"AGRIAO"

Vision

Welcome to the “Agriao Forest” project, eco‑village and artist‑in‑residence space in the Azores. From the beginning we understand this place as a consciously political project: clearly left, anti‑racist, feminist and queer‑friendly, committed to climate justice and collective liberation. We (mostly white, cis and living with a lot of privilege) are not “experts”, but in an ongoing process of learning and unlearning. We invite people who come here to share this curiosity and to be willing to reflect, listen, make mistakes, give and receive feedback, and practice non‑violent and accountable ways of living together. Welcome to the “Agriao Forest” project, eco‑village and artist‑in‑residence space in the Azores. From the beginning we understand this place as a consciously political project: clearly left, anti‑racist, feminist and queer‑friendly, committed to climate justice and collective liberation. We (mostly white, cis and living with a lot of privilege) are not “experts”, but in an ongoing process of learning and unlearning. We invite people who come here to share this curiosity and to be willing to reflect, listen, make mistakes, give and receive feedback, and practice non‑violent and accountable ways of living together.
My name is Fite, I am an architect based in Berlin. After a long time of searching, an approximately 30‑hectare piece of forest next to the ocean has now been saved from commerce and exploitation. What you hear and see are the trees in the wind, the waves, the birds – not much more. It is a truly peaceful spot that offers a high level of privacy, nature and distance from noisy roads, barking dogs and neighbours. The view over the ocean is breathtaking.
Step by step we aim to develop a mindful and sustainable community and to build spaces for artists, academics, activists and others so they have a base to engage in socio‑communal work and at the same time focus on their own projects and ideas. We understand this forest as an opportunity to leave joyful, creative, socio‑ecological footprints in the world and, through this individual‑collective intervention, maybe make some sort of difference.
The project is just starting. At the moment we are creating basic accommodation such as professional bell tents, caravans and yurts, a communal kitchen, a shower area and other essential infrastructure such as water supply and solar‑energy systems. There is a lot to do, but we want to keep the process relaxed and not lose the joy of creating together. The path is part of the goal; we are under no pressure to achieve big results overnight, and sometimes less is also more.
Possible areas of engagement include syntropic agroforestry, permaculture, reforestation, planting fruit trees, beekeeping, animal care (chickens, horses, goats, pigs – not for consumption), community‑building processes, designing and creating physical spaces for short‑term visitors and future long‑term residents, and building a library. I personally work around the topics of sustainable architecture and ‘free spaces’ in a wider frame (insta: Insola.berlin).
You are also welcome to explore other topics and forms of engagement that make sense to you. Create your own space to facilitate your project. Our minds and ears are open; we are curious about your ideas, thoughts and perspectives, and happy to share, support and collaborate. As there is a lot of physical space, there is also space for diverse ideas and different ways of intervention and engagement.
Equally welcome are people who want to focus on other areas such as body–mind work, reading, painting, dancing, writing, working on a dissertation, meditation or simply having quiet time for themselves. If this is your focus, you are warmly invited.
You can freely choose your main areas of engagement and how much time you want to invest in them. This might be an unconventional approach compared to other projects, but we prefer that you follow what truly motivates you instead of fixed mandatory working hours defined only by us. Of course, it can also be a combination of both.
Climate: The Azores have a mild, subtropical climate, which was a major reason for choosing this place. Summers are usually not too hot (around 27 °C), winters not too cold (around 15 °C). The best months are from April to November; January and February can be stormy and rainy and may limit outdoor activities. The Gulf Stream provides a stable, pleasant climate all year long, with only small variations between day and night. Please research the Azorean climate a bit more to see if it fits your expectations. Generally it is very favourable for human well‑being, for growing a wide range of fruits and vegetables, and for outdoor activities – passion fruit, avocado, papaya, bananas and many others thrive here.
The project will start around spring / early summer 2026. It is wonderful if you already have experience related to any of our topics, but it is definitely not a requirement.
Some more practical information:
There is an interesting historic hiking trail passing by the forest that leads to a beautiful beach called “Praia do Fogo” (about 30 minutes walking or 15 minutes by e‑bike). A 10‑minute car ride brings you to the hot thermal springs of Furnas. The next supermarket is in Povoação, about a 15‑minute drive away, and the next surf beach is approximately 20 minutes by car.
How to get here:
Most people arrive by plane, often with a connection via Lisbon (for example with TAP Airlines). There are also some direct flights from New York.
If the notion of this endeavour resonates with you – both the place and the political and learning process around it – we invite you to get in touch.
All the best,
The “Agriao Forest” Crew Mehr erfahren

Warum?

Welcome to the “Agriao Forest” project, a place of peace. My name is Fite, architect, based in Berlin. It has been a long time of searching but now an approx. 30 hectares large piece of forest next to the ocean is saved from commerce and exploitation. What you hear and see is... Welcome to the “Agriao Forest” project, a place of peace.
My name is Fite, architect, based in Berlin.
It has been a long time of searching but now an approx. 30 hectares large piece of forest next to the ocean is saved from commerce and exploitation.
What you hear and see is the rustling of the trees in the wind, the waves, the birds. Not much more.
It is by itself, a truly peaceful spot, that provides a high level of privacy, nature and distance from noisy roads, barking dogs and neighbors. The view over the ocean is just breathtaking.
We have in mind to step by step develop a mindful and sustainable community, and at the same time build spaces for artists, academics, activists and others so that they have a basis to not only engage with communal questions but also focus on their own projects and ideas.
We understand this forest as an opportunity to joyfully leave creative-socio-ecological footprints in this world, and through this individual-collective intervention, maybe make some sort of a difference.
This Project is just about to start. Currently we are building some basic accommodations such as professional bell tents and yurts 🛖, a communal kitchen, a shower area and other basic and essential infrastructure such as water supply and Solar Energy systems.
You can imagine there is a lot to do but we keep it relaxed and don’t want to miss the joy within the creation process. The route is the goal and we are under no pressure to achieve big results overnight. Maybe less is also more at some point.
Areas of engagement for instance are: Syntropic agroforestry, Permaculture, reforestation, planting fruit trees, beekeeping, animal care: chickens, horses, goats, pigs 🐽 *(not for consumption), Community building processes, to design and create physical spaces for short term visitors & future long term residents.
I personally work around the topic of sustainable architecture and free spaces’ in a wider frame.
insta: Insola.berlin
…Or maybe other topics and areas of engagement that make sense to you. Create your own space to facilitate your project. You are welcome to Experiment around… Our minds and ears are open, always curious about your ideas, thoughts, views to share, support & collaborate with. As there is a lot of physical space, so there is for diverse ideas and different ways of intervention & engagement.
What too has the status of being absolutely welcome is:
If you want to join the project with the focus on other topics than suggested such as body-mind work, read your books, paint, dance, write, work on your dissertation, meditate…, having a quiet time for yourself…, what so ever:
A big welcome too!
If you like you can freely choose your favorite area of engagement and also how much time you want to spend on a certain topic or area. This might be an unconventional approach and differ from other projects…but we prefer that you do what motivates you over mandatory working hours connected to a certain task that we exclusively define for you. Sure, it can be a combo of both ..:)
Climate:
The Azores have a sub-tropical climate. This was a major reason why we are here now :) This means not too hot in the summer (max 27), and not too cold in the winter (minimum 15). Best months are from April to November … January & February can be stormy & rainy and limit outdoor activities…
The gulf stream provides a fantastic mild climate all year long. Temperatures mostly vary only by a few degrees and are very stable no matter if it’s day or night.
Please do some further research on the azorian climate to make sure it fits your expectations.
…But generally, it’s a really favorable climate for human well-being, growing fruits and vegetables of any kind and outdoor activities…
…passionfruit, avocado, papaya, bananas and many others do pretty well.
The Project will start around spring -/ beginning of the summer 2026.
It is amazing if you already have some sort of experience connected to our topics, but if not it’s definitely not mandatory.
Some keywords related to our political orientation:
Of course we are ‚left‘, anti racist, gender equality 🏳️‍🌈, no hierarchies, no classism, fight patriarchy, Free Palestine … fight climate change & Micro plastics…no wars, NVC (non-violent communication)..equality, liberation movements, pro human rights, activism.
socio-ecologic,- & cultural contents and values over materialism and exploitation of any kind.
Some more info:
There is an amazing historic hike trail passing by „the forest“ that leads to a pretty beach called ‘Praia do fogo’. (30 min hike or 15 min by E-bike).
After a 10 min car drive you will find the hot terminal spring of Furnash.
Next supermarket is in Povoação, 15 min drive away.
The next surf beach is prox. 20 car drive away
How to get here
Usually by plane and most commonly is a connection with TAP airlines from Lissabon. There are also direct flights from the US -NY
Should the notion of this endeavor resonate with you, I invite you to establish contact.
All the best,
The “Agriao Forest” crew Mehr erfahren