Located on the hills of Sotogrande, one of the most sought-after destinations in southern Europe among lovers of golf, polo and luxury life in general, Villa Noon is billed as the world’s first zero-emissions villa. Not only that, Villa Noon also generates its own water… from the sun.
Viewed as a ground-breaking achievement in sustainable architecture and made reality thanks to pioneering real estate developers, Cork Oak Mansion, Villa Noon embodies the “villa zero” concept, completely cut off from conventional water and electricity networks.
This passive house is entirely self-sufficient, producing all the energy and water it needs to function independently. Villa Noon attains the goal of zero water consumption thanks to three renewable sources. The first is atmospheric water generation, which produces 90,000 litres annually. This high-quality water is used for drinking and cooking, powered by photovoltaic energy. Next is the rainwater collection, which captures 760,000 litres annually and serves non-potable uses. And finally, approximately 700,000 litres of grey water are repurposed for irrigation every year.
Villa Noon is seamlessly integrated into its natural environment, which wasn’t an obstacle for architect Fran Silvestre to dote it with the most spectacular views.
Villa Noon’s energy independence is a thing of beauty as well. As Rita Jordao, Director of Marketing at Sotogrande, observes, “It is completely off-grid, utilising solar panels and geothermal energy systems. This not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels but also ensures a zero-emission energy supply.”
Several other unique environmental measures help the property to stand out. For instance, Jordao continues, “Villa Noon has an advanced HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system designed to be highly efficient, producing more energy than it consumes. This system also incorporates passive house principles to maintain optimal indoor climate with minimal energy use.”
The concept of sustainable architecture stretches to the shape of the villa. Conceived in cylindrical formations that elegantly mirror the contours of the natural terrain, the property’s stone facade is woven seamlessly into the side of the mountain. This renders Villa Noon invisible from the outside, so there is no footprint on the land.
Villa Noon seamlessly combines materials and design of exceptional quality with an eco-friendly living experience.
Its architect, Fran Silvestre, says, “Our goal was to create a design that blends more with nature than traditional architecture does. The circular shapes draw inspiration from the natural environment.”
Jordao stresses that this sort of environmentally friendly approach is the only way forward for luxury travel. “Tourism can put significant pressure on natural resources and ecosystems. “Sustainable practices help preserve these environments for future generations, ensuring that natural beauty and biodiversity are maintained. Sotogrande is only possible today because our founders shared that vision, which we have respected for over six decades.”
Left, the master suite at Villa Noon, south-east facing for morning light and views of the Mediterranean Sea. Right, a water-featured patio leads to the living level, which also enjoys panoramic views of the coast.
She highlights a further benefit of sustainable tourism. “It can boost local economies by creating jobs and supporting local businesses. Being sustainable is also about taking a conscious view of the local community and supporting housing, businesses, sports and social causes, all aspects in which Sotogrande has been involved from its inception. We continue to create a positive local impact. There is also an ever-growing number of eco-conscious travellers and investors for whom environmentally friendly experiences are today’s concept of luxury.”
Silvestre echoes these thoughts, firm in his belief that Villa Noon will be “the future of luxury living”. He may well be right.
As the world nears High Noon in its battle against climate change, inspired, sustainable properties such as Villa Noon offer more than a glimmer of hope.
More information about Sotogrande and its sustainable ethos is HERE.
Author: James Rampton
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