grimaldi - nacht perches concrete casa la secreta on uruguay coast

Grimaldi – Nacht arquitectos’ floating beach house

Located in Faro de José Ignacio, Uruguay, Casa La Secreta by Grimaldi – Nacht Arquitectos has completed as an integration of the natural environment with the client’s programmatic needs. This residence prioritizes a fluid connection between interior and exterior spaces while embracing its coastal surroundings.

From the access route, Casa La Secreta deliberately avoids drawing attention. A curved stone wall gradually reveals the concrete house, leading visitors toward the main entrance. This architectural feature introduces a central courtyard, where a set of stairs ascends to the upper floor. This transitional space, designed for privacy, sets the tone for the house’s elevated design and its interplay with the landscape.

images © Javier Agustin Rojas

Grounded in the Natural Terrain

The vast site of Grimaldi – Nacht Arquitectos’ Casa La Secreta is defined by a three-meter-high dune cordon facing the beach, shaping the design strategy. The house rises from the ground to create an expansive recreational space at the lower level. This area includes a grill, outdoor fireplace, and dining room, all surrounded by a stone garden that merges with the psammophilous — sand-resistant — forests. With this structure, the design team respect the terrain, merging architecture with nature to preserve the inherent beauty of the site.

Grimaldi – Nacht Arquitectos designs Casa La Secreta on the coast of Uruguay

casa la secreta: a house around a courtyard

On the upper floor, Casa La Secreta’s spaces are arranged by Grimaldi – Nacht Arquitectos around the central patio. The courtyard, framed by blind walls, offers a serene focal point and emphasizes privacy. This layout includes an elevated gallery and a sheltered pool, ensuring usability across seasons. The perimeter circulation around the patio functions as a cloister, with the living-dining room and main bedroom located to the south, additional bedrooms to the north, and service areas to the east.

The living-dining area features a sixteen-meter-wide facade that opens entirely to the outdoors, thanks to concealed sliding doors. This design element lends a fluid connection between the interior and the exterior, emphasizing views of the surrounding landscape.

a curved stone wall leads visitors to the private central courtyard