This project is inspired by the culture of Japanese wooden ar
chitecture, where nature takes on a central role as it influences
architectural reasoning. We aim to create a node that unites the
buildings and the landscape, where the essence of the architecture and the site become one.
Wooden architecture is not vernacular in Portugal, but it is evident for this project, as it blends into nature through a similarity of materiality with its environment. It is a functional and understated
design, where the technical arrangements necessary for bioclimatic principles are contributed to the design process.
We have designed a specific productive design for this project. For
the past four years, we have been working on the complete transfor
mation process of wood, from raw material to finished object. The
project is carried out exclusively with Portuguese woods, predomi
nantly eucalyptus. Eucalyptus is one of the predominant types of
wood in the Portuguese forest; it is primarily processed for pulp, thus
intended for single use. Therefore, we have decided to explore this
issue in order to offer a more noble use of this wood, to value the har
vested trees and to store carbon
To achieve this, we have taken over an abandoned industrial site in
Rio Maior, where we have set up our production «laboratory» with
Policronica (our technical branch of the project). Eucalyptus is often
considered unsuitable for construction because its sawing is com
plex and its drying is very long and difficult. For two years, we have
developed solar vacuum dryers (a hybrid drying technique drawing
from Canadian and Japanese methods) that allow for uniform and
rapid drying of eucalyptus
By mastering the entire transformation chain, we have also designed
sawing methods that enable us to utilize all parts of the trunk, parti
cularly for furniture manufacturing.
The arrangement of the buildings immersed in nature and the
uniqueness of the architecture greatly contribute to the experiential
dimension that travelers will experience.
FOR ANY QUESTION, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US BY PHONE OR EMAIL. WE’LL BE GLAD TO HELP YOU!
contact @ etosoto.com
Etosoto Cabo Espichel
Avenida 25 de Abril
Estrada Nacional 379 – Azóia
2970-171 Sesimbra, Portugal
