a land-based project, nestled in a secluded valley in the mountains of northern Portugal
a land-based project, nestled in a secluded valley in the mountains of northern Portugal
A CORUJEIRA*
*An old Portuguese word that holds two truths: the nesting place of the owls who share our forest, and a cliffside habitation, a little hard to find.
Two decades ago, wildfires swept through these hills, stripping the soil bare. Since then, a young oak forest has begun to return, carrying the first signs of ecological recovery. The valley now hosts A Corujeira, an off-grid dwelling dedicated to regenerative arts, rooted in the understanding that human and ecological well-being are synonymous. Our focus is exploring how practical learning and intentional lifestyles contribute to creative growth and regenerative land practices.
A Corujeira invites those who wish to learn, create, and care for the land to be part of this ongoing experiment in regeneration.
SAUNA
PERCH
PERCH
YURT
WORKSHOP
CLAYHOUSE
CLAYHOUSE
The land is on a slow journey of recovery from a fire that passed through two decades ago, and our work here is a gentle, creative rehabilitation from that. This expresses itself in two intertwining streams: regenerating the land through agroforestry, and playful, ecological architecture as a form of applied learning. We have been hosting educational, not-for-profit gatherings asking ourselves the question "How can we engage more deeply with ecological restoration as a creative, communal process?".
OWL'S NEST, 2025
Tucked against the creek is an off-grid sauna and medicinal garden, creating a space where personal and ecological wellbeing come together. Regenerative work includes replacing eucalyptus with diverse, fire-resistant food forests and designing buildings from local natural resources and reclaimed materials.
The terraced medicinal garden has over 25 varieties of herbs for intentional foraging. The reforested eucalyptus grove now hosts a young food forest with over 200 newly planted trees and shrubs.
tools for deep creative play
Visual & Physical Arts
A 20m² equipped workshop for carpentry or masonry projects, complete with a table saw and a comprehensive set of power tools. An easel, paint brushes, and various art supplies. The workshop also has a stock of natural clay for pottery or sculpture.
Land, Movement, & Contemplation
A dedicated yoga deck and yoga mats. The 35m² yurt also serves as an open space for movement practice. Explore our terraced medicinal garden for intentional foraging.
Music & Audio
A minimal recording setup including a Shure SM58 microphone, pop filter, Focusrite 2i2 audio interface, and Sony studio headphones. A guitar, hand drums, and a steel tongue drum are also available.
Writing & Research
Both accommodations feature writing desks. We also have a curated library with books on design, regeneration, agroforestry, art, philosophy, and ecology.
'every space is a temple'
CLAYHOUSE
A naturally built tiny house; living space that is also a work of creative expression, built with locally sourced and salvaged materials.
SAUNA
An 8-person, wood-fired sauna with adjacent spring-fed pool and waterfall.
MONGOLIAN YURT
A 35-square-metre (~7-metre diameter) Mongolian yurt with a cosy, egg-shaped wood burner.
SUPPORT SPACES
PERCH
PERCH
WORKSHOP
VAN
KITCHEN
steam as living ritual
Steam sessions
The sauna is the somatic hearth of A Corujeira; a space where thermodynamics and ritual intersect to support the human system. This practice provides the necessary heat to process the physical labor of the land and the emotional depth of creative work.
The Practice of Steamology
Steamology is a practice of connection and service. We treat the steam as an active agent that inhabits the space and the participants. The work involves a deep attunement to self, other, and environment.
We use natural leaf whisks to capture steam and massage the body, focusing heat and introducing herbs with intention to open the senses and support the respiratory system.
By inviting awareness of breath, rhythm, sound, and heat, we assist the nervous system in transitioning from a state of habit and activation to a state of deep relaxation and insight.
The creek provides a constant flow of fresh spring water to ground the system after sessions.
WHO ARE 'WE'?
The identity of A Corujeira is a collective one. Primarily though, we are Nimbu, the resident cat and guardian, and Eska, the mostly-human steward. Although I'm a mechanical engineer by education, the patterns of humans and natural systems will always be infinitely more beautiful to me than machines, and this forest is where this passion has taken root.
Our community includes the hundreds of humans who visit the land each year. These stewards learn, grow, and contribute their energy to its structures while tending to new seedlings.Of course, 'we' also include our non-human inhabitants. We are the trees, the soil microbes, and the wildlife that define this ecosystem. Together, we maintain the pulse of this project.
SUPPORT A CORUJEIRA
A Corujeira is a living project dedicated to healing the land and fostering creativity. Every contribution helps plant trees, build with natural and reclaimed materials, and create spaces for community and art to grow.
YOUR SUPPORT CAN FUND:
Regeneration of oak forest and transformation of eucalyptus groves
Herbalism gardens and food forests
Natural building projects and off-grid infrastructure
Artist residencies and community gatherings
