Designed and custom-built for two artists by the renowned modernist Portuguese architect Bartolomeu Costa Cabral as both their dream family home and workspace - this home stands as a unique work of art in the midst of the rolling Alentejo countryside. The main house and art studios sit surrounded by 9 hectares of cork and oak trees with stunning views towards the horizon in every direction. A rare and secluded retreat immersed in nature.
"Architecture must speak to people; it must be a companion, giving meaning to the spaces it creates," reflected Bartolomeu Costa Cabral (1929–2024). His vision is brought to life in the retreat's design, where his signature trademarks—sensitivity to natural light, the choice of local materials, and the intelligent functionality of the spaces—are vividly expressed. The house's exterior features a series of natural volumes crafted from rammed earth, a traditional technique of southern Portugal, allowing the structure to appear as if it naturally emerges from the landscape. Visitors are welcomed through a lovely walled courtyard with two orange trees and a bubbling fountain.
The property is divided into two distinct volumes, each with its own entrance yet connected by a central patio that serves as a shady outdoor dining space. The main house includes a master suite and a family wing with a further double bedroom, two single bedrooms and shared bathroom. At the heart of the home is a spacious and well equipped kitchen, designed for those who love to cook and entertain. The second building was custom-designed for the artist owners as their workspace and studios. It includes a ceramics atelier, study, nap room, and a large warehouse space. This versatile area offers a blank canvas, ideal for use as a music studio, event space, or yoga studio. The space is licensed as residential, so it can also be converted into a second house with three bedrooms and a living room.
The estate combines sustainability with modern finishes, featuring solar panels, a roof water-cooling system, and bespoke windows and cabinetry. Outside, a spacious, partially covered terrace creates an ideal setting for al fresco dining and seamlessly connects to a wooden deck that wraps around the saltwater pool. Lined with green schist and shaped like a long tank, the pool is perfect for swimming laps and cooling off during Alentejo's warm summers. The surrounding orange and lemon trees add to the poetic charm of this unique place.
The Artist Retreat is situated within one of the most pristine areas of Alentejo, a sparsely populated region characterised by its iconic montado landscapes of cork trees and gently rolling hills. Life in Beja offers a rare combination of tranquillity and natural beauty, where the pace of life is dictated by the rhythms of nature. Known for its rich agricultural traditions, warm climate, and a strong sense of community, the region provides a peaceful and intimate place to call home. On clear nights, the sky reveals a breathtaking canopy of stars, offering moments of simple magic and calm.
There is the option to retain the current housekeeper, ensuring continuity and care for this special property.
Highlights
Artist Studio Space
Custom-built for two artists
Solar Panels
Roof Cooling System
Bespoke Cabinetry
Solar Panels
3 Fireplaces
Saltwater Pool




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Lisbon Showroom, Portugal

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