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Small Houses in Uruguay: How Three Studios Build Light on Rural and Coastal Sites

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In Uruguay, small-scale residential projects increasingly occupy rural and coastal landscapes, from the hills of Villa Serrana to the maritime forests along the Atlantic coast. Building in these areas often requires structural materials that balance durability, thermal efficiency, and transport feasibility. In these environments, projects rely heavily on materials such as engineered timber framing, steel structural members, exterior wood cladding, or offsite fabrication. These design choices not only help to reduce the weight of raw materials that must be transported over unpaved access roads, but also make construction more feasible in remote locations. The context of the projects in this collection also seems to have played a limiting role regarding floor areas, which were kept at 60 m² or less to reduce structural material requirements and the impact on the terrain.

Small Houses in Uruguay: How Three Studios Build Light on Rural and Coastal Sites - Image 1 of 4Small Houses in Uruguay: How Three Studios Build Light on Rural and Coastal Sites - Image 2 of 4Small Houses in Uruguay: How Three Studios Build Light on Rural and Coastal Sites - Image 3 of 4Small Houses in Uruguay: How Three Studios Build Light on Rural and Coastal Sites - Image 4 of 4Small Houses in Uruguay: How Three Studios Build Light on Rural and Coastal Sites - More Images+ 3

Villa Gaspar Hotel / Mecba.arq

Villa Gaspar Hotel / Mecba.arq - Exterior Photography, Hotels, ForestVilla Gaspar Hotel / Mecba.arq - Interior Photography, Hotels, Door, FacadeVilla Gaspar Hotel / Mecba.arq - HotelsVilla Gaspar Hotel / Mecba.arq - Interior Photography, Hotels, Bedroom, BedVilla Gaspar Hotel / Mecba.arq - More Images+ 39

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Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
  • Architects: Mecba.arq
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  460 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2023
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  USG, Corona Centroamérica, Pris

Playa Hermosa Refuge / bercetche estudio

Playa Hermosa Refuge / bercetche estudio - Exterior Photography, Houses, Garden, ForestPlaya Hermosa Refuge / bercetche estudio - Interior Photography, Houses, Facade, DoorPlaya Hermosa Refuge / bercetche estudio - Interior Photography, Houses, Table, ChairPlaya Hermosa Refuge / bercetche estudio - Exterior Photography, Houses, Garden, FacadePlaya Hermosa Refuge / bercetche estudio - More Images+ 13

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Playa Hermosa, Uruguay
  • Architects: bercetche estudio
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  35 m²
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  ABB, Acqua system, Firmfit, Knauf, Niwa, +3

Jícaro House / Mauricio Quirós Pacheco

Jícaro House / Mauricio Quirós Pacheco - Exterior Photography, Houses, FacadeJícaro House / Mauricio Quirós Pacheco - Exterior Photography, Houses, Garden, FacadeJícaro House / Mauricio Quirós Pacheco - Exterior Photography, Houses, Garden, Facade, DoorJícaro House / Mauricio Quirós Pacheco - Exterior Photography, Houses, Garden, Door, Facade, LightingJícaro House / Mauricio Quirós Pacheco - More Images+ 30

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Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
  • Architects: Mauricio Quirós Pacheco
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2021

Achioté Villas / Formafatal

Achioté Villas / Formafatal - Exterior Photography, Houses, Forest, CoastAchioté Villas / Formafatal - Exterior Photography, Houses, Garden, Facade, CoastAchioté Villas / Formafatal - Interior Photography, HousesAchioté Villas / Formafatal - Interior Photography, Houses, Garden, Table, Chair, ForestAchioté Villas / Formafatal - More Images+ 45

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Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
  • Architects: Formafatal
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2022
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Louis Poulsen, Artemide, INGO MAUREN
  • Professionals: Different Design

Atelier Villa | Art Villas Costa Rica / Formafatal

Atelier Villa | Art Villas Costa Rica / Formafatal - Exterior Photography, Hotels, Garden, FacadeAtelier Villa | Art Villas Costa Rica / Formafatal - Exterior Photography, Hotels, Garden, Facade, ForestAtelier Villa | Art Villas Costa Rica / Formafatal - Interior Photography, Hotels, Bedroom, Beam, Door, Facade, BedAtelier Villa | Art Villas Costa Rica / Formafatal - Exterior Photography, Hotels, Garden, FacadeAtelier Villa | Art Villas Costa Rica / Formafatal - More Images+ 34

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Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
  • Architects: Formafatal
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  326 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2019
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Baxter, Bomma, Manufaktur+, Marilou, Notre Monde, +3
  • Professionals: atelier Flera

Costa Rica Treehouse / Olson Kundig

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Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
  • Architects: Olson Kundig
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  2140 ft²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017

El Rancho from Playa Hermosa / MBAD Arquitectos

El Rancho from Playa Hermosa / MBAD Arquitectos - Houses, FacadeEl Rancho from Playa Hermosa / MBAD Arquitectos - Houses, Stairs, Handrail, Door, Column, ChairEl Rancho from Playa Hermosa / MBAD Arquitectos - Houses, Facade, DoorEl Rancho from Playa Hermosa / MBAD Arquitectos - Houses, Door, FacadeEl Rancho from Playa Hermosa / MBAD Arquitectos - More Images+ 27

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Playa Hermosa, Uruguay