Inside
The ground floor house that serves the association is a typical southern house, orientated to the east. Facing the garden on Estrada do Está Bem, it is located on the flood bank of the Telhares stream and consists of approximately 60 m2. It survived two floods, in 1997 and 2006, as well as an earthquake - probably the one in 1993 or 95. Built in the 1950s, it was used as a warehouse and sales point for straw bales and other materials to support the so-called ‘barn’ of the country under dictatorship, in what some locals (nostalgic for the rural world that didn't feel the [contemporary] structural isolation) now describe as the golden age. Having undergone some improvements as a family and guest house over the decades following the 1974 revolution, it has now been renovated.
The house consists of low, small rooms, floors covered in hydraulic stone and mosaics from the 70s and 80s. It was made of thick river stone walls, taipa cover [rammed earth/mudwall] and English tiles produced in Lisbon (a model that no longer exists); the windows were built with cedar wood and the walls were whitewashed. In the remodelling, we tried to respect this typology, keeping the original design and preserving the materials, both for their added value and for the sake of saving costs by avoiding the use of new materials of inferior quality. The roof was repaired by adding a skylight, glass wool roofing and isothermal sheeting finished with plasterboard. Plastic paint from recent years was removed from the exterior walls and lime was used again. The timber was treated with linseed oil and the upper floor was covered with isothermal sheets and carpet. All this made it possible to stabilise the temperature and waterproof the building, thus reducing energy consumption.
The entry is served by a porch, now covered in cane and bougainvillea. Walking down the corridor, on one side you'll find the library and on the other one the café/bar, both with windows to the front. The bathroom is at the back of the house, with the kitchen to its right, where there are stairs to the upper floor and a door to the back: here is an old patio, small but very sunny, with a river stone floor that is now being remodelled with schist stone from the region's hillsides.
As of spring 2025, the library and café/bar are still going to see some remodelling to provide more space to welcome guests. At that point, the resident team, including pets, is moving into the semi-detached house, thus freeing up the future pantry which, at the moment, still serves as private quarters.
The cafe/bar is open to members and also supports guests' daytime meetings, evening gatherings or just a break from the cold or hot days outside. With an old counter, recovered from the ruins of a nearby tavern and restored as the centrepiece, it has some furniture, records, CD and cassette players, an espresso machine, a bar with typical drinks and others such as tea, mineral water and lemonade. In the warmer months, the window onto the porch allows for direct service on the small terrace, where you can also eat light snacks, pies and cakes. One can also enjoy these products on the garden terrace (without service). The lighting facilitates reading, as well as a darker and/or more festive atmosphere. The sound system connected to microphones and speakers also allows for live performances or simple pleasures such as karaoke. Smoking is allowed in this space.
Service and cleaning are taken care of by the staff. Guests can consume private products, as long as the utensils are accessed and cleaned in the kitchen.
The library consists of a collection of books in Portuguese and English, with a few in German, mostly Portuguese and foreign literature, including history, philosophy, sociology, psychology, theatre, art and culture, as well as a small section on the natural environment and juvenile literature, some dictionaries, newspapers, zines, magazines, comics and graphic novels. It has good lighting for reading, writing and other crafts, as well as a solid wood table that can be opened up to accommodate up to 10 people, both for meals and for working.
At some point this area will also be equipped with small sofas, a video projector, space for movement and empty shelves. For certain events and activities, more chairs, a light projector and/or a mobile speaker (with microphone) can be provided. A magnetic board with markers is also to be installed.
Cleanliness and tidiness are the joint responsibility of staff, guests and participants in workshops taking place in this space.
The toilet, small and simple, still has the original bathroom suite, mosaics and some taps, while there are also shelves for guests to use, a hairdryer and basic items such as a first aid kit, tampons, hand towels, soap and toilet paper. The water is heated by a cylinder system, providing a very hot shower with plenty of pressure. An electric heater is available during the winter. A small window onto the courtyard offers respiration and natural light during the day.
Medium and long-term guests are co-responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and products during their stay; bath towels can be provided if agreed in advance.
The kitchen, filled with crockery and utensils for cooking and serving meals for groups of up to 10 people, has an electric hotplate with oven, a sink and worktop, a spice rack and a side table with two chairs. There is a washing machine and a fridge for use, as well as cleaning products, jams, jars of cereals and legumes, and shelves for guests' pantry. We don't use a dishwasher or microwave. Other appliances are available, such as an electric kettle, hand blender, electric mixer, mincer and toaster.
In due course, a stove will be installed in the region's typical wide, low fireplace, which is currently being used to dry and preserve vegetables, leaves and herbs. This space is also used for recycling/composting.
Guests have the option of meals prepared by the team, provided this is agreed in advance. Maintaining cleanliness and order, as well as managing the rubbish produced, is the joint responsibility of the team, guests and participants in the workshops taking place in this space.
The dorm, a former storage attic in its raw state, is now a spacious studio for up to seven people (five single beds and one double). It has natural light, storage space for suitcases, hangers, drawers and a mirror, with areas for relaxing and/or practising yoga or meditation. Each bed comes with a bedside table, reading lamp and electrical sockets. We have bed linen, pillows, blankets, an electric heater, a hoover and a fan. Outdoor footwear is not allowed.
For more privacy and comfort, cane dividing panels are already under construction.
