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.

All build modules · 💧 Water Systems

Swale / Natural Infiltration Zone

  • Medium
  • €50–100
  • ⏱ 1.5-2 days (2-3 workers)
  • With supervision
Swale / Natural Infiltration Zone — step-by-step guide

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.

Materials

  • Site excavation
  • geotextile lining
  • coarse gravel infill
  • native plants (willows
  • sedges
  • rushes)
  • marker stakes

Tools

  • Spade/mattock
  • shovel
  • wheelbarrow
  • level
  • plant spade
  • stakes

Reclaimed from

Site materials + Floresta Comum (plants) + local nursery + Leroy Merlin

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.