The corkbox, a space entirely covered in cork - the ceiling, walls and floor - is dedicated to yoga, pilates, meditation or other activities.
Not far from the ocean and the Spanish border, in the far south of Portugal, the old farm buildings, surrounded by their cultivated land, have taken on a whole new look under the impetus of the owners. The different eras and buildings blend together to create an ensemble that is both heterogeneous in its volumes and homogeneous in its contemporary, uncluttered renovation. There is no shortage of references to the site's origins, and these are skillfully complemented by the architectural interpretation that has led to the transformation of the entire site into a top-class holiday resort, the ideal starting point for exploring the Algarve.
The estate has been in my family for seven generations. It covers 40 hectares planted with stone pines, cork oaks, carob trees, apricot trees, fig trees, olive trees and orange trees. We are very attached to this land, the region and our family history, and we have been putting down our roots here for 30 years.
The distinctive feature of the buildings is the use of different traditional construction techniques from different eras, each of which is reflected in the very nature of the walls. Some are made of raw earth, others of stone mixed with earth, and others of brick. During the restoration, we encouraged a dialogue between the cohabitation of eras, forms, uses and materials. We were careful not to invent anything new, but above all to reveal what was already there, while adapting it to contemporary needs. Inside the "cork box” building, which was once a farm garage, we created a free-standing cube lined with cork, maintaining an architectural dialogue between the industrial brutality of the 1960s and traditional agricultural architecture. We also created Portugal's first contemporary hammam, which has won national and international awards for the quality of its architecture made from local marble.
The estate, a very dynamic regional economic and social centre, has been active for almost a century employing traditional agricultural production. In the 1980s, it was the first farm in Portugal to switch to organic farming, with an ecosystem delivered by rain-fed agriculture. This has enabled the continuity and preservation of the estate and the restoration of the built heritage. We arrived here in 1994 and after a long and painstaking transformation process, we have been offering sustainable ecotourism since 2008. With the help of a local architect, we carried out genuine research into the existing agricultural buildings at a time when restoration was rare in Portugal: the tendency was to raze everything and start again.
We offer an experience in a place deeply rooted in its environment. There is no television or background music. Here everything invites silence, or rather listening to nature, the birds, the wind... The exclusive hammam experience includes exfoliation and hydration using sea salt and naturally scented almond oil. We offer our guests a range of all-natural, organic, plastic-free products, with flavours inspired by the southern Mediterranean and named "8950", after our local postcode. Herbal teas from the farm are served in the relaxation room. We have an equipped area dedicated to yoga, pilates and mindfulness.
The Ria Formosa Nature Reserve has spectacular lagoon landscapes, perfect for birdwatching and seaside walks. The guided tour of the Salmarim artisan salt marshes shows the salt formation process and its extraction, and includes a blind tasting. "Taberna Remexida” in Rio Seco is a charming rural restaurant set in a farmhouse. Dishes are made using local produce, with meat, vegetarian and vegan options available. At "Sem Espinhas Cabeço", in Praia do Cabeço, the dishes feature fresh fish and seafood from the Algarve. "Bate Que Eu Abro" is a typical restaurant in Altura, serving quality products cooked in the traditional Portuguese way.
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