A Jaunty Video for the Time Poor: How much does it cost to build a house in Spain?
Author: Eco Vida Homes is a team of Architects, Technical Architects, Builders, an Engineer, and a Chartered Surveyor. We help people design and build beautiful energy efficient homes designed for Mediterranean living in Marbella and Southern Spain. There are two things that make us stand out: a sharp focus on our clients’ needs and everyContinue reading
Architects Fees Marbella and Costa del Sol
What does an architect charge in Marbella and the Costa del Sol? Conventionally they charge a percentage of the build cost. While there are no mandatory rates almost all architects quote the standard rates of their colegio. The percentages vary according to the scale of the project. The Architects Colleges that supervise the architects inContinue reading
Ergonomics and Healthy Villa Design
“Ergonomics” what does it mean? Good ergonomics is kind of making everything fit both physically and psychologically. For example in a traffic jam the cars don’t fit. You could say the ergonomics of the road design are bad. A human skeleton has to fit an office chair – that’s ergonomics. In your kitchen design thinkContinue reading
Plants and a Healthly Villa Design
“Just living is not enough… One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” : Hans Christian Andersen Plants are nature’s eco-friendly living air purifiers with scientific evidence to back this up. So plants should be part of your #healthyhousedesign. Why? Plants re-balance the carbon / oxygen mix Modern construction techniques are making homes increasinglyContinue reading
A Changing World and Changing Priorities?
Did anyone else see this article from McKinseys? It is about compassionate leadership. The authors talk about awareness, vulnerability, empathy and compassion. I havent heard of vulnerability being portrayed as a positive leadership quality from a company like McKinseys before. We certainly have come along way since the “greed is good” mentality that I rememberContinue reading
Design for Healthly Acoustics
Healthy acoustics is certainly taken very seriously in the work place. Studies show that in well-designed acoustic environments students study more effectively, patients recover faster, productivity improves, and stress is reduced. #healthyhousedesign The human ear developed in a natural environment mainly to warn us of danger and understand speech. The modern environment presents many challengesContinue reading
Healthy Cooling Systems
In Spain we have a cooling problem in the summer. If you’re from Northern Europe don’t underestimate this. In July and August it can be, quite simply, too hot. #healthyhousedesign In winter, spring and autumn temperatures can vary widely even in the course of a single day. When the sun is out you can beContinue reading
The Effect of Artificial Light on Health, Mood, and Performance
The arrival of the light bulb in the early part of the 20th century was a game changer for Spain. It allowed them to turn night into day. In Madrid there are traffic jams at 4.00 a.m. as people try to get home after a night out. Many people ask “when do the Madrileños sleep?”Continue reading
What effect will the coronavirus epidemic have on the Spanish property market?
Mark Stucklin has carried out a survey of people connected to the Spanish property market: buyers, sellers, owners and professionals and he has analysed their responses in a couple of erudite articles that can be found here and here. Mark’s website is a source we can trust. He is a well-respected long term commentator andContinue reading
Electro Magnetic Fields (EMFs) and Your Health
It’s a tricky topic this one because opinions are deeply held and polarised. Let’s start with a quick summary of the facts and issues and then I will try to choose my words carefully: #healthyhousedesign Electromagnetic fields are generated by 1. Power lines 2. Electrical wiring in buildings 3. Electrical devices Normal bodily function includesContinue reading