Balleneros
2025
Punta Ballena, Uruguay
The house is located on a unique oceanfront lot in Punta Ballena, unfolding across three levels that follow the steep slope of the terrain. It culminates in a striking ending over the rocks, with unobstructed views of the sea and the western horizon.
Taking full advantage of this privileged setting, the different volumes are staggered in plan and opened strategically to ensure fantastic views from every space. Key areas such as the double-height living room, the master suite, and the terraces open completely toward the sea, while the façade facing the street remains more closed off, integrating respectfully with the existing urban scale.
The architecture unfolds through large, parallel planes of exposed concrete — bold yet perceived as light thanks to their proportions and the suggestive transparencies that filter through them.
The base level of the house, unlike the ground and upper floors, is entirely built in stone. Inside, the natural rock of the terrain is left exposed, anchoring the house to its surroundings and creating a unique aesthetic. Natural stone is highlighted throughout the design via patios and internal views, with openings and voids connecting the different levels.
The materials were chosen in harmony with the local architectural language, with a focus on minimalism and authenticity. Lapacho wood is used on the façades — both as cladding and for shutters — while the exposed concrete features board-formed textures on slabs and perimeter walls. Natural stone flooring extends seamlessly from the interior to the exterior, continuing toward the infinity pool that overlooks the bay.
Vegetation is an essential part of the design, framing the different levels with generous planter-barriers on the upper floor and accompanying pathways and entrances throughout. It acts as a natural screen that provides privacy from the inside while offering a more organic and integrated view from the outside.
The basement is conceived as an open-plan level, housing a spacious playroom, gym, and wine cellar, all with uninterrupted sea views. This is achieved by fully embracing the site’s slope, reinforcing the project’s guiding principle: an architecture that follows the natural terrain, preserving a continuous relationship between interior and exterior.
Video Series 1: Balleneros
2025
Punta Ballena, Uruguay
The house is located on a unique oceanfront lot in Punta Ballena, unfolding across three levels that follow the steep slope of the terrain. It culminates in a striking ending over the rocks, with unobstructed views of the sea and the western horizon.
Taking full advantage of this privileged setting, the different volumes are staggered in plan and opened strategically to ensure fantastic views from every space. Key areas such as the double-height living room, the master suite, and the terraces open completely toward the sea, while the façade facing the street remains more closed off, integrating respectfully with the existing urban scale.
The architecture unfolds through large, parallel planes of exposed concrete — bold yet perceived as light thanks to their proportions and the suggestive transparencies that filter through them.
The base level of the house, unlike the ground and upper floors, is entirely built in stone. Inside, the natural rock of the terrain is left exposed, anchoring the house to its surroundings and creating a unique aesthetic. Natural stone is highlighted throughout the design via patios and internal views, with openings and voids connecting the different levels.
The materials were chosen in harmony with the local architectural language, with a focus on minimalism and authenticity. Lapacho wood is used on the façades — both as cladding and for shutters — while the exposed concrete features board-formed textures on slabs and perimeter walls. Natural stone flooring extends seamlessly from the interior to the exterior, continuing toward the infinity pool that overlooks the bay.
Vegetation is an essential part of the design, framing the different levels with generous planter-barriers on the upper floor and accompanying pathways and entrances throughout. It acts as a natural screen that provides privacy from the inside while offering a more organic and integrated view from the outside.
The basement is conceived as an open-plan level, housing a spacious playroom, gym, and wine cellar, all with uninterrupted sea views. This is achieved by fully embracing the site’s slope, reinforcing the project’s guiding principle: an architecture that follows the natural terrain, preserving a continuous relationship between interior and exterior.