A New Prefab Hotel in Uruguay Seems to Melt Into the Landscape

Thanks to a sleek, mirrored facade, these prefab cabins at a new hotel and winery in Uruguay all but disappear into the mountains.

Nestled in the rugged mountains of Maldonado in Eastern Uruguay—equidistant from Punta del Este, José Ignacio, and Pueblo Garzón—the new Sacromonte Landscape Hotel is comprised of a winery, a farm-to-table restaurant, and 13 prefabricated cabins camouflaged in the spectacular environment. The resort is open and will be fully operational by September 2018—springtime in the Southern Hemisphere.

Designed by the Montevideo–based MAPA Architects, four of these landscape cabins have already been installed on-site, their rectilinear forms almost disappearing into their natural surroundings, thanks to the use of smoky, one-way mirrored facades. 

The mirrored structures are seamlessly integrated into the landscape.

The mirrored structures are seamlessly integrated into the landscape.

The structures were prefabricated in a factory in metropolitan Montevideo in just under 10 weeks before being transported to the site. The project employed sustainable building techniques—in addition to the use of prefab technology, the architects employed low-E glass, living roofs, and an eco-friendly wastewater treatment system to make Sacromonte a much greener venture. 

Each cabin has a private deck with a circular pool. The finishings are simple and expressive, and the materials are used in harmony with nature. 

Each cabin has a private deck with a circular pool. The finishings are simple and expressive, and the materials are used in harmony with nature. 

The modular, metal structures are a blend of steel and light steel framing. A one-way mirror covers each cabin with an almost magical glaze. In sharp contrast, the rear facades of the cabins are constructed on-site with locally sourced timber trunks, as are the platforms supporting the modules, which have been carefully constructed using local stones. 

Local materials were used for on-site works, such as cut timber trunks for the rear wall and locally sourced stone for the platforms.  

Local materials were used for on-site works, such as cut timber trunks for the rear wall and locally sourced stone for the platforms.  

The sleek, modern interiors feature minimalist furnishings, dark stone floors, and light oak walls.

The sleek, modern interiors feature minimalist furnishings, dark stone floors, and light oak walls.

The wall of windows provides a stunning, panoramic view of the local landscape.

The wall of windows provides a stunning, panoramic view of the local landscape.

The nightscape is equally stunning. 

The nightscape is equally stunning. 

An overhead view shows how the structure seamlessly integrates into its surroundings.

An overhead view shows how the structure seamlessly integrates into its surroundings.

The mirrored facade reflects the sky and blends into the landscape. 

The mirrored facade reflects the sky and blends into the landscape. 

The prefab cabin is an arresting sight at night. 

The prefab cabin is an arresting sight at night. 

Cabins at the Sacromonte Landscape Hotel start from $700 per night.

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: MAPA Architects, Partners: Luciano Andrades, Matías Carballal, Andrés Gobba, Mauricio López, Silvio Machado
Project Team: Pablo Courreges, Diego Morera, Emiliano Lago, Fabián Sarubbi, Sandra Rodríguez, Rafael Solano, Agustín Dieste, Alba Álvarez, Marcos Gómara, Victoria Reibakas.
Assembly and installation: MTA Ingeniería
Engineering Project: Lagomarsino & Asoc.
Windows: Alushop+Alumex (Sapa)
Woodwork: Cosia y Pombo
Furniture: Estudio Claro, Estudio Diario, BoConcept, Don Baez
Lighting: Trios Lighting (Marset)
Automation: Lutron
Audio: Bang & Olufsen
Marble: Anibal Abbate
Solar panels: Chromagem
Green Roof: Ecotelhado
Woods: Maguinor Maderas
Pool: Mileto

Jennifer Baum Lagdameo
Dwell Contributor
Jennifer Baum Lagdameo is a freelance design writer who has lived in Washington DC, Brooklyn, Tokyo, Manila, and is currently exploring the Pacific Northwest from her home base in Portland, Oregon.

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