Bagno con piano in marmo e lavabo d’appoggio,
mensola lignea porta oggetti, specchio a taglio vivo:
tutto in perfetto stile minimal.
ENG.
Living in the nature
Contemporary architecture and spaces:
a combination of strength and beauty
There is a far-off land still unknown to many people
that is increasingly arousing curiosity in travellers
around the world. Little is known about Uruguay —
almost an invisible point between two huge countries
such as Brazil and Argentina — that mainly stands out
thanks to Punta del Este, a city founded on an isthmus
that marks the intersection between the Atlantic Ocean
and the Rio de la Plata, a popular destination for the
international jet set. A stretch of coast that is still
very wild and dotted with architectures designed by
important South American architects.
Among these, the Argentinian Diego Montero stands
out, who also signed this villa.
“In the projects I design —the architect says —, I always
try to create a bond between the natural beauties of
the context and the standards foreigners are used to.
It is an interesting way to make people appreciate and
understand the peculiarities of a place.” This concept
is expressed at its highest level even in this fantastic
villa, a few tens of meters from the famous Manantiales
beach.
The Atlantic Ocean and the sparkling light are the
undisputed stars of this space. Everything was decided
by taking into account these two strong natural
elements, which the architect lives in his daily life and
knows how to fully interpret. The absolute grey concrete
that dominates the house enhances the volume and
the linearity of its particular architecture, thus allowing
you to fully enjoy the spectacular view. The only neutral
colour notes are imposed by the few design pieces of
furniture.
“I wanted to create a series of original trompe l’oeil
— Montero explains —, giving spaces a harmonious
appearance at first glance, where a more careful
eye perceives only afterwards how much nothing is
left to chance.” And here, for example, the absence
of rugs allows the rough eucalyptus parquet to give
maximum highlight to the strength of rough concrete;
the minimalism created by the few pieces of furniture
and furnishing accessories interacts with many plants
placed in the geometric garden.
The beauty of the living room results from the wise use
of natural elements, above all. From here — through
a large glass wall flooded with light —, we enter the
real gem of the abode: a mosaic-tiled swimming pool
boasting an intense blue-green colour with an original
long and narrow shape, almost a direct reference to a
single lane belonging to an Olympic swimming pool.
This gargantuan totality is already announced by
the external garage door, which indicates the street
numbers in large print. Even if everything complies
with the concept of simple and pure shapes, the use
of rough concrete represents a true metaphor for the
magnificence of the facing ocean, a continuous element
inside the house thanks to large windows.
Design by Diego Montero
Photography by Gianni Franchellucci
Text by Roberto Begnini