Silveira Tech Re-Generation Village
The mythical return to nature, in search of an idyllic harmony with natural living, has gained more media attention in recent times. However, it is far from being a concern exclusive to our modern age. This longing often arises from growing awareness of the undeniable environmental crisis, and the increasing anxiety and depression brought on by the intensity of urban life.
Parallel to that, rural regions in Portugal, such as in Serra da Lousã, are experiencing desertification, much like in some areas in Japan. These regions suffer from declining populations and economic stagnation due to their remote locations and limited access, which leave them disconnected from the rapid development and opportunities concentrated in major metropolitan centers.
To answer this challenge, a new lifestyle in a traditional environment is imagined, which can change the societal system as we know it, and become an alternative way of working in the near future.
As such, the intervention for the village’s urban area establishes a new identity while preserving its original character, using local materials, local scale, and not interfering with the harmony of the environment. Meanwhile, by adding new functions and connecting all these areas with internet and new technologies, it is possible to bring new life to these places.
The design seeks to integrate built elements with the existing ruins and natural landscape, by blending these through a unified formal and material approach, embracing diversity, rather than creating contrast, while reinforcing the identity of the whole.
In this way, a place located in the mountains, with valleys, in the countryside, can be transformed into a new workspace for young creatives interested in living in harmony with nature.
