Design 03: Vila Pinheiro - Sustainable Homestead

This design captures the foundational vision and long-term planning for Vila Pinheiro as a regenerative homestead rooted in permaculture ethics. It integrates sustainable land use, energy independence, food and water self-sufficiency, and community well-being across a one-hectare site in Central Portugal.

Using the GoSADIMET framework, this project undertakes a thorough survey and analysis of the estate’s natural assets—including forests, wetlands, slopes, and orchards—to inform a zoned layout that reflects optimal ecological function. The design applies tools such as SMARTER Goals, SWOC Analysis, Sector and Zone Planning, and Input–Output Mapping to shape a resilient living system.

Design zones are carefully crafted to align with daily use patterns and ecological processes. These range from intensive cultivation and community infrastructure in Zones 0 and 1 to ecological conservation and silvopasture in Zones 4 and 5. A phased implementation plan guides the transformation of Vila Pinheiro into a model of regenerative living—supported by composting systems, solar energy installations, Ayurvedic forest planting, and ongoing community engagement.

This is not just a physical design—it is a spiritual and ecological commitment to living with the land, in balance with nature, and in service of future generations.

Framework/s: GoSADIMET
Focus: Whole-systems homestead design guided by permaculture and regeneration
Tools: SMARTER Goals, SWOC Analysis, Zone & Sector Planning, Input–Output Mapping