Melides, Setúbal Municipality

A land that invites you to breathe slowly: 10 hectares of Alentejo landscape ready to be felt with all the senses. Located in an environment of open countryside and ample light, this plot presents itself as a natural setting of high quality - a spacious canvas where ideas of life, project and recovery are articulated with the calm of the Alentejo coast. The size speaks for itself (10 hectares is equivalent to 100,000 m²): enough space to design a rural tourism project that respects the scale and serenity of the territory, to create olive groves, orchards of Mediterranean varieties, agroforestry areas and paths integrated into nature. In the center of this composition there is a ruin with 32.00 m² - a built body that allows a realistic starting point for a rehabilitation intervention, either as a rustic house or as a small support center for the development. The presence of this construction gives immediate materiality to the project: it allows for a more contained architectural fit, with a reduced footprint and greater capacity for integration into the landscape. The place offers sensory qualities that enhance any proposal: prolonged Mediterranean light, wide horizons, gentle winds from the ocean that temper the warm months and nights of clear skies that invite astronomical observation. The local biodiversity - small mammals, meadow birds and native vegetation - contributes to an environment conducive to nature tourism experiences, wellness retreats, artist residencies or small-scale agroecological projects. The smooth topography and the possibilities of natural drainage allow for various landscaping and soil conservation solutions, maintaining the original identity of the place. In terms of location, the land is strategically positioned a short distance from the village of Grândola and the coastal sand that characterizes the areas of Melides and Comporta. This relationship between countryside and sea offers the rare combination of serene isolation and accessibility - the proximity to the beaches is a natural asset for programs that seek to combine calm stay and coastal experiences. In addition, the region maintains a relatively quick connection to Lisbon, allowing it to combine a discreet presence in the countryside with metropolitan access when necessary. The area includes typical landscapes of the coastal Alentejo: a territorial matrix marked by patches of native vegetation, historical records of agrarian use and an atmosphere that favors quieter rhythms. These attributes make the land attractive for those looking for low-impact projects, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability, the enhancement of the built heritage and quality local production. From a practical point of view, the 32 m² ruin works as a catalyst for intervention: it reduces the initial costs of implementing a project and offers the opportunity to create an architectural program that is consistent with local constraints. In addition, the extension of the land facilitates the creation of discreet infrastructures (water points, internal paths, small gardens and living areas) without compromising the landscape essence. Any intervention should be designed in conjunction with local technicians and competent municipal bodies, ensuring respect for planning standards and good environmental practices. The possibilities of use are varied and complementary: recovery for permanent or secondary housing with low land occupation; rural tourism project with small accommodation units integrated into the landscape; niche farms (olive groves, aromatics, high quality fruit growing); and environmental education and community resourcing programs. Each option will be able to explore the logic of conservation and local production that is increasingly valued today by visitors and residents. This property offers a rare starting point: a generous area, a built vestige that makes it easy to get around.