The Edge House is quite unusual in that it was originally designed for a narrow plot in Marbella with amazing views – so we wanted these views to be safeguarded, even from the kitchen in the very back of the house.
The house has spectacular cantilevers on the front, supported by structural walls on one side only – and a strong “graphical” look.
This cantilevered front is used often in our designs, as it creates a great view for the main room as well as the master bedroom on top.
When combined with a second volume in an L shaped design – it becomes our “flying house” design. And occasionally we´ve used two cantilevered volumes, like in the St. John house on the USVI.
a typical modernist design. Strong shapes and sleek lines make a bold statement.
In the first half of the 20th century, new materials and techniques like steel beams and large glass panes, allowed architects to create new, larger and more “graphical” shapes and spaces.
No longer constrained by the small spans that older techniques dictated, the “mid century modern” architects started creating houses with totally new shapes.
Bauhaus, Mies van der Rohe, Philip Johnson Le Corbusier are typical exponents of this. In the early years, a certain obsession with steel and glass made the houses sometimes a little too “cold” and “sterile”; but these days are long gone.
Today, 7 decades later, thousands and thousands of difference modern façades and layout have been created, but probably only 10 or 20 archetypes have stood the test of time and have become really timeless.
Getting the shapes and proportions exactly right is extremely important. Modern designs are “easy” to copy but at the same time easily destroyed. Today, almost every architect claims to do “modern” design – but if it´s not their real talent and vocation – steer clear.
A modernist design – the “left wing” architype – using steel columns that reminisce the mid-century style
Perhaps surprisingly, Brazil has been an early adapter of modernism and has probably some of the best modern architects of the world, with Marcio Kogan (studioMK27)on of our personal favourites.
Our teams our spread from Europe to Brazil and Australia, have a long track record of good modern design. After all, it´s all we do, and we´ve been doing this for a long time.
The sliding house – one of our first modern villa designs – back in 2013
Our default style at Modern Villas is “warm minimalist” – although of course we always follow the client´s cue. We´re designing a house for you, not for us.
Minimalist house design means: clean lines, shapes and forms, with a minimum of clutter.
All visible shapes and volumes – walls, windows, roofs, doors, terraces – should combine in a beautiful, harmonious, balanced “rhythm”. All proportions should be just right.
This is perhaps an art more than a science; and it explains why less specialized architects often create designs that are “almost there”, but still a little bit messy.
It takes a special talent – and a lot of time and patience – to iterate designs until all shapes are not only “functional” but also balanced and harmonious.
The Modern Villas workflow is organized specifically to this end. We use multiple creative teams in “swarm mode” – like a visual brainstorm session – as well as custom technology – in such a way that dozens of “variations” can be generated relatively quickly. Until eventually… everything just falls in place.
The result: a house that feels welcoming, relaxing, beautiful and uncluttered; usually with long, uninterrupted lines of sight. Without any unnecessary interruptions or visual obstacles.
And no, “minimalist” homes do not have to be cold: using the right materials and proportions, they can deliver high-touch, warm, human, and beautifully textured “experiences”.
We love the touch of natural stones – like untreated travertine, which feels as if you´re walking on a beach; beautiful woods with soft textures, organic textiles…
Exactly how minimalist you want to go, is up to you. Some clients want go extremely minimal, as their minds won´t be in peace until every unnecessary detail is removed.
Others like a more “opulent” style where the house itself is nothing but a minimalist “canvas” where richer details in the form of furniture, art, unique ceilings etc. can be added.
Understanding exactly where you are on the scale of minimalism is one of the first cornerstones of our design process.
an “average” level of minimalism, for this version of our “sliding house” designa slightly more minimalist, almost brutalist, version of our “flying house” design, rendered with Gemini AIan opulent, almost “maximalist” minimalism version of our “Eagles House” design, rendered with Grok AI
