Architects

Renowned  Architects in Costa del Sol Andalucia

Some of the greatest modern architects have an association with Andalucia. The buildings and housing complexes throughout the region are a testament to the creative vein that continues to run through Costa de Sol where the notable work is villas and housing developments.

Traditional Andalucian aesthetic style

Aubrey David - The begining

Aubrey David was responsible for designing beautiful residential developments as well as numerous private villas and country properties. Aubrey and his wife, Muriel, moved to Spain from South Africa in the mid-1950s. He was a young, idealistic and ambitious architect. The couple first settled in Mijas.

In the 1960s, the Davids moved to Estepona, where Aubrey built his first urbanisation, Villas Andalus, right on the beach, east of Arroyo de los Romeros. This became one of the first developments of this type of community living.

He then went on to develop the much larger more complicated urbanisation of Bahia Dorada a west of Estepona, where some 300 cluster houses are set in manicured gardens with six community pools.

His next development is Bahia de Casares, a picturesque urbanisation built on elevated land just 200 metres from the beach. Properties here offer spectacular coastal views.

Donald Gray - Authentic Village:

The initial defense of Andalusian tradition came from Australian architect Donald Gray. A great champion of 'vernacular architecture', Gray worked tirelessly to counter the widespread 'tourist architecture' that was rapidly consuming the coastline in the 1960s. Having studied with local builders and artisans, Gray ensured that his designs honoured the region's centuries-old craftsmanship.

His philosophy led to the creation of the cherished, idealised Andalusian villages that now serve as a blueprint. His masterpiece, La Virginia, which began in 1969, is a historical achievement. Conceived as a self-contained, intimate community, it has a deliberately timeless feel. Gray employed cobbled, labyrinthine streets and unexpected 'plazuelas' (small squares), as well as integrated flora, to make it evolve into an ancient white village rather than a modern residential development.

Marcos Sainz - Luxury and Tradition

Sainz's most significant achievement was the design and construction of Puerto Banús, which opened in 1970. The challenge was to create a modern, high-capacity marina that would still resonate with the romantic spirit of the Mediterranean. Sainz successfully combined the practical needs of a luxury yacht harbour with the aesthetic charm of a whitewashed fishing village. The design incorporates low-rise buildings, wrought-iron balconies, terracotta details and small-scale architecture. Read about the History of Puerto Banus.

Melvin Villarroel - Architecture of the Void

Villarroel introduced the revolutionary concept of the 'Architecture of the Void', which stipulated that no more than 30% of land should be occupied by structures, leaving the majority as open spaces, gardens and light-filled communal areas.

Villarroel's most famous work is the Hotel Puente Romano (1978). The project is not just defined by its buildings, but also by its spectacular subtropical gardens, which act as the core of the community. The buildings themselves are designed in a warm, low-density Andalusian style.

Lookup Table of Architects and Development