Developing Your Own Project
It all begins with choosing a place in the world where you can live productively in harmony with nature. You need to know where you want to live—at least for a period—within an agroforestry system. Once the land is acquired or permission to implement the project is secured, we will conduct a study to find the most balanced approach between your desires and what the site offers.
We operate on the premise that 53% of the total project area will be dedicated to nature conservation. The remaining 47% will be the area we develop for you, featuring your custom-built syntropic structure and everything else you desire—access roads, gardens, production areas, pools, ponds, reservoirs, and treatment facilities—all designed with agroforestry interfaces connecting the built environment with nature.
You do not need to be an expert in this field; that is why we work on your behalf. There is no charge for the initial collaborative process of creating your preliminary design. However, for the detailed design phase, we will provide cost estimates broken down into three distinct budgets—agreed upon in advance—corresponding to each implementation stage:
1 - Earthworks and installation of drainage, access roads, ponds, water systems, primary plumbing, sewage systems, preparation of outdoor production areas, initial orchard planting, etc.
2 - Construction of buildings, the swimming pool, agricultural support structures, water wells, the photovoltaic system, and other amenities relevant to your project.
3 - Installation of indoor and outdoor gardens, agroforestry systems, and other production systems (such as beekeeping or poultry farming), as well as features designed to foster interaction with wildlife—such as owl nesting boxes or other project-specific elements. Since the second stage—comprising the structural build and finishing—is the most costly, ranging from €1,200 to €2,600 per square meter depending on the chosen finishes and equipment, we can naturally provide a budget estimate by outlining the preliminary design with the client
.Implementing Standard Projects
SintropicHome also caters to projects already in development or those requiring only the construction phase. To that end, we present a selection of standard designs we have previously developed.
SPORUS
NOMAD
NOMAD, with 45 m² of usable area, is a model featuring a complete one-bedroom layout on the ground floor and a "stargazing" bedroom on the mezzanine, as well as three green roof areas. This modular design allows up to four units to be joined together, creating a pyramidal structure with up to five bedrooms!
PROPAGULO
With 76 square meters of usable area, the PROPAGULO features a layout that can be adapted from a two-bedroom (T2) to a three-bedroom (T3) configuration by adding one or two bedrooms on the upper floor. The ground floor comprises a master suite, a living area with an open-plan kitchen, and a comfortable staircase leading to the upper level. The upper floor—which houses one or two bedrooms and a bathroom—can also accommodate indoor growing areas and/or stargazing spots, as well as sun decks and winter gardens.
Another key feature of our structures is the use of flat roofs with specialized waterproofing; combined with reinforced, engineered structural framing, these roofs create terraces capable of supporting large planters, green roofs, and observation decks.
GASH
GASH is a Habitable Syntropic Agricultural Shed born from a minimalist, modular design concept. With 84 m² of usable area, it features a layout that can be adapted from two bedrooms (T2) to three (T3). The roof slabs are designed to support green roofs and observation decks, while indoor production areas can be partially converted into stargazing spots or winter gardens. It is a single-family home for those wishing to embrace an agroforestry lifestyle without sacrificing comfort.
MODULES
The syntropicMODULE I is undoubtedly the fastest to assemble among our two-story models. It features a spacious suite on the upper floor—complete with a kitchenette and an indoor production area—that has a separate entrance and can be converted into an additional bedroom. It is ideal for the initial implementation phase of agroforestry projects, as well as for rural tourism and for those seeking an immediate retreat close to nature.
The syntropicMODULE II is its production area, which is three times larger than that of MODULE I. It can also be configured to include an extra bedroom and bathroom on the upper floor, reducing the production area by only one-third.
CASAVAZADA
CASAVASADA is a model of Syntropic Family Housing with 168 m² of usable area, designed to offer comfort and spaciousness alongside minimal indoor food production. It offers a unique living experience, featuring terraces facing all four cardinal directions and an abundance of outdoor planters and pots.
Small indoor growing areas tucked into the nooks, space for photovoltaic panels above the range hood, and a magnificent green roof offer an excellent opportunity to introduce your family to this new way of living. The design allows the main living area to be opened up entirely to the outdoors whenever desired—yet another feature that brings your family closer to nature, easily and safely.
There are two suites on the ground floor and two bedrooms with a view of the stars on the upper floor. A spacious living area with a kitchen and a powder room is located on the ground floor. A place for a lifetime!
OKA´ Í
OKA'Í is our latest model—a synthesis of our experience in bioclimatic housing. It is our pride and joy! A habitable agricultural support structure offering 108 m² of usable living space, alongside a substantial indoor production area. It represents a fresh approach—modern and perfectly suited to contemporary rural life—truly reimagining the nature of rural work and our dialogue with the natural world.
It is crucial to explain two aspects of this building's extensive glass walls: they are the "Living Walls" (syntropic) created by SintropicHome (part of the Engenho e Arte Gallery). These walls enclose indoor production areas or winter gardens that—through simple adjustments to the blinds and proper airflow—actually cool the building during peak sunlight hours and retain heat during colder periods, contrary to common assumptions. This setup also allows us to control our home's privacy. These systems, along with irrigation, can be automated using timers, delivering significant benefits and comfort at a very low cost.
Ground floor plan: Given the building's generous size, we incorporated four entry/exit points to facilitate access to the site. The upper-floor plan—a SPORUS! design—features a suite offering complete versatility in terms of layout and use.
