Spanish integrator Illusion teamed up with architect Carlos Lamas to harness art and nature in this home, adding renewed value to domestic luxury. Layla Laidouci reports.
The Spanish town of Sierra Blanca in Marbella provides the backdrop for this spectacular villa nestled along the Mediterranean coastline.
In the four-room new build, a Lutron system provides the backbone for cross-sectional technologies; lighting reflects circadian rhythms and human creativity in preset scenes; climate management merges Airzone with automated shading; and multizone entertainment proceeds throughout the house via discreet sound systems.
Designed for a family relocating permanently from Belgium, the house delivers on its brief as an aesthetic retreat underpinned by order. Carlos Lamas, an Argentinean architect in the Marbella region, contributed his urban design flair to Illusion’s high-end custom install expertise.
In conversation with the integrator, we delve into the products and systems behind the client’s lifestyle and energy-efficiency aspirations.
Why Lutron?
In the central rack room on the ground floor, a Lutron HomeWorks QSX Processor interfaces with the building’s infrastructure to handle daily lighting control, supply, shading and audiovisual distribution. The unit integrates with third party systems like Sonos amplification and 2N access security to create a tailored, robust solution for full-time residence.
“Lutron was selected for its exceptional lighting control and integration capabilities,” begins Victor Periañez, owner of Illusion. “Its flexibility, ease of use and reliability ensured the different components of residential technology worked together fluently.”
Illusion developed the lighting design in-house to align technology with architectural and natural patterns. The presence sensors and time-based automation guide dimming and scenes like ‘Welcome’ or ‘Night’ in the bedrooms, kitchen, dining area, living and TV rooms.
“Decorative lighting was thoughtfully woven into the advanced control system,” explains Periañez. “A distinctive feature of the house was its extensive art collection, requiring a deep focus on the interplay of light with each piece. The decorator also incorporated numerous panelling, all of which needed to be expertly unified and lit.
“Inside the home, we integrated linear lighting with wall and furniture corners to accentuate circulation paths and provide a subtle glow in bathrooms, bedrooms and corridors.”
Periañez says the HomeWorks QSX system distributes DALI drivers and 230V circuits strategically in this property, becoming his preference for large-scale residential projects. “Lutron’s unparalleled accuracy in scene control creates seamless transitions between moods and activities,” he adds.
Luminaires from Delta Light support this sequential lighting with artistic optics to highlight textures and warmth, while Vibia, Frepi and Panzeri lighting fixtures illuminate the client’s literature and art collections.
“The lighting design uses direct and indirect recessed lights to create striking contrasts, bold shadows and artistic effects,” says Periañez. “This was more than a lighting installation – it was a fully managed design concept. Every detail reflects a philosophy where lighting, sound, climate and control come together in harmony to create not just a house, but an experience of living.”
Heightening the immersive experience, hospitality-grade shading cocoons each room in ambient lighting and optimal daylight conditions. The Lutron Alena QS Curtain Track responds automatically to time of day and incorporates custom fabric to match furnishings like bedspreads, with the bonus of a Pull-to-Start feature for manual operation as desired. Meanwhile the Roller QS shading saves energy and preserves interior materials against UV damage, while being a simultaneously attractive design feature.
“Automated shading not only enhances comfort and privacy but also helps protect the home’s delicate interiors such as flooring, upholstery and artworks,” continues Periañez. “The system contributes to energy efficiency by reducing heat gain, a crucial aspect considering the home’s southern orientation and its location in the south of Spain.”
The art of interaction
The residents interact with the home’s lighting, shading and temperature via Lutron’s Palladiom keypads, a range available in various columns, styles and languages. “We customised the keypads and installed them in either white or black, depending on the room, to complement the interior design,” says Periañez.
“Specified with four buttons, the keypads were engraved with personalised scenes combining text and icons to reflect the homeowners’ lifestyle. The result manages scene control and daily lighting routines with simplicity and intentionality.”
Installed in areas like the living room and corridors, the Palladiom collection adds backlit panels to the home’s marble, wood and concrete walls – a subtle nod to Belgian style.
Although coordinated by touch, the homeowners can also oversee the functions remotely using the Lutron App.
“In addition to its technical capabilities, the Lutron system supports the long-term maintainability and flexibility that a residence like this demands,” says Periañez. “Its scalable architecture means the system can grow with the home over time, adapting to future needs or lifestyle changes without compromising on the design intent. This is a home that thinks ahead.”
The residents chose to programme the system in English, however the Lutron app adjusts to the language of the mobile device being used.
Climate control
The Airzone range integrates with Lutron’s single user interface to synchronise climate control with lighting scenes based on activities or time of day. “In the morning, presence sensors can be integrated to activate both the lighting and climate control system,” says Periañez. “They gently illuminate the space and warm the bathroom with underfloor heating.”
Hydronic and radiant floor controllers work with a centralised Acuazone via the Airzone bus cable to consolidate the user’s temperature control process. “From the beginning, we knew we wanted to offer the client a cohesive control experience for temperature as well as lighting,” continues Periañez. “Lutron’s flexibility allowed us to harmonise both systems effortlessly through the Airzone Webserver HUB, specially designed for installations of this kind.”
There is even a ‘House Off’ feature allowing users to switch off all the lighting and climate systems with a single button when leaving the house.
Audio and visual design
Seamless internal and outdoor connectivity invites life into the property’s domestic comforts. Recessed round speakers from Sonance evenly distribute audio across the kitchen, dining area, living room, main bedroom and bathroom.
Disappearing into the ceiling, the flush speakers emphasise architectural lines to support the overall lighting and furniture design. Each area is powered by a Sonos Amp, delivering 125 watts per channel and stereo sound for TV and movies.
Uninterrupted outdoor audio flows from Architettura Sonora Medium Cylinder landscape speakers across the balconies and swimming pool. The speakers produce peak power of 300W and are finished in a naturalistic concrete with optional mood lighting.
“The landscaping, carefully curated to reflect the changing seasons, demanded a detailed understanding of each plant's unique lighting needs to create a harmonious garden scene,” says Periañez. “The outdoor zones become the heart of the home in the summer, and offer captivating views during the winter months.”
Visually striking, the property’s facades are illuminated by on-wall and floor outdoor projectors with IP68-rated connectors. As a result, the plants and stonework acquire an aesthetic glow while linear panel fixtures add drama and definition to the swimming pool.
Video and access control
For access control, the 2N IP Verso system packages high security in a sleek design. The outdoor unit, equipped with a built-in camera and touchscreen keypad, facilitates reliable entry using either a PIN code or remote access via mobile. And like the rest of the house, it’s programmed with scenes for different occasions.
“The family wanted their whole home to be intuitive,” says Periañez. “We’ve made it ready to adapt to different moments of the day, with discreet technology that doesn’t compromise the architecture or the views.”
The integrated experience continues inside, where the 2N Indoor View stations provide 7-inch HD video interaction with visitors. Featuring a weather forecast widget and zoom-in option, the touchscreen system is enhanced with a secure relay to prevent tampering and unauthorised access.
“One of the main advantages of this solution is the mobile connectivity, allowing the homeowners to see and speak with visitors and open the door remotely via the 2N Mobile Video app,” adds Periañez. “This feature becomes especially valuable when the users are not at home.”
Futureproofing
The thought and care behind the project didn’t stop at handover. Focusing on long-term use, the integrator aligned its careful technology choices with a thorough service package.
“Our dedicated after-sales department handles completed projects to offer preventive maintenance and repairs,” says Periañez. “We ensure the system operates at its best over time for the homeowners. Our service doesn’t end when the installation is complete—ongoing care ensures the technology always performs at its best.
“We have a cloud-based system for monitoring, diagnostics and maintenance. And our team speaks multiple languages to assist any number of client needs. We think this level of support is integral to maintaining the systems we install.”
The two 9U racks house audio control, such as amplifiers and audio processors, alongside network switches or routers to distribute the home’s internet and communication systems. Below sits a 2U section, reserved for the fan to cool the equipment and maintain optimal performance.
The integrator also went the extra mile to ensure the family could both use and understand the systems. “After our presentation of the finished project, we provide a manual compiling information about the home’s systems,” says Periañez.
“The manual is available in both hard copy and digital versions to be updated as needed, particularly after visits from our technicians. This guarantees the clients always have access to the most current information about their home’s technology.”
Using Lutron to reflect the order and wellness found in nature, this home not only delivers the stability sought by its residents but also showcases the superpowers of smart home integration. Centralised lighting, audio and climate control in an attractive user interface set the scene for a new type of environmentally friendly, high-end residential bridging the best of design and technology.
Tech-Spec
2N Indoor Touch Stations
2N IP Verso Video Doorphone with Touch Keypad
Airzone Webserver HUB, Blueface Zero Touch Thermostats, Individual Zone Modules and Centralised Acuazone Controller
Architettura Sonora Medium Cylinder Concrete White Landscape Speakers
Delta Light Linear, Recessed and On-Floor MONOPOL Outdoor Projectors with IP68-rated Connectors
Lutron Alena QS Curtain Track (custom fabric integration and Pull-to-Start feature) and Roller QS automated shading
Lutron HomeWorks QSX Processor, DIN Rail Modules (Relays, Dimmers, Sensor Interfaces), DALI Control Modules, Palladium Keypads (engraved, custom finishes) and Pico Wireless Keypads
Lutron Presence Sensors and Time-Based Lighting Automation, Motion Sensors for Indoor and Outdoor Automation
Sonance Visual Performance Series Flush In-Ceiling Indoor Speakers
Sonos Amp
All images: Charly Simon Photo