foster + partners’ debut project in uruguay wraps around a glass-walled courtyard

the edge breaks ground in uruguay

The Edge, Foster + Partners’ first project in Uruguay, has broken ground. The luxury residential development is envisioned alongside local practice Ponce de León Architects and will take over the Rambla Tomas Berreta in Montevideo’s Carrasco neighborhood, which runs along the coast up to the eastern limits of Montevideo. Stretching across 60 meters of picturesque coastline, The Edge comprises eight residential units that wrap around a circular glass-walled courtyard, each with scenic views of the water. ‘Our design seeks to offer the highest quality living experience by perfectly balancing views, light, and green space,’ says David Summerfield, Head of Studio. 

Foster + Partners joins forces with Ponce de León Architects

Connections with nature are established from the moment residences arrive at The Edge in Uruguay. Residents and visitors enter a light-filled lobby that opens onto the courtyard and shared garden beyond. The building’s split-core allows for a natural separation of the apartment entrances on either side of the leafy central space with private access to the floors above. For greater enjoyment, Foster + Partners (see more here) and Ponce de León Architects (here) propose an interior height of three meters and floor-to-ceiling windows to ensure natural lighting in all residences. The generous windows at the front and back with minimalist enclosures offer striking views of the gardens and the Carrasco promenade.

eight-unit residential complex filled with light, nature & vistas

The building features eight residential units in total, including two duplex apartments on the east and west edges. Private rooftop gardens crown the top, and every apartment is cross-ventilated and has dual aspects, with views towards the beach and lush gardens to the south. Situated at the heart of the building, the glass-walled courtyard intersects with the central apartments, directly bringing natural light and greenery into their living spaces. The courtyard’s walls are made from textured cast glass that filters natural light into the living spaces while maintaining privacy for residents. ‘The cast glass courtyard is at the heart of the design, bringing daylight and greenery directly into the building and creating a unique experience for the residents. Its sculptural quality underlines the project’s contemporary elegance,‘ elaborates Juan Frigerio, Partner at F+P. 

A basement level provides a pool, sauna, and gym, with steps leading up to the courtyard and shared garden. White concrete is expressed on the building’s facade, reflecting the pale tones of Carrasco’s sandy beachfront. Terraces emphasize the low-rise building’s horizontality and provide private spaces to soak in the vistas. ‘The Edge could be considered a manifesto for architecture, not only in Montevideo but also in other parts of the world. Unlike the dispersal model, this project shows how a new construction can integrate into the existing urban fabric and increase its density, using construction techniques belonging to futuristic technology that contribute to environmental preservation,’ concludes Carlos Ponce de León. The client for The Edge in Uruguay is developer Betalba Capital. 

project info:

name: The Edge 

location: Carrasco, Montevideo, Uruguay

architects: Foster + Partners | @fosterandpartners and Ponce de León Architects | @poncedeleonarchitects

developer: Betalba Capital

total area: 3,400 sqm, with 60 m of frontage along the promenade

construction area: 6,000 sqm
residence area: 200-500 sqm with gardens, terraces, and rooftop
delivery date: 18 months after the start of construction (September 2025)