Designing the Future with Kengo Kuma

Agata Grzegorzek
Jun 4
3 min read

Updated: Jun 5

In May, we had the incredible honor of welcoming world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma to Silveira Tech Re_generation Village! Together, we are embarking on a visionary collaboration to revive three abandoned Schist Villages nestled in the heart of the Serra da Lousã mountains.

The Silveira Village Project: Restoring the Past, Shaping the Future

If you've been following our journey, you likely know Silveira Tech from our large-scale reforestation efforts — a long-term commitment to restoring over 230 hectares of mountain landscape, with a 50-year vision for ecological regeneration and biodiversity revival. But there's another equally ambitious goal at the heart of our mission: reviving three long-abandoned Schist Villages.

Once vibrant communities, Silveira de Baixo, Silveira de Cima, and Pé da Lomba have stood silent for more than six decades. Today, they are ruins — but they’re not forgotten. With the support of Kengo Kuma and his team, we’re working to bring new life to these ancient sites, while honoring their cultural and historical legacy.

Our vision is to create a thriving rural hub where entrepreneurs, digital nomads, researchers, and creatives can live, work, and connect — all in harmony with nature. By integrating ecological resilience, community building, and digital connectivity, we hope to establish a new model for rural innovation and regenerative living.

What’s Coming to the Villages

Silveira de Baixo will feature a rural hotel and 35 eco houses, designed with natural materials and rooted in traditional architecture.
Silveira de Cima will become a center for ecological education, focusing on agroforestry, permaculture, and hands-on learning in environmental regeneration.
Pé da Lomba is where a Personal Development Centre will emerge, offering a space for growth, wellness, and deep reconnection with oneself.

Kengo Kuma’s Architectural Vision

Kengo Kuma’s philosophy of "building in harmony with nature" is deeply aligned with our mission. His commitment to using local materials, respecting the natural landscape, and working closely with local artisans is exactly what’s needed to revive these villages without compromising their spirit.

“Our intervention is based on revitalizing the villages, using the same materials, the same scale, and not interfering with the harmony of the environment. The buildings will maintain their traditional spirit, but we intend to add new functions to them.”

– Kengo Kuma

👉 Read the full interview with Kengo Kuma

Kuma envisions these villages as a new kind of workspace for young creatives and professionals who seek to live closer to nature — an increasingly relevant trend in the post-urban era of remote work and regenerative living.

This partnership is a powerful step forward in our mission to blend traditional architecture, regenerative design, and modern technology — creating a blueprint for sustainable rural living.

A Dream That Took Root

Back in 2022, when the project was still in its infancy, we dared to dream big. We prepared an 80-page proposal and sent it to Kengo Kuma & Associates, not expecting much. To our amazement, just one week later, we received a positive response.

And now, just a few years later, here we are — shaping the future of Silveira Villages with one of the world’s most visionary architects by our side. This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Watch the Full Visit on YouTube

Want a behind-the-scenes look at Kengo Kuma’s visit to our land?

🎥 Check out the TVI Channel’s special report at our Basecamp in Silveira.

Follow Our Journey on YouTube!

Subscribe to our Silveira Tech YouTube channel to stay updated with the progress of our project. We're documenting every step of our path towards ecological restoration, regenerative agriculture, and the revitalization of 2 ancient abandoned villages on our land.