.
Using Smart home tech to reduce energy usage
Smart homes come equipped with devices that automate tasks that would usually be managed and operated manually, such as lighting, domestic appliances, music systems, heating, air conditioning, smoke detectors, home security, thermostats etc. A smart home will activate such devices, via apps or voice commands, as and when the user decides; such devices can be timed or activated on demand. Smart appliances can function harmoniously alongside the concept of the Passive House in aiding the reduction of energy consumption and, therefore, living costs.
The Smart home not only delivers convenience but also comfort, which is key to a stress-free living environment. Having Smart systems aids relaxation by keeping the resident entertained and informed whilst maintaining efficiency on any domestic tasks.
A Smart lifestyle
At Villa Alcuzcuz the entire property is controlled by a home automation system activated by app (or voice assistant) within allocated zones throughout the house. This system is compatible with ‘geofencing’ which means that particular apparatus within the house can be activated via GPS to be in effect on arrival. For example, if you are expecting to be home at lunchtime on a hot, summers day, the air conditioning can be activated an hour prior to your arrival ensuring that the rooms will be at the perfect temperature when you walk through the door.
Or you could be arriving home in the evening and would like to have the lights on, setting the mood for the particular occasion, some music playing perhaps? Security systems monitoring the villa are also manageable remotely as are the windows which are all motorised.
Villa Alcuzcuz is home design at its finest, incorporating modern technology, environmental principles, and state-of-the-art architectural design concepts all wrapped up in an exuberant, luxurious living space. An enviable property to say the least.
Villa Alcuzcuz is currently under construction, due to be completed and ready to live in by February 2021. If you would like more information about the villa, or would like to organise a site visit, please contact Bright’s Sales Manager Andrew Lee on (+34) 682 105 002
