modern-villas.com

Category: Design Philosophy

Articles about our Design Philosophy

  • Brisbane – Massing study

    This is the first step before we design the actual house.

    First, we model the site in 3D, so we understand the terrain, the views, any privacy issues.

    In this case, a double section with panoramic sea views on the Sunshine Coast near Brisbane, there´s a number of huge rocks on the top left, a neighbour the client doesn´t want to see, and an electricity pole that can´t be removed. On the other side, an existing house leaves a number of “ready made” building pads which we could use to save on building costs.

    The higher part of the land slopes quite a bit; and the “left” part slopes quite differently from the “right” part. Finally, there´s an electricity pole on the street in frontll that we´ll want to keep out of sight.

    We also design the restrictions created by the building codes – in this case, an invisible “max height” that floats 8m above the natural terrain. This allows us to see exactly how far the different parts of the buildings and overhangs can go without hitting this invisible ceiling; and it allows us to position the house as high as possible to ensure the best views.

    As such, the massing study allows us to see how the client´s briefing could be sculpted on the terrain.

    It also allows us to discuss what goes where – should the master go on top, for privacy, or on the main floor to be closer to guests?

    Do we give the gym some of the panoramic ocean views, or do we put that in the back or even a basement?

    In a nutshell, doing a massing study in 3D allows the client to see if the overall shape and distribution of spaces works for him, before we start designing.


    It can also be done before buying the land, so one gets a feeling of the possibilities before making the big decision.


  • Most popular designs

    When we started, modern architecture in Spain was virtually unknown, so we set out creating a dozen of basic designs – some of which have been copied thousands of times around the world.

    Here´s a selection of the most popular modern villa designs!


    Note – these are now 10+ years old, so the renderings aren´t as good as today – but the designs have proven successful around the world.

    The Crescendo House

    With an L-shaped floor plan and protruding design, this house looks impressive and offers great panoramic views, with the guest rooms out of the way in the back.

    The first renders of our Eagles House, back in 2014

    The Eagles House

    The Eagles House design by Modern Villas – resembling an Eagle about to spread its wings

    This triumphant design looks like an eagle spreading its wings – offering an extra-tall entrance and lounge in the middle. Kitchen/dining and master suite are usually in one wing, guest rooms in the other one.

    The Soccer House – an opulent, African version of the Eagles House

    The Ribbon House – first renders dating from 2015. A simple body with a “ribbon” framing the façade

    The Ribbon House

    A recent version of the Ribbon House – The “O Lifestyle” design for resorts in Greece, 2021

    With the “ribbon” framing the house, a very easy to build home (the body itself is a symmetric block) can look spectacular and the overhangs provide lots of solar protection

    The sliding house

    The top volumes seems to slide to one side – a clever effet that makes the house look larger than it is, while creating a covered terrace on the side.

  • Warm minimalism

    This image exemplifies warm minimalist architecture through a deliberate balance of restraint, natural materials, and emotional resonance. Here’s why it succeeds:

    1. Restrained Geometry & Spatial Clarity

    • Straight, simple lines dominate: the low, horizontal profile of the furniture, the uninterrupted ceiling beams, and the clean edges of the travertine plinths create a quiet order.
    • The wide-angle view emphasizes volume over clutter, allowing the eye to rest on negative space rather than ornament.

    2. Warmth Through Materiality

    • Untreated travertine slabs on walls and floors introduce organic texture and subtle veining—cool in tone but warm in tactility.
    • Walnut wall panels and exposed timber structure bathe the space in rich, honeyed wood tones that glow under natural light, countering minimalism’s tendency toward coldness.
    • The wooden ceiling with its rhythmic beams adds a crafted, almost tactile warmth overhead, like a protective canopy.

    3. Light as Emotional Anchor

    • Golden-hour sunlight floods the interior, reflecting off the infinity pool and casting soft shadows that animate the travertine and wood.
    • The seamless indoor-outdoor transition (floor-to-ceiling glass, flush thresholds) dissolves boundaries, letting the tropical landscape become part of the interior palette.

    4. Subtle High-Tech Integration

    • Hidden linear LED coves behind the walnut feature wall provide ambient glow without visual noise.
    • The recessed TV and minimalist fixtures suggest luxury tech that serves the architecture, not the other way around.

    5. Tropical Contextual Sensitivity

    • The infinity pool edge aligns perfectly with the sea horizon, creating a meditative continuity between built and natural.
    • Lush vegetation frames the view without encroaching, softening the architecture’s rigor with living texture.

    6. Human-Scale Comfort

    • Oversized, low-slung linen sofas invite lounging; their neutral upholstery keeps the palette serene.
    • A single monstera plant and ceramic vessels add just enough life to feel inhabited, not decorated.

    In essence, this is minimalism with soul—luxurious yet understated, high-tech yet hand-crafted, expansive yet intimate. It’s Modern Villas tropical modernist language distilled: where every line serves the view, every texture serves warmth, and every void serves peace.