This small and lovely house from Jose Ignacio, Uruguay may not look like much but it’s special because of the context. The design itself is super simple. Architecture studio Fábrica de casas went with a linear and elongated shape, like a rectangle clad in wood with cut-outs and openings that give it depth and break up the monotony and simplicity of the design.

The wood chosen for the exterior weathers naturally and changes color and textureIn addition to the small open deck there’s also a covered outdoor area adjacent to the house

The house was completed in 2020 and is situated on a rural plot. It’s not exactly what you’d expect to see in this particular context which is what helps its otherwise simple design stand out. On top of that, the house embraces simplicity in other ways too.

Most notably, the owner didn’t want any construction work to be going on so a structure with minimal impact on the land was chosen instead. That, combined with the overall aesthetic of the house make this a very authentic project.

The combined kitchen and dining area have a lovely view and subtle mood lightingThe wooden exterior allows the house to fit more naturally into its surroundingsThe living room opens onto the outdoors on two sidesThe house has a double orientation which gives it lots of light and nice views

The small footprint means only the basic functions could be included in the design. The house combines the usual common areas like the living and dining room and the kitchen into a single open volume.

These connect to a small wooden deck through a set of sliding glass doors and also get a nice view on the opposite side as well. That leaves just enough space for two bedrooms and a bathroom to complete the linear floor plan.

The wooden deck is level with the ground floor making the transition feel smoothThe bedrooms are decorate in a super simple way and with monochrome elementsA tall and narrow window gives the bathroom a glimpse at the surrounding landscape