Experience bioarchitecture, nature and creative exchange in Bom Jardim, RJ, Brazil

Infos

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  Description

  This is a place for creativity, exchange and connection with nature in the highlands of Rio de Janeiro state, near the small town of Bom Jardim.
  
  This place was created in 1987 by architect Johan, author of The Barefoot Architect, and artist Rose. Together they began restoring the land, planting trees and creating a place where people from different backgrounds could meet, experiment, exchange knowledge and explore natural building, environmental education, art, appropriate technologies and sustainable ways of living.
  
  Johan and Rose had two sons, Peter and Marc, who both became part of the place's story at different periods of their lives.
  
  Peter initially followed a creative path through art, filmmaking and architecture before increasingly dedicating himself to developing and sharing the knowledge he had learned from Johan. Over the years, his work has included bioarchitecture, agroecology, geobiology and community projects in different parts of the world. He has taught courses and workshops in Brazil and internationally and is a World Bamboo Ambassador. He is Bruno's father.
  
  Marc worked for many years with photography and later became involved in activities related to construction, sustainability and environmental education. He was Dylan's father.
  
  Veronica, Peter's partner and Bruno's mother, has been part of the place's story for many years. An entrepreneur from Mexico, her background includes contemporary art, cultural projects, publishing, and the organization and development of projects in Brazil and Mexico. She and Peter live at the place and are involved in caring for the place and helping shape its future.
  
  Bruno and Dylan, Johan and Rose's grandsons, are now actively participating in the place.
  
  Bruno grew up here, learning through everyday life alongside his family, local staff, teachers and apprentices. After spending time traveling and developing his own path as an artist, aviator and musician, he has returned here with new perspectives, energy and ideas to share.
  
  Dylan grew up abroad but remained closely connected to Brazil and his family. After traveling and living in different countries, and developing his own path as an artist, musician and entrepreneur, he has now moved to this place and become actively involved in caring for the place and its future.
  
  Together, Bruno and Dylan represent its continuity.
  
  Two experienced members of our local team, who have worked with the family for many years and learned directly from Johan and Peter, also come to this place twice a week and take care of essential ongoing work.
  
  Life here is rural and peaceful. The place has gardens and fruit trees, a vegetable garden, workshops, a library, a meditation room, a traditional temazcal and shared living spaces, surrounded by green hills and Atlantic Forest landscapes.
  
  This place is not a hotel. It is our home, and we hope to welcome people who are genuinely curious about the place, enjoy sharing knowledge and cultures, and would like to participate in its everyday life while helping us care for what has been built here over almost four decades.
  
  Some things need care.
  Some need restoration.
  Some need to be rediscovered.
  And some things have not been imagined yet.
  
  There are no formal courses or fixed classes. Knowledge is shared naturally through everyday life, practical experience and conversation — and perhaps you will arrive knowing something that none of us knows and share it with us.
  
  That is this place too.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage d'entretien

  Projets DIY créatifs

  Aide dans une ferme

  Aide à la maison

  Petits travaux d'entretien
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Technologie

  

  Vie en van

  

  Films et télé

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Ferme

  

  Culture

  

  Vidéographie

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Montagne

  

  Nature

  

  Sports d'aventure

  

  Danse

  

  Camping

  

  Randonnée

  

  Activités en plein air

  

  Auto-stop

  

  Écriture

  

  Musique

  

  Livres

  

  Jardinage

  

  Langues

  

  Histoire

  

  Photographie

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Dessin et peinture

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Menuiserie

  

  Art et design

  

  Architecture

  

  Animaux
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Cultural exchange has always been part of life at this place. Over the years, people from different countries and backgrounds have passed through this place, bringing their own experiences, ideas and ways of seeing the world.
  
  Our family also has an international history. Across different generations, we have lived, studied, worked or spent time in Brazil, Mexico, the United States, England, Germany, France and other parts of the world.
  
  Portuguese, Spanish and English are spoken at the place, and much of the exchange happens naturally through everyday life: working together, sharing the kitchen, spending time around the house and gardens, or simply sitting down for a conversation.
  
  And conversations here can go almost anywhere.
  
  They might begin with bioarchitecture, bamboo or agroforestry and end up with art, music, literature, botany, biology, architecture, photography, filmmaking, travel or different cultures and ways of living. On another day, someone might be talking about how winds behave in the sky, what it is like to fly, or what it takes to climb a mountain.
  
  There are no formal classes. Knowledge and experiences are shared naturally, and the exchange goes both ways. We are just as curious about what you bring with you — your culture, experiences, skills and ideas.
  
  We also respect people's independence and personal space. Nobody is expected to spend all their free time together, but we enjoy the moments when conversations, meals, music and experiences are naturally shared.
  
  For us, that is what cultural exchange at the place is about.

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  Aide

  The kind of help we need at the place varies with the season, the weather and the projects underway. Most activities are practical and connected to caring for the place.
  
  Depending on what is happening during your stay, you may help with:
  • gardening, planting, pruning and caring for the vegetable garden;
  • harvesting seasonal fruits and produce;
  • caring for agroforestry systems;
  • preparing and processing seasonal products for shared community use;
  • helping with the care of our chickens when needed;
  • maintenance, painting and conservation of buildings and outdoor areas;
  • carpentry and woodworking;
  • organizing tools, materials and workshop spaces;
  • caring for paths and other outdoor areas;
  • natural building, bioarchitecture and bamboo activities when projects are underway;
  • appropriate technologies and practical solutions used at the place;
  • keeping shared spaces clean and organized.
  
  You do not need professional experience. We value curiosity, responsibility and a willingness to participate in practical activities. If you already have useful skills or experience, we are also interested in what you may want to share.
  
  Some activities are done together with Peter, Bruno, Dylan or other people at the place, while others may be carried out independently after receiving the necessary instructions. Two days a week, our experienced local team is also here, and you may sometimes work alongside them.
  
  Participants are not here to replace our local team. Activities can change according to the weather and the needs of the Sítio, so flexibility is important.

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant
  Espagnol: Courant
  Portugais: Courant

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  Hébergement

  During your stay, you will share a bedroom with a maximum of one other participant in the main house at the place. At this stage, we welcome a maximum of six participants at a time.
  
  Shared bathrooms with hot water are available. Bed linen is provided, but please bring your own towels.
  
  The main house has a large shared kitchen with a stove and oven, two refrigerators, cooking utensils, dishes and pantry/storage space.
  
  Meals are not provided, so participants are responsible for buying and preparing their own food. Depending on the season, fruits, vegetables or other products from this place may sometimes be shared, but these are not a guaranteed part of the stay. Cooking and eating together is always welcome when it happens naturally.
  
  There are laundry facilities and Wi-Fi, as well as shared spaces including the library, meditation room, dining area and central patio.
  
  This place is our home and a rural property, rather than a hostel or hotel. We ask everyone to take care of their own bedroom, clean up after themselves and help keep shared spaces pleasant.
  
  Internet normally works well, although storms can occasionally interrupt electricity or internet service.

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  Autres infos...

  This place is approximately 3 km from the small town of Bom Jardim, where you will find supermarkets, bakeries, pharmacies, restaurants and other basic services.
  
  Our family goes into town regularly, and when schedules match, you may sometimes join us for a ride. However, rides cannot be guaranteed, so you should be prepared to organize your own transportation when necessary.
  
  There is plenty to explore during your days off. The surrounding region has rural landscapes, waterfalls, hiking and mountain areas, including São José do Ribeirão, Barra de Santa Tereza and Pedra Aguda. Nova Friburgo is also nearby, as well as the mountain villages of Lumiar and São Pedro da Serra, with rivers, waterfalls, natural pools, cafés and restaurants.
  
  You can also simply spend your free time at the place, resting, reading or enjoying the gardens and surrounding nature.
  
  This is genuinely rural life, with insects, animals, rain, mud and uneven ground. Bring comfortable clothes that can get dirty, suitable shoes and rain protection.
  
  This place is our family home, so please respect private areas and the privacy of the people who live here. We generally observe quiet hours between 11 pm and 7 am.
  
  Responsible alcohol consumption is fine at appropriate times and places. Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas. Friends or family members cannot visit or stay at the place without prior approval, and participants cannot bring pets.
  
  Safety instructions must always be followed, and certain tools and machinery may only be used with specific authorization.
  
  Come prepared for a place with its own rhythm, where plans can sometimes change with the weather or the needs of the Sítio.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  Digital nomads are welcome. We have Wi-Fi that normally works well, although occasional interruptions can happen due to our rural location, especially during storms. If you work online, you are welcome to do so during your free time. Please keep in mind that we cannot guarantee uninterrupted internet access at all times.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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