Martin Gomez has been visiting the small beachside community of José Ignacio in southeastern Uruguay for more than 40 years. When he was a child, his family used to take day trips to the area for picnics and long afternoons at the beach. When he and his wife, Daniela, had children of their own, they continued that tradition, spending summers along the shore. But the area has changed some since Martin was a kid.

“José Ignacio wasn’t easy to get to because the roads weren’t developed,” he says of the formerly sleepy fishing village. “But it’s become very popular over the years.” According to Daniela, who now owns a home goods store in town, it’s not just vacationing Argentinians and Brazilians anymore. “Now, there are people from other countries coming to live here. It’s calm, and you can live a simple, sophisticated life.”

And that’s exactly what Daniela and Martin, an architect, wanted for themselves. With his self-named firm, Martin drew on more than three decades’ experience constructing homes for others in the area to create a permanent residence for his family along the Atlantic Ocean. He applied his nuanced understanding of coastal construction, from choosing weather-resistant materials to building light on the land, and combined them with input from Daniela and the kids.

“We all had opinions,” Martin recalls. “It was like playing chess every day with the plans. Daniela had a lot to say—she really thinks about how she wants to use a space. For example, where she wants to sit, and where she wants to frame the views. Sometimes I get more caught up in the hard design details, so it was a good combination.”

At just less than 5,000 square feet, the square-shaped home comprises a series of rooms (including five bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and cinema) organized around a central courtyard. They’re connected by outdoor spaces that take advantage of views and maximize light inside the home in the winter. The whole plan, a single level, is set on stilts, “like it is tiptoeing on top of the dunes,” Martin says, giving it sweeping views. The outdoor spaces—nooks, seating areas, and a corridor running around the courtyard—enhance its connection to nature, a core tenet of Martin’s architectural practice.

When choosing materials, he and Daniela prized simplicity. The interiors are fashioned from wood, while structural elements are reinforced concrete. “We used Uruguay eucalyptus throughout,” Martin says. “It underwent a waxing process that removes any shine and makes it smooth. It’s very beautiful.” Daniela chose complementary decor in neutral colors and natural textures that create a laid-back yet elevated coastal-chic ambiance. Furniture is minimal and modern, and positioned for views out the numerous floor-to-ceiling windows that slide open to enhance the home’s indoor/outdoor feel.

Despite the beachfront location—which brings to mind mild weather and warm temperatures—winters in José Ignacio can be cool and stormy. While many homes in the area are better equipped for summer vacations, Daniela and Martin’s is outfitted for year-round use. “It has to be a little bit of a bunker,” says Daniela, noting that double windows and low ceilings help with heat retention. “The rooms aren’t all open to each other, so it feels like the house embraces you in the winter.”

But the common areas—a plunge pool, the outdoor patios, and a movie room complete with a miniature set of stadium seating—bring everyone together. “When it comes down to it, we wanted a simple house at the beach,” Daniela says. “A cozy place with a table for gathering, lots of chairs, and a place to play cards with family and friends.”

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Project Credits:

Architecture: Martin Gomez Arquitectos (@martingomezarquitectos)

Builder: Planix Construcciones

Structural and Civil Engineer: Ingenieria Civil, Nicolás Méndez Díaz

Landscape: Martin Gomez Arquitectos

Lighting Design: Lucia Urioste

Interior Design: Martin Gomez Arquitectos and La Esteña

Cabinetry Design and Installation: Landarte