1. 1 Securing the land
  2. 2 Licensing
  3. 3 21-day build
  4. 4 Open retreat

Acquisition stage: actively reviewing land and rural property opportunities near Porto, Braga, and the wider North Portugal corridor.

The Build Library · 56 hands-on modules

Build · Sep 2026

How we build every piece — step by step.

Fifty-six build modules, grouped into twelve zones, each with an illustrated step-by-step guide. Filter by zone, difficulty, cost or whether volunteers can help — and open any tile for the full build.

  • 56 modules
  • 12 zones
  • EN + PT
  • Reclaimed-first

In motion

An animated tour through the builds documented so far.

IBC Food-Grade Rainwater Cascade💧Water SystemsIBC Food-Grade Rainwater CascadeMedium · €80–200First-Flush Diverter for Guttering💧Water SystemsFirst-Flush Diverter for GutteringEasy · €20–50Greywater Reed-Bed Filter💧Water SystemsGreywater Reed-Bed FilterMedium · €40–120Barrel First-Flush Diverter💧Water SystemsBarrel First-Flush DiverterEasy · €20–60Header Tank on Stone Plinth💧Water SystemsHeader Tank on Stone PlinthMedium · €40–100Swale / Natural Infiltration Zone💧Water SystemsSwale / Natural Infiltration ZoneMedium · €50–100Compost Dry Toilet (Twin-chamber)🚿Dry Toilet & ShowerCompost Dry Toilet (Twin-chamber)Medium · 120–250 per unitUrine Diversion Soak-Away🚿Dry Toilet & ShowerUrine Diversion Soak-AwayEasy · 60–120Solar Shower (Gravity + heating)🚿Dry Toilet & ShowerSolar Shower (Gravity + heating)Easy–Medium · 80–200Outdoor Shower Stone Wall🚿Dry Toilet & ShowerOutdoor Shower Stone WallMedium · 80–200Handwashing Station🚿Dry Toilet & ShowerHandwashing StationEasy · 30–80Granite Stepping-Stone Path🪨Pathways & SignageGranite Stepping-Stone PathEasy · 40–100 per metreWoodchip + Log-Edge Soft Path🪨Pathways & SignageWoodchip + Log-Edge Soft PathEasy · 5–15 per metrePallet-Wood Directional Signs🪨Pathways & SignagePallet-Wood Directional SignsEasy · 15–40 per signReclaimed-Slate Engraved Markers🪨Pathways & SignageReclaimed-Slate Engraved MarkersMedium · 30–60 per markerBottle / Glass Border Edging🪨Pathways & SignageBottle / Glass Border EdgingEasy–Medium · 5–15 per metreRustic Premium Fire Circle🔥Fire & GatheringRustic Premium Fire CircleMedium · €50–150Intimate Fire Pit with Seating🔥Fire & GatheringIntimate Fire Pit with SeatingMedium · €30–100Gabion + Tyre Seating Ring🔥Fire & GatheringGabion + Tyre Seating RingMedium · €100–200Cable-Drum + Upcycled-Wood Side Tables🔥Fire & GatheringCable-Drum + Upcycled-Wood Side TablesEasy · €0–40Stone Plinth for Sauna Building🧖Sauna & WellnessStone Plinth for Sauna BuildingMedium · €20–80Pallet-Clad Sauna Cabin Walls🧖Sauna & WellnessPallet-Clad Sauna Cabin WallsMedium · €80–200Reclaimed-Window Glazing for Chill Shelter🧖Sauna & WellnessReclaimed-Window Glazing for Chill ShelterHard · €60–200Cable-Drum Plunge Tub Surround🧖Sauna & WellnessCable-Drum Plunge Tub SurroundMedium · €40–120Pallet + Granite Counter Base🍳Outdoor KitchenPallet + Granite Counter BaseMedium · €60–150IBC-Cage Larder Shelving🍳Outdoor KitchenIBC-Cage Larder ShelvingMedium · €30–100Reclaimed-Door Pantry Hutch🍳Outdoor KitchenReclaimed-Door Pantry HutchMedium · €20–80Wine-Barrel Sink Stand + Greywater🍳Outdoor KitchenWine-Barrel Sink Stand + GreywaterMedium · €50–150Scaffold-Board Open Shelves🍳Outdoor KitchenScaffold-Board Open ShelvesEasy · €30–80Brick or Can Rocket Stove🍳Outdoor KitchenBrick or Can Rocket StoveHard · €80–200Scaffold-Tube Pull-Up & Dip Rig💪Natural GymScaffold-Tube Pull-Up & Dip RigHard · €220–320Atlas Lifting Stones + Casting Circle💪Natural GymAtlas Lifting Stones + Casting CircleMedium · €60–140Charred Log Press Bar💪Natural GymCharred Log Press BarMedium · €15–50Sandbag Set + Storage Rack💪Natural GymSandbag Set + Storage RackEasy · €40–100Two-Tank Staged Aquaponics MVP🌱Garden & AquaponicsTwo-Tank Staged Aquaponics MVPMedium · 200–600Stone Herb-Garden Spiral🌱Garden & AquaponicsStone Herb-Garden SpiralEasy–Medium · 40–100Pallet Vertical Planters🌱Garden & AquaponicsPallet Vertical PlantersEasy · 50–120 per unitBathtub Raised Beds🌱Garden & AquaponicsBathtub Raised BedsEasy · 20–80 per unitTyre Potato Towers🌱Garden & AquaponicsTyre Potato TowersEasy · 10–40 per towerPallet Cladding & Skirting🚐Caravan & StayPallet Cladding & SkirtingMedium · €80–200Reclaimed-Window Porch/Awning🚐Caravan & StayReclaimed-Window Porch/AwningHard · €80–200Pallet Deck + Steps🚐Caravan & StayPallet Deck + StepsMedium · €80–160Tyre + Board Levelling Pads🚐Caravan & StayTyre + Board Levelling PadsEasy · €20–60Salvaged-Door Interior Refit🚐Caravan & StaySalvaged-Door Interior RefitMedium · €30–100Pallet Tool Wall + Shadow Board🔧Storage & WorkshopPallet Tool Wall + Shadow BoardEasy · 40–100 per wallIBC-Cage Material Lockers🔧Storage & WorkshopIBC-Cage Material LockersMedium · 60–120 per lockerReclaimed-Door Workshop Shed🔧Storage & WorkshopReclaimed-Door Workshop ShedMedium–Hard · 150–300Cable-Drum Workbench🔧Storage & WorkshopCable-Drum WorkbenchEasy–Medium · 60–150Pallet Timber Rack🔧Storage & WorkshopPallet Timber RackEasy · 40–100Reclaimed-Furniture Refurbishment🛖Guest ExperienceReclaimed-Furniture RefurbishmentEasy–Medium · 20–80 per piecePallet Daybed / Lounge Platform🛖Guest ExperiencePallet Daybed / Lounge PlatformEasy · 80–200 per unitBottle / Jar Solar Lanterns🛖Guest ExperienceBottle / Jar Solar LanternsEasy · 5–20 per lanternCable-Reel Coffee Tables🛖Guest ExperienceCable-Reel Coffee TablesEasy · 40–100 per tableSecond Life Object Story Tags / QR Codes📸Content & BrandingSecond Life Object Story Tags / QR CodesEasy · 10–30 total systemBefore / After Photo Stations📸Content & BrandingBefore / After Photo StationsEasy · 20–50 per stationReclaimed-Wood Signage / Logo Wall📸Content & BrandingReclaimed-Wood Signage / Logo WallMedium · 80–200
56modules
12zones
52volunteer-friendly
26easy to start

Audio guide

Listen to the library while you work

A narrated walkthrough of the build — for the road, or hands-busy on site.

Map of the projectThe whole library as a mind map — expand the branches to explore zones and systems.
  • Sistema de Uso de Pedra
    • Princípios de Design
      • Material Gratuito: Granito local
      • Criação à volta de formas naturais
      • Técnica Plug & Feather (baixo ruído/pó)
    • Classificação de Segurança
      • Verde: Seguro (Caminhos, Espirais de ervas)
      • Laranja: Verificar (Plintos, Degraus, Muros <0.6m)
      • Vermelho: Estrutural/Fogo (Lareiras, Muros >0.6m)
    • Catálogo de Padrões (Exemplos)
      • Círculo de Fogo Premium
      • Caminho Caravana para Sauna
      • Muros de Alvenaria Seca
      • Plinto de Entrada da Sauna
  • Estação de Lançamento de Machado
    • Conceito e Versões
      • Versão A: MVP Seguro (Plástico/Cerdas)
      • Versão B: Estação Desportiva (Madeira real)
      • Versão C: Premium Rústico (Pérgula e Granito)
    • Especificações Técnicas (WATL)
      • Distância de lançamento: 3.66m
      • Altura do centro do alvo: 1.52m
      • Madeira do alvo: Pinho/Choupo (grão vertical)
    • Segurança e Legal
      • Apenas supervisão treinada
      • Armazenamento trancado de machados
      • Verificação de seguro Responsabilidade Civil
      • Regra Estrita: Álcool zero
  • Estratégia de Upcycling
    • Pilares da Marca
      • Honestidade (manter marcas de desgaste)
      • Rústico por Design (simplicidade intencional)
      • Focado na Terra (materiais locais)
    • Banco de Materiais Reutilizados
      • Paletes HT (Camas de jardim, decks)
      • Blocos de EPS (Isolamento de paredes)
      • Contentores IBC (Aquaponia, recolha de água)
      • Pneus (Lixeiras, lastro, exercícios)
  • Infraestrutura e Sistemas
    • Sistema de Água
      • Cascata de IBCs para água da chuva
      • Filtro de zona de raízes (águas cinzentas)
      • Tanque elevado (distribuição gravítica)
    • Higiene e Bem-estar
      • Toilete Seco Compostável
      • Duche Solar (aquecimento passivo)
      • Ginásio de Pedra (Pedra Forte)
Difficulty
Cost
Volunteers
Stage

💧 Water Systems

Catch it, clean it, move it by gravity.

Every retreat lives or dies by its water. Before any comfort is built, we harvest rain from roofs into food-grade IBCs, divert the dirty first flush, and let gravity carry clean water downhill — no pumps, no grid.

The principle. Multi-barrier, not single-point. Sediment, then biology, then storage on a level plinth so water always flows where you want it. Food-grade containers only — never a tank that once held chemicals.
  • First-flush diverter is mandatory
  • Food-grade IBCs only, kept in shade
  • Level the plinth — water seeks level

🚿 Dry Toilet & Shower

Closing the loop, hygienically.

Off-grid sanitation that turns waste into fertility without contaminating water. Twin-chamber compost toilets, urine-diversion soak-aways and sun-warmed gravity showers — sited carefully, vented properly.

The principle. Separation and siting are everything. Solids and urine kept apart, every unit at least 10–15 m from any water source, vent stacks that actually draw. Volunteer induction before first use, always.
  • Separate solids from urine
  • ≥10–15 m from any water source
  • 20-minute hygiene induction first

🪨 Pathways & Signage

How guests move and find their way.

The land becomes navigable: granite stepping-stones for permanence, woodchip-and-log paths for soft forest routes, hand-painted pallet signs and engraved slate markers to guide and tell stories.

The principle. Safe underfoot in all weather. Non-slip stone, gaps too small to trap a heel, a 2% cross-fall so water always drains. Every surface tested by a gloved hand before a bare foot ever touches it.
  • Non-slip finish, ≤5 cm joint gaps
  • 2% cross-fall for drainage
  • No sharp edges at guest height

🔥 Fire & Gathering

The social heart of the retreat.

Where the day ends. Granite fire circles, intimate seating pits and upcycled side tables built from the land's own stone — designed for golden-hour gatherings around a contained flame.

The principle. Fire is the one element that needs sign-off. A non-combustible base is mandatory, vegetation cleared at least 10 m back, and seating stones stable enough to trust after a glass of wine.
  • Fire design requires sign-off
  • Wildfire clearance ≥10 m
  • Non-combustible base mandatory

🧖 Sauna & Wellness

Heat, cold, and the space between.

A wellness ritual built from pallets and salvage: a stone plinth foundation, pallet-clad cabin walls, reclaimed-window chill shelters and a cable-drum cold-plunge surround.

The principle. Damp-proof and plumb. A stone plinth with a DPC stops capillary moisture, walls go up plumb and level, steam vents stay clear, and only safety glass goes anywhere guests sit.
  • DPC under the plinth is mandatory
  • HT pallets only — never MB
  • Safety glass in all guest areas

🍳 Outdoor Kitchen

The heart of every shared day.

Pallet-and-granite counters, IBC-cage larders, salvaged-door pantries, wine-barrel sinks with greywater, and a brick rocket stove — a full working kitchen at close to zero material cost.

The principle. Food-safe and stable. HT pallets only, food-grade containers for anything touching food, non-combustible worktops near flame, and the rocket stove always outdoors with a reviewed flue.
  • HT pallets + food-grade only
  • Non-combustible worktop near flame
  • Rocket stove outdoors, reviewed flue

💪 Natural Gym

An open-air strength garden.

Scaffold-tube pull-up rigs, cast atlas stones, charred log press bars and sandbag sets — a complete strength park built from galvanised tube, concrete and reclaimed timber to EN 16630 thinking.

The principle. Footings and cure time are non-negotiable. Posts set 600 mm deep, fittings torqued and thread-locked, and cast concrete left the full 28 days — green concrete shatters under a first lift.
  • Footings ≥600 mm deep
  • Concrete cures the full 28 days
  • ≥1.5 m fall zone around rigs

🌱 Garden & Aquaponics

Food that grows itself.

A two-tank aquaponics MVP where fish feed plants and plants clean water, plus stone herb spirals, pallet vertical planters, bathtub beds and tyre potato towers — layered, productive, photogenic.

The principle. Cycle before you stock. Food-grade IBC only, a backup air pump as life-support, a water test kit that is non-negotiable, and no fish in the system until it is biologically cycled and legal with DGAV/ICNF.
  • Food-grade IBC + backup air pump
  • Cycle 6 weeks before adding fish
  • Verify fish legality (DGAV/ICNF)

🚐 Caravan & Stay

Turning a caravan into a home in the land.

Pallet cladding and skirting, reclaimed-window porches, pallet decks with steps, tyre levelling pads and salvaged-door interior refits — wrapping a basic caravan in warmth and belonging.

The principle. Never block what keeps it safe. Vents and gas outlets stay clear, joists rest on stone or concrete pads (never bare soil), steps rise evenly, and metal flashing keeps rot away from the base.
  • Never cover vents or gas outlets
  • Joists on stone/concrete, not soil
  • Even step rise ≤18 cm, anti-slip

🔧 Storage & Workshop

Where the build keeps itself organised.

Pallet tool walls with shadow boards, IBC-cage lockers, a salvaged-door workshop shed, cable-drum workbenches and pallet timber racks — order that makes every other build faster.

The principle. Mounted, rated, braced. Heavy tools on hooks rated for the load, sharp tools at chest height, tall stacks braced against wind, and a shed roof pitched at least 15° so water never sits.
  • Hooks rated for tool weight
  • Sharp tools at chest height
  • Shed roof ≥15° pitch

🛖 Guest Experience

The comfort guests remember.

Refurbished reclaimed furniture, pallet daybeds, bottle solar lanterns and cable-reel coffee tables — the soft, finishing layer that turns a build site into a place people want to stay.

The principle. Soft to the touch, safe by design. Everything sanded smooth and stable, finishes non-toxic and exterior-grade, glass tempered, and raised platforms edged so a relaxed guest never finds the drop.
  • Sand smooth, finishes non-toxic
  • Tempered glass on tops
  • Edge-rail raised platforms

📸 Content & Branding

Telling the story as you build it.

Object story-tags with QR codes, before/after photo stations and a reclaimed-wood logo wall — the layer that captures every transformation and turns the build itself into the brand.

The principle. Consent, durability, working links. Guest permission before anyone is featured, weatherproof labels with smooth edges, tested QR links, and signage engineered if it is large or wind-exposed.
  • Guest consent before featuring
  • Weatherproof labels, smooth edges
  • Test every QR link before deploy

On video

The build library in motion

Visual tour (silent)
Narrated overview (with sound)

Lusitano Retreat

Build it with us

These modules are raised by hand during our 21-day September build sprint. Come and learn them on the land.