Mountain Retreat

According to the architects iHouse Estudio, this prefab in Punto del Este, Urugay, aims to immerse the residents in the forested surroundings. “Continuing with this idea,” they add, “the house features a flowing interior with no interior walls. 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."

The top level includes a loft-like kitchen, dining area, and living room which opens up to the outdoor deck overlooking the gardens.

The resulting home is overflowing with greenery—and it's the perfect place for its owner, Patricio Martinez, and his girlfriend, Nati Malamute, to unwind.

A mirrored wall in the courtyard bounces light into the living room, where a Sticotti lamp stands next to a desk by Buenos Aires designer Antonella Marini.

"I wanted sunlight, good ventilation, and an intimate relationship between the interiors and exteriors,

Landscape designer Ignacio Montes de Ocafilled the house with native South American plants. A rising star in Buenos Aires design circles, Montes de Oca drew inspiration from his northern home province of Misiones and its tropical vegetation, adapting a lush jungle look to the temperate local climate. He chose plants that would eventually grow to engulf the house.

The home is entered through a firewood room that has the original stone walls. This transitional space pays tribute to the home’s mountain setting and leads into a mudroom and the main living area.

Front facade in snow