Iside a Small Forest Home That Glows Like a Lantern at Night
Designed by iHouse estudio, this compact home in Punta del Este, Uruguay, reinterprets mid-century living with a modern twist, blurring the boundary between inside and out.
Raised lightly above the ground, the structure uses two bold yellow blocks to contain the kitchen, bathrooms, and storage, freeing the rest of the layout for an open plan that connects directly to the forest.
Large sliding glass openings dissolve the edges of the house, making the living, dining, and kitchen areas feel like extensions of the deck outside. Bedrooms are tucked behind protective walls that preserve privacy while still maintaining visual access to the surrounding trees. By day, the home disappears into the dense vegetation; by night, it glows warmly, its golden light transforming the house into a lantern in the woods.
The round window breaks the simplicity of the timber façade, becoming both a focal point and a source of soft light inside. Within, the vibrant yellow kitchen and warm finishes bring energy to the otherwise calm palette, striking a comfortable balance between privacy, intimacy, and openness to the forest.
Photography by Aldo Lanzi