A Prefab Cabin Camouflaged in a South American Forest Glows From Within

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Project Details:

Location: Punta del Este, Uruguay

Architect: iHouse Estudio / @ihouse.uy

Year: 2022

Footprint: 969 square feet

Photographer: Aldo Lanzi / @aldo.lanzi

From the Architect: "This idea began with the client’s initiative to live immersed in the forest, always in direct contact with the surroundings. We based the approach on midcentury homes, specifically Case Study houses. This was an important starting point for the main concept—trying to reinterpret single-family houses.

"The idea is that when you’re inside the house, you feel that you are outside and within the woods. To create this sensation, we started with two basic building blocks, which articulate the main spaces and break the limit with the outside, diluting it with two parallel openings that make a complete, flexible space. Continuing with this idea, the house features a flowing interior with no interior walls.

"With its black and timber facade, the house is camouflaged in the forest. Inside, blocks contain bathrooms, a kitchen, and closets, freeing the rest of the spaces to connect with the setting. The forest is framed at all times."