# Anja House: A Sustainable Retreat in Punta del Este Architects Andrés García and Marcelo Mederos integrate modern design within a Uruguayan pine forest. - **Source:** [ArchDaily Global](https://brifing.si/source/b856ce4a-b51b-4705-954b-40620e034caa) - **Published:** 2026-10-19 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/fac17496-b857-4376-aa44-fcae8037cf3a ## Project 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. ## Landscape 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. ## Material 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. ## Architectural 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. ## Regional 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. ## Execution 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. ## Structural 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. ## Significance 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. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.archdaily.com/1187114/anja-house-ihouse-estudio — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._