The cabins were prefabricated in Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital some 200 kilometres away, based on a modular design grounded on constructive simplicity and the efficient use of materials. The steel frame structures were then transported to Maldonado and erected on shallow platforms made from local stones that also incorporate small circular pools. Designed in curvilinear shapes in reference to the local topography, the platforms are lyrically juxtaposed with the sharp, rectilinear geometry of the cabins sitting askew on top.

The contrast between the natural and the man-made is further explored in the design of the cabin’s facades. On the rear, the walls are made up of piles of wood logs, an allusion to the countryside lifestyle where woodpiles are a typical sight, whereas on the front, one-way mirrors allow expansive views from the interiors while camouflaging the cabins from the exterior.

Inside, the cabins are sliced into two longitudinal strips with the bathroom and kitchenette on the back allowing the living and sleeping area on the front to enjoy the uninterrupted views of the sierra courtesy of the full-height glazing. A fireplace and a reading nook, ideal for reading or taking a siesta, complete the minimally designed interiors. Stone floors, timber wall panelling and an eclectic selection of modernist furniture evince a subtle luxuriance and sophistication without detracting from the natural landscape outside.

Sustainability was a major consideration for the architects who took great pains to minimize the venture’s environmental impact both during the construction phase and in the longer term with practices such as prefabrication, local materials for on-site works, low-emissivity glass, electric cars for transportation, sourcing spring water and the eco-friendly waste water treatment system as well as making the most of renewable energy. It’s the least they could do to make up for the stunning natural beauty and exquisite harvests that the area so generously offers to the Sacramonte Landscape Hotel.