photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

Simply put, there are some structures that simply blow you away. Structures that make your whole being travel with a mere glimpse of an image, an interior space or a view to an outer landscape. This structure is exactly that and it entails all these factors. Its name – Las Piedras Fasano, its purpose – hospitality complex – its location Punta del Este in Uruguay and its goal – all, add up to the dream.

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

The architect behind the dream is Isay Weinfeld who collaborates with Domingos Pascali as a well as a great team to support. The project commenced in 2008 and was built in 2 phases completing in January 2011. One of the most inspiring things about the history of this land is that the previous owner erected his home and studio literally through the rocks of the landscape harmonizing a unique experience. As the architect tells us himself:
 
‘Upon our arrival for the first land reconnaissance visit, we had no doubt that those buildings and the rustic and unique workmanship element– should be preserved. The detailed study of the program/client brief led us to resort to scattering the units as isolated modules that “landed naturally” on the terrain, just the rocks themselves’.
Isay Weinfeld

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

Through the rawness of the cladding, the structures the surroundings a naked exterior edge which counterbalances with the interiors. This complex which totals a built up area of 43,000sqft combines private homes, hotel bungalows and other amenities – a spa, equestrian center, golf, polo fields and a 3-km beach stretch on the riverside of Arroyo Maldonado spread across 480 hectares dominated by a dramatic and dazzling landscape.
 
Each structure is designed with great detailing according to the use itself. One of our favourite features is the ideology behind the main reception and the ‘Las Piedrasrestaurant, which is housed inside the original U shaped existing house. The ‘Fasanorestaurant is housed in the original studio, which was designed with minor interventions. Here an atmospheric character is retained through the worn out woodwork on the floor, doors, ceilings and windows, with an extension of the exterior deck for even more lounging. While retaining this great architectural character, a new raw concrete volume slightly lower than the stone structure was interconnected to host the kitchen. This structure has been designed respecting the existing studio and is a unifying element within the rocky surroundings.

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

Within the interiors the language is simple; the retention of the existing character in the existing modules and simplicity of modernity in the new modules. Large open spaces, endless unframed glazings, and the purity of whiteness are all combined with rustic woods, saddle leather and eclectic furniture items. A typical day within these interiors goes something like this:
 
Waking up to endless views and the essence of nature, then a walk through the landscape in the light morning breeze to breakfast on the terrace under the bamboo pergola, the green upholstery through the wood mesh chairs and the sound of crystal glasses and silver cutlery. After that, a coffee on the patio looking over the endless abyss. Later on, a visit to the stark modern spa where calm and serenity are of prime focus through the simplistic design. After relaxing after one’s pampering session on your bed by the window, new attire is needed for the property’s bar full of old character and great escapes while the sun majestically sets. Following that it’s all about candlelight, lanterns and the exquisiteness of dinner. Finally, the bold clear midnight walk through nature to your personal warm quarters waiting for a new day to greet you with the first glance to the outside world.
 
Paradise is here and its name is Las Piedras Fasano!

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

SPA // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE SWIMMING POOL AND BAR // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE SWIMMING POOL AND BAR // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE SWIMMING POOL AND BAR // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE SWIMMING POOL AND BAR // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE SWIMMING POOL AND BAR // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE SWIMMING POOL AND BAR // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE SWIMMING POOL AND BAR // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE SWIMMING POOL AND BAR // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE LAS PIEDRAS RESTAURANT // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE LAS PIEDRAS RESTAURANT // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE LAS PIEDRAS RESTAURANT // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE LAS PIEDRAS RESTAURANT // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE LAS PIEDRAS RESTAURANT // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE LAS PIEDRAS RESTAURANT // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE LAS PIEDRAS RESTAURANT // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE LAS PIEDRAS RESTAURANT // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE LAS PIEDRAS RESTAURANT // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE LAS PIEDRAS RESTAURANT // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE LAS PIEDRAS RESTAURANT // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE LAS PIEDRAS RESTAURANT // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE LAS PIEDRAS RESTAURANT // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

THE LAS PIEDRAS RESTAURANT // photo © Fernando Guerra, FG+SG Architectural Photography

ARCHITECTURE
AUTHOR: ISAY WEINFELD
COLLABORATOR: DOMINGOS PASCALI
PROJECT MANAGER: MONICA CAPPA
TEAM: MARCELO ALVARENGA / ADRIANA AUN / BRUNO LEVY / MANOEL MAIA / ALEXANDRE NOBRE / JULIANA SCALIZI / SEBASTIAN MURR
LOCATION
URUGUAY (South America)
DATES
COMMISSION OF PROJECT    
APRIL 2008
BUILDING COMPLETION       
DECEMBER 2008 (PHASE 1); JANUARY 2011 (PHASE 2)   
BUILT AREA
43000 SQ FT
PHOTOGRAPHER
:
FERNANDO GUERRA

'Las Piedras Fasano' by Isay Weinfeld in Uruguay

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