Permaculture
LEARN AT MONTE ORADA
Think like nature, place nature first, leave a positive impact, enrich rather than extract and commit for long term benefits.
Nourish and be nourished back by abundance.
“Permaculture is a way of bringing together in a sensible system: ourselves and our communities, with whatever bit of land/space we are tending.
Permaculture addresses the way we live on this planet in a graceful and healthy way, respecting the plants and animals around us, and leaving the biosphere in a more productive and healthier state than we found it.”
Adobe & Taipa Buildings
PERMACULTURE
Most of the ancient ruins of Orada were recovered using the ancient local building technics using local materials and local knowledge: Taipa & Abobe buildings.
Also known as rammed earth, Taipa is a technique to build foundation, and walls and floors using only natural raw materials such as earth, gravel, rock, chalk and lime.
It is an ancient method that has been revived recently as a sustainable and natural building material. It has very interesting in terms of thermally massive, it is strong, durable and very beautiful.
BioPool
PERMACULTURE
The Biopool is a natural and live system, chemical-free, where all clarifying and purifying of the water is achieved through biological filters and plants rooted hydroponically in the system. The biopool has 2 areas: the swimming zone - is the area intended for swimming that resembles a conventional swimming pool and a regeneration zone, which consists of a lined overflow pool filled with specific filtration substrate and flora. Plants used for water regeneration are supplemented with decorative flowering species to create an attractive water garden environment. The biological processes that clean the water take place in this zone.
The fauna (birds, frogs and lizards) are attracted to the biopool, increasing biodiversity in the region.
The biopool is healthy for the environment and to us humans, because it is chemical-free. The temperature is always lukewarm.
Seed Bank
PERMACULTURE
Abundance is one of Juliana´s bright principles. She is the keeper of a live seed bank with more than 1000 varieties of species, most of them vegetables but also some fruits and flowers. We usually grow about 40 different kinds of tomatoes and 30 different pumpkins, plus a big variety of greens and root vegetables.
Solar Energy
PERMACULTURE
Solar hot water, solar pump and photovoltaic power - The Sun is the most abundant source of energy in our region. We have 300 days of sun per year, and we use it as much as we can, to pump and heat water and as electricity as well.
Cleaning & Hygiene
PERMACULTURE
This land gives us so much. We want to give back to her, saving her from toxicity. In Orada we only use biodegradable and organic detergents, soaps and shampoos. We treat the dark and grey waters, so we protect her keeping her purity.
Dry Toilets Composter
PERMACULTURE
In the bungalows, Teepees and Treehouses we have beautiful and comfortable Dry Toilets, that are prepared to treat human waste by a biological process called composting. This process leads to the decomposition of organic matter and turns human waste into compost-like material, destroying all its pathogens, during a two year period and going back to earth, as manure to our fruit trees.
Compost
PERMACULTURE
Creating soil is so important. We compost everything we can! There is so much value in "garbage". We compost kitchen and garden scraps, wood, ashes, cardboards etc.
We do not use chemical fertilizers, and composting reduces the impact of chemical fertilizers that runoff into our rivers, lakes and streams. After being composted , it returns valuable nutrients to the earth to help maintain soil quality and fertility.
Converted recycled containers
PERMACULTURE
To recycle containers into a livable space is a great way to recycle! They are affordable and relatively easy to transport, and because of their mobility they can be a solution when time and practicality are an issue. Containers are like adaptable structures, and natural materials can be used inside and outside to integrate them into the landscape.
Hot tube with fire wood
PERMACULTURE
Thick cast iron bath tube encased in stone framing prepared to be heated by firewood. The bath tube is outdoor, located in a beautiful setting with a view to a virgin green forest in the middle of nature.
