Where Design Meets the Land: Inside the Apes Hill Villa Journey

At Apes Hill, building a home starts long before a line is drawn or a foundation poured. It begins with a feeling. A quiet moment on the land. A view that catches your breath. The way light softens across the hills in the late afternoon. From that first step onto the soil, the journey to creating a villa here becomes something personal and collaborative, shaped as much by the environment as it is by the lives that will unfold within it.

We sat down with our in-house Design and Build team to explore what makes the villa journey at Apes Hill so distinct. From sustainability principles to personalised design and how the team works closely with overseas buyers, here’s what they had to say.

From plot to porch: The Villa process explained

The journey always begins with walking the land. The team takes time to explore different lots with owners, helping them understand how light moves, where the breezes come from, and how each site feels at different times of day. That first walk often shapes the entire project. People tend to fall for a particular view long before any designs are drawn.

Once a lot is selected, heads of terms are signed and a deposit is placed. At this point, the team encourages owners to spend more time on-site, seeing it in different conditions. 

When the contract tender process is complete, the team and the buyer collaborate on the design itself, either adapting one of Apes Hill’s signature villa styles, like the Pavilion or Villa Oasis, or creating something fully bespoke. Once building begins, the team is sure to provide regular progress reports, visual updates, and direct check-ins. The experience is designed to be thorough, transparent, and enjoyable.

Meet the Team behind the Villas

A tight-knit in-house group of about ten specialists - complete with Project Managers, Quantity Surveyors, Assistant PMs, and a Contracts Manager - they manage everything from the earliest planning conversations to final handover. It’s an end-to-end process that lets them guide every detail without disconnecting between design and delivery.

One thing that defines how they work is biophilic design. By planning homes and landscapes together, the villas feel like they’ve grown out of the land, not just been placed on it. This is especially important in a setting like Apes Hill, where the topography and natural elements are so defining.

At completion, a full snagging review is carried out. A six-month defect period follows before the final handover to operations and the Homeowners Association.

Most loved Villa features – What homeowners are asking for

There are definitely patterns. Most people want open, airy interiors that flow into shaded outdoor spaces. Views are a major factor, whether it’s a glimpse of the Caribbean Sea, a long view across the golf course, or even the tree canopy. Owners often ask for terraces that stay cool in the afternoon, spaces for entertaining, and smaller moments like sunrise balconies or tucked-away reading nooks.

Interestingly, what starts as a ‘nice to have’ often becomes non-negotiable once they’ve walked the site. One recent owner told us, “Once I stood on that plot and saw both oceans in a single breath, I knew we had to build around the view.”

Designing around nature – Not over it

At Apes Hill, our team ensures that we design with the land, not over it. Every home is carefully oriented to capture breeze, maximize natural light, and maintain long-range views. Passive cooling is a major focus. We integrate cross-ventilation, overhangs, and shading to keep homes comfortable without relying heavily on air conditioning.

Materiality plays a big role too. We favour local stone, sustainably sourced timber, and non-toxic finishes. Each home is finished with planting that blends into the wider environment. That way, the architecture doesn’t just sit in the landscape, it becomes part of it.

Built with the Planet in mind

Sustainability isn’t just something we layer on; it’s foundational. From the very beginning, materials are used that are healthier for both people and the environment. Rainwater harvesting systems, low-water planting, and solar-ready infrastructure are standard across our villas.

We also consider the broader ecosystem. Our landscaping is designed to promote biodiversity and soil health, and we take a light-touch approach to grading so that the natural topography is preserved wherever possible. Because Apes Hill is Audubon-certified, every decision contributes to a resort-wide commitment to environmental care, from the golf course to the honey we harvest on site.

Designing from afar – How overseas buyers stay involved

We know how important peace of mind is, especially when you're investing in a home from afar. Most of our buyers are not in Barbados full-time, so our team have developed a communication structure that keeps things personal and consistent.

They provide weekly updates with photos and key milestones. There’s always a point person available, whether that’s from the Sales team or the Project Management side. Owners are encouraged to visit whenever they can, but even if they can’t, the team always makes sure that they’re fully involved. One couple based in London built their entire home with us remotely and told us they never once felt out of the loop.

Advice for first-time Builders at Apes Hill

Start early. Get involved before any decisions are finalised, and spend time on the land. When the site is well understood, the design tends to come together more naturally. The role of the team is to guide and translate your lifestyle into a space that functions beautifully over time.

Also, give the process the time it needs. One of the great rewards of building at Apes Hill is knowing that your home is truly considered, not just in how it looks, but in how it feels to live in. For many of our owners, that becomes part of the legacy they’re building. Several families have already told us they’re creating something they hope will last for generations.

More than a home

What we’re really building here are lives well-lived. These homes are places where mornings begin with fresh air through open doors, and days end with family gathered on the terrace, watching the sun dip below the ridgeline. It’s the kind of lifestyle that becomes second nature.

One owner recently said that building their villa here was the first time they felt a home had truly grown with them. That’s what we aim for, not just good design, but something deeply personal and rooted in place.

Start your journey

Every villa at Apes Hill begins with a walk. If you're ready to explore what life here could look like, speak with our team to arrange a visit. Stand on the land. Take in the view. And start imagining the home that could take shape here; with you, and because of you.