Recently, Jardins Tramuntana was honored by Luxury Lifestyle Awards with the award for Best Luxury Landscape Architecture for Son Bunyola Hotel by Sir Richard Branson in Mallorca, Spain. In this exclusive conversation, Alexander Chetchikov, President of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, speaks with Joan Nadal, Founder & CEO, and Lourdes Vázquez, Director of Jardins Tramuntana, to explore their insights on luxury, design, and the evolving world of landscape architecture.

Alexander Chetchikov: Congratulations on Jardins Tramuntana’s incredible win! What makes the Son Bunyola Hotel project so special to you personally?

Joan Nadal & Lourdes Vázquez:
The opportunity to participate in a project of this magnitude is, without a doubt, an honor for our studio. We face the challenge with the sensitivity and respect it deserves, as it is a 300-hectare property located in the spectacular Sierra de Tramuntana, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

This recognition as a cultural landscape highlights the interaction between natural elements and human activity. An example of this dialogue is the magnificent Son Bunyola estate, which contains an impressive 16th century manor house, today converted into the hotel’s main building.

Working to recover the beauty of the past is, in itself, a profoundly beautiful act. And the fact is that, in front of us, there was the greatest of inspirations: the Sierra de Tramuntana itself, the starting point for creating coherent, sensitive and respectful spaces with this very special place.

AC: How would you define the true essence of luxury in an outdoor environment?

JN & LV:
Luxury is an experience.

Outdoors, it is the experience of a space that invites us to reconnect with our most instinctive and innate relationship with nature.

It is the subtle perfume of lavender, the vibrant colors of a bougainvillea, the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves, the calm rhythm of the plants….

It is the texture of the stones, their tones, the character they acquire with the passage of time.

It is the sound of water sliding in a fountain or the serene coolness of a pond.

It is the warmth of the fire in a night filled with aromas and calm.

To live in such an environment, to let yourself be embraced by that silent beauty, that is luxury.

AC: In your opinion, how does luxury landscape design evolve while maintaining authenticity and a strong connection?

JN & LV:
Landscaping is a living act; its essence is movement. It is impossible to project a space without imagining its different moments over time. We design with an eye to the future, to give value to the present.

Luxury landscaping must evolve harmoniously, flowing with its surroundings without forcing it to impose itself on the space. We cannot talk about evolution without considering sustainability. And sustainability, in turn, invites us to take a closer look at nature and its perfect interactions, which allow life to continue to unfold.

She, nature, must be our main reference when it comes to creating spaces of true luxury.

AC: What are the must-have elements that transform a landscape from beautiful to truly luxurious?

JN & LV:
Details are fundamental to transform the common into something exceptional.

The finishes, the way materials and textures interact, quality above all else.

An overview of the whole: carefully chosen elements that work together in harmony to create a space that flows naturally and transmits the sensation of having always been there.

Because to create a luxury space, no element can be left to random chance.

AC: Looking at the broader landscape design industry, what trends are you seeing that excite you the most right now?

JN & LV:
There are some current trends that resonate deeply with our vision of landscaping.

The global situation requires us to adopt a more conscious approach to the environmental impact that the spaces we design can have. Today, we observe a clear inclination to more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.

We speak of regenerative gardens, low-maintenance spaces, a return to native flora and low water consumption.

Of the smart use of vegetation as a climate regulator, and of its integration as an essential component in the spaces we inhabit and pass through every day.
Our enthusiasm is nurtured by a vision where beauty is timeless, harmony is an essential language and sustainability is an unavoidable responsibility.

AC: How do you see sustainability and luxury coexisting in the future of landscape architecture?

JN & LV:
Luxury landscape architecture is deeply enriched when it integrates sustainability principles.

Smart and conscious planning of a landscape project brings real comfort to those who habit the spaces: from heat regulation through water and vegetation, to air purification -both indoors and outdoors-, or access to clean water through natural purification systems that do not require the use of chemical products. The possibilities are many to provide tangible value. 

In this context, the concept of biophilia takes on a fundamental role. Understood as the innate human need to connect with nature, biophilia contributes to our well-being and therefore becomes essential when we talk about luxury.

Coexistence between sustainability and luxury is not only possible: it is necessary and unavoidable.

AC: What innovations in technology or materials are shaping the next generation of outdoor spaces?

JN & LV:
It all starts with the efficient use of the available resources.

Water reuse is perhaps one of the most evident examples, but not the only one.

Domotics applied to smart irrigation systems, in combination with humidity sensors, can significantly reduce water consumption.

There are also solutions such as gel polymers, which retain soil moisture for longer, or the use of gravels, helping to prevent evaporation and the growth of unwanted vegetation.

Technology opens up even more possibilities: drones to obtain aerial images, analyze the state of the terrain and vegetation; or broad-spectrum lighting systems that emulate sunlight, allowing the optimal development of plants indoors.

Undoubtedly, technology and the ingenious use of available materials are fundamental partners for designing the gardens of the future.

AC: What advice would you offer young designers hoping to make their mark in luxury landscape architecture today?

JN & LV:
A solid technical formation in landscape architecture is the starting point to enter into the world of luxury landscaping. 

So is empathy: knowing how to interpret the desires, needs and expectations of our clients. Understanding what they are really looking for.

To solve the challenges that may occur in a creative and functional way, without losing vision of the concept that guides the project.

Knowing how to set aside our own likes and dislikes to focus on the dreams of those who have placed their trust in us, always advising our clients in the best way possible.
And, above all, never leave the heart aside when you are creating, because to ignore emotion can leave even the most impeccable project without a soul.

For more information, please visit jardinstramuntana.com

All Images Courtesy of Jardins Tramuntana (Unless stated otherwise.)