“So this idea of memory, it's very interesting because when you enter a specific space, when you get to a specific location, it's this idea that the house should bring you back to this long term memory. Giving you this feeling of comfort and of confidence as well because you've known this place for a long time.”
We’re in great company with João Rodrigues, Founder and Owner of Silent Living - a lifestyle of happiness and fulfillment that he pursues through a curated collection of stays around Portugal. What began as family residencies - gathering places for friends, family and travelers - has since opened for global guests to stay and experience these happy memories, moments of connection to the land, and genuine Portuguese hospitality.
What some may say is serendipity, and with admittedly no grand plan, João has slowly built over time a collection of five homes, a fifth generation farm, and fine dining restaurant, across the most fruitful regions of Portugal - Alentejo, Comporta and Lisbon - listening to the needs of his guests, local community and natural landscapes, throughout every step of the way.
In this episode, João shares personal passions and inspirational stories that make up the ingredients in his recipe for how to experience a home away from home at Silent Living.
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Top Takeaways
[1:55] João shares how living a life surrounded by a close knit family, yet taking to the skies as a pilot for TAP Airlines, has given him a great global perspective on where he wants to leave his legacy for this world and his children.
[6:00] Portuguese hospitality, while not unique to João and his family, is something they embrace fully at Silent Living - whether through a tour of the house or a friendly introduction to the chef and the housekeeper, he wants his worldly guests to feel at home.
[9:15] How João came to organically collect his houses across Alentejo, Comporta and Lisbon in Portugal, with multi-generational ties to these places, personal connections to the locals, dedicated attention to the history, and a desire to be authentic in each design aesthetic.
[17:00] Silent Living is a recipe that was inspired by guests and made with ingredients of Home, Local, Simplicity, Family, Nature, Material, Atmosphere, and most importantly for João, Memory.
[32:30] Practicing holistic management and regenerative agriculture at Herdade no Tiempo, not only provides products and produce to Lisbon’s fine dining restaurant Ceia - but together through a creative tasting menu they raise awareness of climate change, offering a new taste of living in harmony with nature.
[43:00] The future for Silent Living goes beyond singular houses, a farm, and a restaurant, looking to build a small village for sustainably minded locals and visitors alike.
Notable Mentions
Allan Savory’s TED Talk on Desertification
