For those looking to build their dream bespoke home in beautiful surroundings, look no further than Reserva da Luz in the Western Algarve, Portugal. The location blends the simplicity of village life with awe-inspiring views. This well-established, quiet community has a number of oceanfront plots in its second phase for sale at highly competitive prices.
Large plots of 1,450 to 2,950m2, elevated and south-facing, are available at Reserva da Luz and better still all are oceanfront, with the option of a “turnkey offering.” Reserva da Luz Chairman Gerry Fagan has joined some of Portugal’s best service providers to ensure future owners can design and build their bespoke property while effortlessly being guided through local customs, laws, and planning regimes.
Reserva da Luz has an exceptional turnkey service available for those who purchase plots to build the house of their dreams, with a local Portuguese team of architects, project managers, and constructors ready to deal with national laws and planning regimes. The peace of mind from not having to worry about bureaucracy or project approval is reassuring, as is not having to do everything by yourself. Collaborating with highly trained experts as you choose the best option for your dream home and how it can work with the environment is a rewarding experience.
Project Manager Rui Mateus, responsible for town planning, has dedicated the last 20 years to project management, liaising with clients, managing the land, potential, scheduling, and licensing. “Rather than handing people what we think they want, we provide the plots to let people design and construct exactly what they want,” Rui assured.
Rui Mateus
A native of the land, Rui combines his local knowledge with his understanding of management and architecture. With a Degree in Architecture, a Postgraduate in Construction Economics and Technology, and a Master’s in Economics Design for the Circular Economy, Rui provides relevant support throughout the process, starting with choosing the most suitable plot. “The priorities are always the client’s preferences and needs, from the construction details to the most suitable materials. We help them define their ideas and decide which project will best suit their objectives,” emphasised Rui.
All the preparation is done collectively, with the possibility of visualising the house in 3D; Rui believes that “a good project isn’t just about having a beautiful vision, it’s also about humanised design, quality technical work, and a focus on efficiency. We always choose sustainable options related to both water management and the landscaping itself”.
With Reserva’s team ready, it is now just a question of when and how you wish to take ownership of your new home.
In Portimão there is an architecture studio headed by three partners with different backgrounds and visions who, together, develop unique projects with a “Moroccan touch and Portuguese techniques”.
Dutch entrepreneur Arnold Aarssen and Portuguese architects Joana Dalmau Pinto and João Carriço are behind StudioArte Architecture & Design, which was founded in 2002 with the aim of serving the life purpose of its clients.
Arnold Aarssen, João Carriço and Joana Dalmau Pinto
They have been working together for almost 14 years on different projects that include new residential modern and bioclimatic homes, rehabbing projects (which they call ‘rehab labs’), and commercial buildings, always with the aim of defining new ways of living set to high standards and contemporary designs, “more economical and conscious, whilst respecting the environment and the natural resources”, said the StudioArte CEO.
Casa Simão
Arnold Aarssen is a big traveller and has moved more than 30 times. In 1994, he bought a plot of land with three houses on it in Silves, one of which was his own and, 10 years later, he extended it to be the StudioArte office. His professional career began in the hotel industry, which gave him the opportunity to work in project development and architecture in this area.
Casa da Fé
He is currently part of two other Portuguese companies active in real estate and property design, named Espírito Verde (partner of BioclimaticHouses, focusing on sustainable and eco-friendly projects), and Generoso e Poético. Simultaneously, he is working on new high-quality kitchen lines, and on a furniture line, as well as in various development projects in the Algarve. He considers himself a creative and self-taught person, who has learned to design houses, home features, kitchens, and outdoor areas. Since he has travelled so much and lived in several countries, he believes that working in Portuguese architecture requires local professionals with an understanding of legal matters, City Council procedures and who can speak the language.
Casa Simão
That is why he hired João, from Peniche, and Joana, who is originally from Silves but was working in Lisbon at the time. Both had different ambitions: João wanted to be a DJ and Joana a painter, but their talent for putting creative ideas to paper and turning dream houses into reality led them to architecture, where they mix lines, shapes, volumes, and play with lights and colours.
bioclimatichouses
It all started in a studio located in Silves, but Portimão’s proximity to the sea and the river led the team to choose a workplace with more “city life”, said Arnold Aarssen, who acts as the creative director and consultant of StudioArte, confessing that he had no doubts when making this decision. “We should be in a city that has what we need most,” he explained, adding that the many “houses falling into pieces” he saw made him realise that “there was work to do”.
Casa Simão
Currently, Arnold leads a multinational team of 16 architects and interior designers, half of which are Portuguese. From Italians, Argentinians, Brazilians, and Dutch, to Tunisians, they all live in Portimão, in accommodation provided by the company. Their daily tasks are based on property development and project management, both nationally and internationally, with projects in the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy, many in private villas, and luxury renovations. Arnold Aarssen believes StudioArte stands out for its “uniqueness” and sets itself apart with its “specific Portuguese and sustainable signature”, with an easily identifiable concept, and adds that this characteristic brings them “a very wide variety of clients”.
Casa Joana
The lines of the houses and the use of light are the architects’ primary concerns, such as the hidden windows or a certain angle in the façade. “We work a lot with a blind wall from the northern part to protect people from the cold and we play with the light in a way that lets it come in but leaving the sun out,” illustrated the creative director.
Even though they have a lot in common, each work has its own particularities, which can be seen in the company’s reference projects, such as Casa Simão, Casa Joana and Vale da Lama. The first one distinguishes itself by its solid geometric shapes developed over several levels and suspended glass walkways, with a dry-garden landscape concept. Meanwhile, Casa Joana has an expansive and open feeling, based on a minimalist approach and a stylish little courtyard and a splash pool. In a different approach there is Vale da Lama, a building where a sustainable structure integrates the terrain and the ground, instead of discarding it, creating a green roof that helps regulate the temperature, and reduce the amount of storm-water runoff.
Casa Joana
Comfort and privacy are always taken into consideration, as are the customers’ wishes. “It’s important to listen carefully to the client’s dream and understand if it’s possible to do the job”, Arnold clarified, highlighting that they do not accept “impossible missions”. Their procedure is simple: it always starts with a “pre-check”, followed by a proposal in which the team presents the idea, the whole process, and a price scheme.
Nearly all of the projects approved by StudioArte use a mix of materials in order to be as eco-friendly as possible. “We prioritise wooden structures and roofs, cork and natural insulation, and ventilated foundation,” Arnold commented, emphasising that these are national products installed by local professionals. The concern for the environment is reflected in the aim of reducing certain features in the Algarve, such as gardens with grass or huge swimming pools, to save water, or air conditioning, giving more cost-effective solutions to maintain a pleasant temperature at home.
The desire to explore “urban development” in a city that “attracts different types of tourists” has helped the company grow since its creation. StudioArte is preparing to move to a large property in Rua Infante Dom Henrique, where there will be a big office working with many partners. But that is not all; on top will be built “one of the most beautiful penthouses in Portimão”, according to Arnold Aarssen.
StudioArte’s goal is to become a “well-known company” throughout Europe and change mentalities by promoting respect for nature. “We want to move fast and promote the healthiest way of living,” highlighted Arnold, stressing that “every small step is significant for the near future”.
Madalena Telo’s robust pieces are inspired by the Algarve coast and the landscapes of the hills in Monchique
– November 28, 2023 | Text Maria Simiris
With a degree in Fine Arts, Madalena Telo finds inspiration for her ceramic pieces in the landscapes of the hills and the textures of the rocks on the Algarve coast. Since 2016, she has been working every day on the potter’s wheel in her studio in Monchique, but she was first introduced to this ancient art form many years ago.
“My parents are potters, as was my grandfather. From the day I was born, that was the universe I had around me to express myself,” she recalls.
After finishing her studies, she decided to follow in her family’s footsteps and, although she uses many techniques in her work, she follows only one artisanal recipe to make clay.
Madalena Telo makes the most of the spring to collect the clay in the Alferce area and, after preparing it, she combines it with other clay from a quarry in Caldas da Rainha. Although this is a time-consuming process and there are alternatives, such as buying the clay ready to be used, the Algarve ceramist insists on this method.
“I really like using Monchique clay because it ties in with the style of my work and being connected to nature. When I’m working, it makes all the difference to know where the raw material came from, when it was harvested and prepared. It’s almost like a ritual that I want to believe is felt in the final result,” she states.
The craftswoman describes her work as “utilitarian, above all else,” but adds that she tries to incorporate a sculptural element into all her pieces. “I like them to be robust, even if at first glance they seem delicate. I like to make pieces that people feel are handmade through a long and conscious process. But, above all, they are practical pieces that can be used every day and not just on special occasions,” Madalena Telo explains.
In fact, this is another characteristic of ceramics that inspires her the most: its durability. “Some pieces have been lost over time, some were even used over a hundred years ago and were very typical of that time. I like to re-create those shapes and modernise them in my own style.”
However, as this is a material that lasts several decades, the artisan’s responsibility is even greater. “There are many archaeological finds that contain clay. Even when they break, they don’t disappear. I realise this more and more when I’m producing a piece. Before baking it, I like to stop and make sure that I’m happy with it and that it’s going to be functional because I know it will have to last for years,” she says.
Her catalogue includes cups, cutlery, plates, tiles, jugs and vases of various sizes and shapes. Each piece takes at least three weeks to complete “because they have to be done slowly”, and Madalena Telo is guided by the seasons.
“The process is slower during the winter because there is a lot of humidity in the air and the pieces take longer to dry, but this is fantastic because it allows me to make pieces with other characteristics that aren’t possible in the summer, as they dry very quickly,” she explains.
In the Algarve, there are already a number of places where you can find pieces with Madalena Telo’s signature, such as coffee shops, fine-dining restaurants and boutique hotels.
“These are all interesting projects, particularly linked to sustainability”, as is the case with Loki in Portimão, by chef João Marreiros, considered the most sustainable restaurant in Portugal.
Also in the western Algarve, in Aljezur, at the Koyo coffee shop, you can taste coffees from around the world in cups made by Madalena Telo.
And at Austa, a restaurant in Almancil focussed on local production, you will also find some pieces by the Monchique artisan.
Internationally, she has received orders from all over Europe, the United States, Japan and even New Zealand – the latter is a project the ceramist cannot forget.
“I created some spoons after the 2016 Monchique wildfires. I noticed that the trees, cistus and bushes looked burnt, but when you removed the black layer, the wood was still beautiful. The way I found to give this wood a second life was to create ceramic spoons with wooden handles. A Portuguese emigrant wrote to tell me that she felt a very strong connection to my work and asked me to send the pieces to New Zealand. The truth is that I may live in an isolated place, but I feel connected to the whole world,” says Madalena Telo.
To find out more about the work of the Monchique ceramist or to place an order, you can visit her social media pages.
This year, Lagoa will celebrate its “biggest Christmas ever”, with an ice rink, carousels, Christmas fairs across the Municipality, musical shows, walks, nativity scenes, street parties and lots of children’s entertainment
– November 27, 2023 | Text Alexandra Stilwell | Photo JackF, Getty Images
Starting this November 30, Christmas-themed activities and entertainment will be held across the Municipality to entertain and delight “kids” of all ages.
The Municipality of Lagoa is preparing “the biggest Christmas ever” with a vast programme for children and adults, including an ice rink, carousels, Christmas fairs across the Municipality, musical shows, walks, nativity scenes, streetparties and lots of children’s entertainment.
Lagoa will host its Christmas celebrations between November 30 and December 30 on the Carlos do Carmo Municipal Auditorium square, the Christmas epicentre of the Municipality.
The square will feature an ice rink, carousels, Santa’s grotto, shows for children and seniors, and musical shows for everyone. The activities will be open to the public from Monday to Friday, between 2pm and 7pm, on Saturdays from 10am to 9pm and Sundays from 10am to 7pm.
On Fridays, there will be shows at 3.30pm for the senior community. On Saturdays, at 6pm, musical performances and on Sundays, at 3.30pm, children’s entertainment. Entry is free, as is using the carousels and ice rink.
Next weekend, Ferragudo will host Artenataon the Largo Rainha D. Leonor. The oldest Christmas fair in the Municipality will feature various crafts, delicious delicacies, seasonal food, and plenty of entertainment.
On December 7, 8, 9 and 10, the city of Lagoa will host the Lagoa Christmas Fair on the Largo do Auditorio Municipal Carlos do Carmo, with more than 20 exhibitors, a parade of more than 600 Fathers Christmases and lots of children’s entertainment.
On the 8, 9 and 10, Christmas will also arrive in Porches with a Christmas Fair in the town’s urban centre with over15 exhibitors selling the best regional products, the opportunity to participate in a “Reindeer Walk”, beautiful Christmas lights and lots of entertainment.
The following weekend (15, 16 and 17), a Christmas Fair will take place in Carvoeiro, next to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação, and in Estômbar, in the municipal garden. On the 21, 22 and 23, it will be Parchal‘s turn to hold a Christmas Fair.
The city of Lagoa will also host a unique and highly successful event, the “Living Statues”. The show will take place on December 15, between 2.30pm and 5.30pm, and on the 16th, between 10am and 1pm, on the Rua 25 de Abril.
The Carlos do Carmo Municipal Auditorium will also host a Christmas concert by the Algarve Jazz Orchestra on December 16 at 7pm, and the Municipal Library of Lagoa will host various Christmas-themed performances, namely plays, such as “Luminous Elves” on December 9 between 10.30am and 11.30am.
Sons d’Aquém Mar Music Festival returns for its 4th edition
– November 17, 2023
The 4th Sons d’Aquém Mar is a “captivating event featuring concerts that celebrate the richness of music and culture”, promising to transport the audience into a world of musical and historical experiences.
The concerts will take place on November 24 and 25, and December 1, 8 and 16, in various venues in the Lagoa municipality.
Programme:
November 24 | S. José Convent | 7pm – historical re-enactment dating back to 1773. Actors and musicians will create characters and scenes that date back to the end of the 18th century, taking the audience on an immersive journey through time. Entrance is free, and limited to available seats. For reservations: eventos@artis21.pt
November 25 | Quinta da Palmeirinha | 4.30pm – Joana Bagulho, harpsichord concert featuring works transcribed from the music of Carlos Paredes, interwoven with works from the 18th century. Before the concert, a short film by Patricia Leal and Beatriz Cardoso will be presented, addressing environmental issues and water scarcity in the Algarve. Tickets cost €5 per person and can be purchased via artisxxi.bol.pt. Entrance is free for children under 16.
December 1 | Lagoa Mother Church | 7pm – The Orquestra Barroca D’Aquém Mar orchestrawill present a Christmas concert featuring works by Bach, Telemann and Buxtehude, under the direction of Sigiswald Kuijken. Tickets cost €5 per person and can be purchased via artisxxi.bol.pt. Entrance is free for children under 16.
December 8 | Porches Church | 7pm – Listeners will journey through the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical periods with music written for wind instruments, in ”A History of Wind”. Tickets cost €5 per person and can be purchased via artisxxi.bol.pt. Entrance is free for children under 16.
December 16 | Estômbar Church | 7pm – Group B’rbicacho (featuring viola da gamba, adufe, guitar and vocals) will perform “De Maria em Maria”, a look at Marian devotion in traditional and popular music. It aims to spread the Portuguese musical heritage around the world and tell the tales hidden in this repertoire. Tickets cost €5 per person and can be purchased via artisxxi.bol.pt. Entrance is free for children under 16.
A new edition of Lagoa’s Christmas Living Statues has been announced, bringing performers who can remain stationary for several hours.
The event will bring 16 living statues to Lagoa on December 15 (Friday) from 2.30pm to 5.30pm and December 16 (Saturday) from 10am to 1pm.
A wide range of characters will be interpreted by the performers in Rua 25 de Abril and Largo 5 de Outubro, from scenes from the nativity to historical figures.
As part of the municipality’s 250th anniversary celebrations, the living statue of King Dom José I, who officially established Lagoa as a “vila” (village), will be a highlight this year.
During the event, visitors will vote for their favourite living state, and a jury will select the top performer.
“This pioneering event in the south of Portugal aims to promote and dignify artistic creation in this unique performative art form with the best artists at the national level, whilst simultaneously bringing life to the centre of Lagoa and boosting local commerce during the Christmas season,” says Lagoa Municipal Council in a statement to the press.
Article originally published by Michael Bruxo on Portugal Resident.
