Anja House: A Sustainable Retreat in Punta del Este
Architects Andrés García and Marcelo Mederos integrate modern design within a Uruguayan pine forest.
1Project Overview and Scope
Casa Anja is a residential project completed in 2023 by iHouse estudio in Punta del Este, Uruguay. Spanning 158 square meters, the structure serves as a flexible holiday retreat. Architects Andrés García and Marcelo Mederos designed the home to accommodate family stays during summer months, winter breaks, and various weekend getaways throughout the year.
2Landscape Integration Strategy
The site is situated within a dense pine forest in La Barra. Rather than treating the existing vegetation as an obstacle, the design team utilized the natural environment as the primary starting point for the architectural layout. This approach ensures a direct, seamless relationship between the interior living spaces and the surrounding coastal forest landscape.
3Material Selection and Application
The construction utilizes a combination of wood and steel to define its structural and aesthetic character. Specific manufacturers provided essential components, including Vibia for lighting, Aluminions del Uruguay for metalwork, and Maguinor Maderas for timber elements. Silestone and Manto were also integrated into the material palette to ensure durability and a refined finish.
4Architectural Design Philosophy
The design focuses on creating a retreat that functions effectively across different seasons. By prioritizing the connection to the forest, the architects established a spatial flow that emphasizes natural light and ventilation. The 158-square-meter footprint is optimized to provide both private areas and communal spaces suitable for a family’s varied holiday requirements.
5Regional Context and Location
Located in Punta del Este, the project benefits from the unique microclimate of La Barra. This region is known for its pine forests and proximity to the Atlantic coast. The house reflects the broader trend of residential architecture in Uruguay, which increasingly emphasizes sustainable site integration and the use of locally sourced construction materials.
6Execution and Project Delivery
Led by Andrés García and Marcelo Mederos, the project reached completion in 2023. The documentation process involved detailed coordination with multiple suppliers to maintain the design intent. Aldo Lanzi provided the photographic record, capturing how the structure interacts with the forest canopy and the specific textures of the wood and steel materials used.
7Structural and Functional Efficiency
The house functions as a high-performance retreat designed for intermittent occupancy. The structural choice of steel allows for open floor plans that maximize the visual connection to the pines. Meanwhile, the wood elements provide thermal and aesthetic warmth, balancing the industrial nature of the steel frame within the natural forest setting.
8Significance of Residential Retreats
Casa Anja exemplifies the shift toward residential projects that prioritize environmental harmony over traditional site clearing. By successfully integrating 158 square meters of living space into a sensitive pine forest, the project highlights the potential for modern architecture to coexist with nature, providing a blueprint for future seasonal homes in coastal regions.
Original article: ArchDaily Global — Anja House: A Sustainable Retreat in Punta del Este