Vilamajó House Museum, Modernist residential museum in Parque Rodó, Montevideo, Uruguay
The Vilamajó House Museum occupies the house Julio Vilamajó built for his family in 1930 in Parque Rodó, Montevideo. A Medusa image guards the entrance. Interiors were restored under architect Gustavo Scheps with original furniture, artwork and personal belongings, and the gardens were replanted with the species originally grown there. A 2018 refurbishment restored floors, walls, openings, paintwork and the original lighting system.
Julio Vilamajó built the house for himself and his wife Mercedes in 1930; his sister Estrella moved in and lived there until her death in 1978. After a period of neglect and an auction of its contents, it was declared a National Historic Monument in 1990. Restored under architect Gustavo Scheps, it opened as a museum on 26 April 2012.
The house shows how an architect and his family lived in the 1930s, with rooms reflecting the modern ideals of that era and expressing a new way of living.
Access is by guided tours offered in small groups on specific days of the week. It is advisable to check in advance since opening days are limited and groups require prior booking.
The garden was replanted with species matching the original landscape design from the 1930s. This carefully restored green setting is an often overlooked detail that completes the architect's overall vision.
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