Trica House | iHouse estudio | Chihuahua, Uruguay

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Modern minimalist cabin with open living area, large glass sliding doors and outdoor terrace surrounded by desert and local plants, perfectly suited for contemporary architecture and interior design.

Modular coastal resort built exclusively through video calls

When the Uruguayan client living in Australia decided to build a vacation home on his homeland, distance became both a challenge and an inspiration. The Trica House designed and built entirely through virtual collaboration by iHouse estudio embodies the future of architecture — where technology, sustainability and design accuracy converge across continents.

Located in Chihuahua, a rapidly developing coastal city in the Maldonado department, the house serves as both contemporary prefabricated housing and a nature-sensitive response. Without disrupting the local topography or vegetation, the house was designed to combine minimal intervention with maximum efficiency, ensuring its completion — ready for occupancy — upon arrival of the owner from afar.

Concept and remote collaboration

The brief was clear: design and build a resort-style home deeply connected to nature, use eco-friendly construction, and respect the rough coastal terrain. The uniqueness was that everything had to be done remotely.

Every stage, from design concept to final detailing, was conducted through video conferences, making Trica House an example of digital era architectural collaboration.

To overcome the challenges of executing a project 120 km from the construction site, architects turned to modular factory assembly, a method ensuring precision, consistency and speed, while minimizing waste and environmental impact.

Design and spatial organization

The house consists of two symmetrical prefabricated modules, connected along the long sides, forming a rectangular parallelepiped. This simple yet refined structure defines both the structural logic and aesthetic identity of the dwelling.

Inside, the plan is organized around two symmetrical axes, creating a balance between order and openness:

The central block separates the public areas (living room, dining area, kitchen) from the private zones (bedrooms and bathrooms).
The short and side facades remain mostly solid, providing privacy and protection from prevailing winds.
The long facades are clad in glass, fully opening to the landscape and expanding the interior into nature.

The result is a compact yet spacious home that feels light, transparent and deeply integrated with its environment.

Modular construction and efficiency

Trica House was built using prefabricated steel modules, produced in controlled factory conditions. This off-site construction process ensured:

Consistent quality control, independent of weather or on-site variations.
Fast assembly, completed on-site in less than a week.
Reduced material waste and lower carbon footprint compared to conventional construction.

The prefabricated components approach also allowed minimal ground disturbance, preserving natural contours and flora. Every element, from cladding to connections, was designed for precise fit and structural durability.

Materials and atmosphere

The architectural expression of Trica House combines simplicity, clarity and texture.

The exterior appearance features metal panels and neutral tones, reflecting coastal hues of sand and stone.
Inside, natural wood and clean surfaces create a sense of warmth and tranquility, contrasting with the robust outer shell.
Large sliding glass panels blur the boundary between interior and exterior spaces, inviting sea breeze and natural light to animate the interior.

The overall experience is one of calm modernity — a space where design and landscape coexist without competition.

Sustainability and ecological response

From the outset, Trica House was conceived as an ecologically efficient coastal home.

Its modular production minimized waste and transportation emissions.
The compact footprint preserves most of the vegetation and natural permeability of the site.
Passive design strategies — including cross-ventilation, solar orientation and insulated panels — provide comfort with minimal energy consumption.

This mindful design approach makes the home a model of environmentally responsible prefabricated housing in Uruguay's growing coastal regions.

Trica House by iHouse estudio demonstrates how architecture, technology and environmental respect can come together to create meaningful living spaces — even across continents.

What began as a digital experiment became a real testament to efficiency, sustainability and place connection — a home that arrived ready but feels timeless in its setting.

It stands as proof that the future of architecture lies not only in innovation but also in human-centered adaptability, where design freely responds to global challenges and personal dreams.

Fotos © Aldo Lanzilotti Trica House | iHouse estudio | Chihuahua, Uruguay