Location: Soca, Canelones, Uruguay
Architectural Firm: iHouse estudio
Photography: Aldo Lanzi
Curated by: Valentina Díaz
Published: September 3, 2026
Main Facts
In an era defined by rapid urbanization and the constant hyper-connectivity of modern life, the desire to disconnect has never been more urgent. Responding to this contemporary need, architectural practice iHouse estudio has completed Casa Solís 21, a temporary weekend residence located in the tranquil rural setting of Soca, within the department of Canelones, Uruguay.
Conceived as a dedicated sanctuary for a family based in nearby Montevideo, Casa Solís 21 bridges the gap between rural immersion and urban accessibility. The project serves as an architectural machine for rest, family gathering, and psychological decompression. Rather than imposing an alien geometry onto the landscape, the design establishes a harmonious dialogue with the undulating topography, native flora, and expansive horizons characteristic of the Uruguayan countryside.
The residence spans a thoughtfully optimized footprint designed to balance communal engagement with private reflection. Through a careful selection of materials—predominantly featuring warm timber, expansive glass membranes, and robust structural elements—the architects have crafted a pavilion-like dwelling that frames exterior views, invites natural light deep into the interior, and blurs the boundary between inside and outside. Captured through the lens of architectural photographer Aldo Lanzi, the project showcases an understated elegance that elevates vernacular building traditions through contemporary detailing.
Chronology of the Project
The realization of Casa Solís 21 followed a measured, deliberate timeline typical of bespoke residential architecture committed to environmental and programmatic integration.
-
Phase 1: Conceptualization and Site Analysis (Early Development)
The project originated from the clients’ explicit brief: to acquire a manageable plot of land within a comfortable driving distance from Montevideo and erect a dwelling centered on family togetherness and relaxation. iHouse estudio initiated the process with an exhaustive environmental analysis of the Soca site, mapping sun paths, prevailing winds, and existing vegetation to determine the optimal placement for the future home.
-
Phase 2: Schematic Design and Spatial Planning
During this phase, the architects translated the clients’ lifestyle requirements into spatial layouts. The emphasis was placed on fluid transitions between the indoor living areas and the exterior wooden decks. Spatial configurations were tested and refined to ensure that the residence could effortlessly transition from hosting vibrant family gatherings to offering quiet, secluded zones for individual retreat. -
Phase 3: Material Selection and Engineering
With spatial volumes defined, the team focused on tectonic expression. The selection of materials was guided by principles of durability, tactile warmth, and low environmental impact. Structural grid systems and assembly methods were coordinated to streamline construction efficiency while maintaining high architectural standards. -
Phase 4: Construction and Tectonics
Execution on site prioritized minimal disruption to the surrounding rural terrain. Careful detailing during construction ensured that structural junctions between glass, wood, and concrete were executed with precision, culminating in the clean lines and crisp profiles visible in the completed structure.
-
Phase 5: Completion, Curation, and Publication (September 2026)
Following final interior styling and landscape integration, the project was officially documented by Aldo Lanzi. Curated by Valentina Díaz, Casa Solís 21 was formally introduced to the global architectural community through ArchDaily, highlighting its significance within contemporary South American residential design.
Supporting Data & Architectural Specifications
To fully understand the spatial and material strategy behind Casa Solís 21, it is essential to examine the technical parameters and site characteristics that informed iHouse estudio’s design approach:
- Typology: Temporary Residence / Weekend House
- Geographic Context: Rural setting, characterized by open fields, agricultural patches, and native groves.
- Proximity: Strategically positioned within easy driving reach of Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital and economic hub, making spontaneous weekend getaways practical.
- Primary Structural and Finish Materials:
- Timber: Used extensively for exterior cladding, interior flooring, and custom built-ins, imparting a natural warmth and aging gracefully under weathering.
- Glass: Large-format glazing systems dissolve visual barriers, flooding interior zones with ambient daylight and offering continuous panoramas of the rural landscape.
- Decks: Elevated or ground-level outdoor wooden platforms that extend the usable living space outward, creating transitional zones for lounging and dining al fresco.
- Spatial Organization:
- Open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas designed to act as the primary social nexus for the family.
- Private sleeping quarters positioned to capture morning sunlight while ensuring acoustic and visual privacy from the main social hubs.
- Environmental Integration: Orientation optimized for passive solar heating during cooler Uruguayan winters and cross-ventilation to mitigate summer heatwaves without heavy reliance on mechanical climate control.
Official Responses and Design Philosophy
The architects at iHouse estudio have consistently emphasized that contemporary rural architecture must avoid nostalgic pastiche while remaining deeply respectful of its context. In statements accompanying the release of Casa Solís 21, the design team elaborated on their core philosophy regarding weekend architecture:
"A weekend home must function as an emotional anchor. When families leave the urban density of Montevideo behind, the architecture should instantly signal a shift in rhythm. Casa Solís 21 was not designed merely as a shelter, but as a sensory apparatus. Every window frame, every transition from the shaded interior to the sun-drenched wooden deck, and every tactile encounter with natural wood was engineered to slow down perception."
Furthermore, the design approach addresses the duality of permanence and temporariness. Because the house is inhabited primarily on weekends and holidays, its operational logic required resilience, ease of maintenance, and the ability to "shut down" safely when unoccupied, while instantly welcoming its inhabitants upon arrival with an atmosphere of warmth and domestic comfort.
Clients and stakeholders have similarly echoed the success of the spatial layout, noting how the central gathering spaces naturally draw family members together, while the peripheral zones afford moments of quiet contemplation amidst the pastoral silence of Soca.
Implications for Contemporary Regional Architecture
Casa Solís 21 occupies a fascinating intersection in modern architectural discourse, carrying several broader implications for residential design in Uruguay and the wider Latin American region:
1. The Decentralization of Domestic Life
The pandemic and post-pandemic eras have accelerated a cultural shift toward decentralized living. Urban professionals increasingly view the countryside not merely as a vacation destination, but as an essential extension of daily life. Casa Solís 21 exemplifies how a modest weekend house can serve as a vital psychological counterweight to urban stress, proving that quality of life is heavily tied to spatial connectivity with nature.
2. Tectonic Honesty and Regional Materiality
In a globalized construction market dominated by generic, placeless materials, iHouse estudio’s reliance on warm timber and contextual detailing reinforces the value of regional tectonic expression. The house does not shout for attention through avant-garde sculptural forms; instead, it achieves distinction through proportion, material honesty, and an acute sensitivity to the Canelones landscape. This approach offers a sustainable template for rural development, demonstrating that modern comfort and environmental respect are mutually compatible.
3. Sustainable Passive Strategies
As climate considerations become paramount, projects like Casa Solís 21 highlight the importance of passive design principles—such as proper orientation, cross-ventilation, and thermal mass management. By reducing energy loads through intelligent spatial planning and envelope design, the project points toward a more responsible future for recreational architecture in South America.
Ultimately, Casa Solís 21 by iHouse estudio stands as a refined testament to the power of thoughtful design. By transforming a simple rural plot in Soca into an emotionally resonant family retreat, the architects have crafted a timeless piece of architecture that honors both the landscape it inhabits and the human need for rest, connection, and peace.
