Southport, Connecticut couple Hannah and Jamie Lissette longed for a remote family getaway in the South American countryside. After vacationing in Uruguay, they dreamed of a second home where they could unplug and soak up the southern hemisphere’s warm, vibrant summers.

They found a 59-acre property near the beach town Jose Ignacio and the rural village Pueblo Garzón, and soon their dream came to fruition. The rolling prairie landscape appealed to the family members, who wanted to immerse themselves in nature—and the plot’s close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean added to its magical allure.

“Hannah and Jamie imagined in Smokewood Garzón a residence capable of condensing the local country imagery, which is reminiscent of rural life in Montana, where Hannah spent her childhood,” says Andrés Gobba, director and cofounder of MAPA Architects. “They also thought of a place where Jamie could cook his own meals around the fire.”

The property included a rural ranch-style structure typical of the Uruguayan countryside. The well-maintained wooden residence had a tin roof, small windows, an open interior with a stone stove, a basement, and a terrace.

The couple tapped the architecture firm MAPA, which has offices in Uruguay, Brazil, and Los Angeles, to transform the structure into a contemporary getaway for their family of four. “The renovation respected the essence and structure, while introducing contemporary comforts,” Gobba says.

MAPA embraced the original wood structure’s simple silhouette and sloping roofline. “The most important original space that has been maintained is the covered gallery, which opens onto the landscape. It’s typical of this type of vernacular construction in the countryside,” Gobba says. “Its simplicity and material austerity seemed to us an important value to preserve and highlight.”

MAPA preserved the existing wood and the ranch stove in the original structure, which is where the open-concept living/dining/kitchen area now stands. For simplicity and warmth, the living area’s ceiling, walls, and floors are clad in oak boards, which complement the original log beams that speak to the history and vernacular of the old ranch house. The transverse walls, where the kitchen and wood stove are located, are made of black-stained oak laminate that contrasts with the natural wood.

In addition to renovating the main structure, MAPA added two new wings (one at each end of the house) to make room for sleeping quarters. The contemporary additions feature new materials, like black corrugated sheet metal siding, that contrast with the original wood structure.

“We decided to differentiate the treatment of the facades of the original ranch area, and that of the new constructions, so that the history of the house itself could be told through its architecture,” Gobba says.

A wooden deck and a concrete pool stand behind the home, adding more outdoor living space to the rural retreat. “The pool is a fundamental element for the new life experiences that take place at Smokewood Garzón after the renovation,” Gobba says. “It is an area for relaxation and enjoyment in hot summers in the countryside.”

The home stands miles away from water and power infrastructure, so MAPA had to get creative with self-sufficient systems. Solar panels supply electricity, bottled propane gas powers the water heater, and a spring well serves as the property’s water source. The family is thinking of expanding the home’s energy capacity by adding wind turbines in the future.

“Smokewood Garzón aims to live comfortably off the grid,” Gobba says. “This is fundamental for us, as it speaks of new and primitive ways of relating to remote landscapes. The process was not easy, as we are in a remote location, but we are very proud to have achieved it.”

While the family is away, the retreat can be booked through Airbnb.

More from MAPA Architects:

A Brazilian Couple’s Prefab Cabin Is the Perfect Outpost for Forest Bathing

A Remote Prefab in Uruguay Is Completely Self-Sufficient

A Coastal Prefab Cabin in Uruguay Rose in Just Six Hours

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: MAPA Architects / @mapaarq