Lifestyle - December 10, 2018

Designing a project in Lake Nona is like refining a diamond

When you hear the word luxury, you might think of five-star resorts, clothes from top fashion labels and jewelry made with flawless diamonds.

But when those in the Central Florida real estate market think luxury, they think Lake Nona.

“Designing a project in Lake Nona is like refining a diamond,” said Aaron Barcellona, principal of Arturo Barcellona Homes. “It’s creating something unique, optimized and sophisticated.”

Considered one of Central Florida‘s hottest communities, Lake Nona is 15th among the nation’s top-selling master-planned communities as reported by the Orlando Business Journal. According to John Burns Real Estate Consulting, more than 523 homes were sold in 2017.  Over 11,000 residents call the community home.

And designing homes there is just as exclusive. Some of the largest U.S. construction companies like Lennar, David Weekley Homes, Ashton Woods and Taylor Morrison make a living by building high-end properties in Orlando, Florida. However, only a handful of construction firms—Barcellona Homes included—can claim they have designed the custom-made, deluxe homes that occupy the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club development.

The Tavistock Group, owner of Lake Nona Golf & Country Club as well as more than 200 other companies around the world, granted Barcellona Homes the contract for Lake Nona because of its reputation in delivering unique and exclusive designs. Today, alongside the Phil Kean Design Group, Barcellona Homes is one of the most recognized names in the custom home construction business.

Aaron Barcellona said he is flattered to bring his creative designs to the exquisite landscape of Lake Nona. With centuries-old trees, endless lakes and a golf course carefully crafted to host world-class competitions, it’s no wonder celebrities like Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter, Annika Sörenstam, Graeme McDowell, Yani Tseng, Victor Martínez, Carlos Gonzalez, CiCi Bellis, Jim CourierLou Holtz and others call it home.

Characterized by fine details, luxurious homes and on-time delivery, Barcellona Homes boasts the best trade connections and an experienced team. Among the company’s finest is the renowned architecture firm Rabits & Romano Architecture. Rabits & Romano and Aaron Barcellona have worked together for over four years and have undergone seven projects at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club.

Rabits & Romano has been awarded by the Associated Builders and Contractors for work on Ronaldo Academy of Orlando and by XI Grande Prêmio de Arquitetura Corporativa for work on Banco do Brasil in Orlando. Fulvio Romano, one of the partners, was even hand-selected by Orlando’s mayor to be the Appearance Review Board, tasked with analyzing developments coming to downtown.

Fulvio claims designing houses in Lake Nona is the dream of every architect, thanks to the high-quality standards and construction rules set by the Design Review Committee (DRC) of Tavistock Group. They’re considered extremely strict, pushing designers to be creative and to carefully observe the boundaries of the most sophisticated housing complex of the region.

“As soon as the briefing is ready, I go straight to the construction site to discover the essence surrounding it,” says Romano. “To architects, everything matters—the wind blowing in all directions, the trees and flowerbeds that make up the landscape, the position of the sun, the sounds. All these elements work together to create a unique living experience.”

Because these elements are so important, and landscaping is essential in Barcellona projects. That’s why Barcellona and Romano have cultivated a team of the most remarkable names in worldwide landscaping, such as James Muller from Agora Design, developer of Universal Studios’ gardens; as well as the Brazilian master Burle Marx.

Attention to even the smallest details is important inside the exclusive gates of Lake Nona, and Romano and Barcellona Homes place high value on it. Romano points to the innovative new concept homes that use alley lots to provide exclusive access to a garage behind the property. The inside pool is also completely integrated with the highly detailed architecture seen throughout the property.  In addition to these great features, the low level of maintenance needed adds yet another value to the projects.

Rabits & Romano has already begun to prove its competence in the Lake Nona area with two of its current ongoing projects, the Montessori School at Lake Nona and new medical clinics.

Barcellona Homes looks to continue that level of excellence, further refining the Lake Nona area like the true gem it is.

Lake Nona Golf & Country Club