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As Nicolás Tovo and Teresa Sarmiento of La Base embraced modular design as part of their architectural practice, they noticed that prospective clients were wary of prefabricated construction. So the duo teamed up with Place, an Argentine prefab builder, to make a proof of concept just outside the Patagonian resort town of Bariloche.

The whole project comprised only three months of design, two months of production (some 90 percent of which was completed at a Buenos Aires factory), one day of assembly, and five days of adjustments. The structure consists of just four 9-foot-8-inch-by-19-foot-7-inch modules supported by a foundation plate. “If we want to move it, we can,” says Teresa. “We could get a crane and disassemble it and then reassemble it on the coast.”

In the evening, the house looks like a lantern. Originally, the homeowners planned to paint the house a light color. “Bassel encouraged us to go bold,” says Ming. “The contrast at night is more intense.” The exterior is painted in Calico Blue from Benjamin Moore, which is a dark green.

A recent painting by Mark hangs on the door between the living room and bedroom but might soon be swapped out. “The idea is that I can make a piece in the studio, put it up and live with it for a while, and then change it for something new,” says Mark.

In this model, the client has customized the exterior to be black wood.

The walnut-framed bay window is a favorite spot for the children. “My eldest son, the moment he arrives at home after school, makes a beeline for that pop out,” says Bonnie. “He wants to eat his lunch right there build his Legos in that space.”

The mix of plywood helped save on costs, adds visual interest to the space, and serves as an example for Tim’s clients.

The upper volume of the blackened pine–clad home juts out toward the horizon for sweeping views of the ocean.

The company customized a floor plan for the ADU that would accommodate and incorporate existing fruit trees in the yard.

The open-plan kitchen, dining, and living areas are washed in sunlight that streams in through floor-to-ceiling windows and doors.

The kitchen is outfitted with bright white cabinetry, counters, and a backsplash that provide a fresh and airy aesthetic for the interior.

Built-in storage is featured in every room, including the kitchen, of the two-bedroom ADU.

The expansive windows reflect the greenery of the yard, blurring the line between the interior and the outdoors.

Fruit trees, a hedge, a vegetable garden, and a chicken coop are situated between the main house and the ADU, helping to provide a feeling of privacy.

The sunken living room features a built-in sofa and loveseat.

“The cool thing about the van is the casualness of it. It’s like, ‘Hey, we know somebody in Seattle. Let’s just go park in the driveway and hang out,’ ” says Rachel.