Hello, dear readers and fellow design enthusiasts. Today, we’re taking you on a special journey with us through the fascinating Mãe Terra property in Santiago do Cacém, Portugal.
Following a technical visit in May 2023, the promoters of Mãe Terra made a resolute decision to entrust us with the task of crafting a smart, regenerative mainframe design. This design is poised to not only halt all erosion processes on the property and restore the ecological services, but also seamlessly integrate all their forthcoming activities, including retreats and natural therapies.
Our Mission: Validation of phase 2 of the masterplan being developed.
As part of the project, this particular visit was all about understanding and refining the water and access network proposal, and it marked the second step in our three-step journey.
Our project team, consisting of Nuno Mamede and Ana Santos, was there to listen, learn, and guide. The clients had questions, and we were determined to provide answers while aligning their vision with the land needs, and our vision withtheir necessities.
Ana Santos Shares Insights: Unleashing Potential
As Ana Santos put it, “The land is blessed with a lot of available water, which is presently untapped. One of the primary objectives of the project is to make the most of the abundance of water resources, such as the river and various active springs, and keep the water on the land for as long as possible, maximizing infiltration and supporting the ecological goals of reforestation and soil regeneration. Reforestation strategies for the ridges and steep slopes also hold significant importance in this territory, where we are confronted with an extremely degraded cork oak forest.”
Reviving Cork Oak Forests
Our hearts are deeply connected to the territory as we work on strategies to bring the cork oak forest back to life. This land once hosted a thriving cork oak forest that has sadly degraded over time. We’re determined to restore its former glory, one step at a time.
Exploring the Land
The project visit extended beyond technical discussions. We were fortunate to stroll through the property, tracing the very paths where our envisioned water and access network would come to life. This allowed us to forge a deeper connection with the land and envision how our designs would harmoniously blend with its natural beauty.
Moreover, modern technology has simplified our work. With GPS tablets in hand, we can effortlessly load the project, pinpoint our exact location, and achieve remarkable precision in identifying the future locations of elements like lakes or roads once the project transitions from planning to implementation.
What’s Next, on phase 3: Crafting the Zoning Matrix
Equipped with newfound insights and inspiration gleaned from our visit, our team is poised to flexibly refine our plans. Our immediate focus turns to the creation of the zoning matrix.
At Terracrua Design, our philosophy regarding productive areas revolves around cultivating diverse and regenerative agricultural systems. We achieve this through the deliberate practice of polyculture and the establishment of multilayered plantations. Our meticulous planning involves the use of straightforward patterns that not only enable full mechanization but also seamlessly incorporate a variety of species and layers.
This holistic approach fosters a thriving ecosystem that not only supports biodiversity and soil health but also ensures long-term harmony between humanity and the natural world.
Stay Tuned for More!
