Nuno Mamede Santos is the founder of Terracrua Design, with about 20 years of experience in self-sufficiency, off-grid living, organic agriculture, permaculture, and landscape and territory planning. Throughout his career, Nuno has closely collaborated with farm and property owners in Portugal, Angola, and the United States, acting as a project leader or consultant on over 300 properties.

With a deep interest in regenerative territorial planning, bioregional organization, decentralized local economies, goal-oriented cooperativism, and innovative economic systems, Nuno is dedicated to developing creative approaches to territorial organization. During the fall, winter, and spring months, he engages in exploring the remaining landscape and biosphere, often on mushroom harvesting expeditions.

Nuno's design philosophy is rooted in the principles of regenerative agriculture and ecological restoration. He utilizes tools such as QGIS, bioregional mapping, keyline design, and permaculture design to create holistic solutions for regenerative projects. However, all projects begin with an A1 map, with contour lines/level curves and a box of colored pencils.

Currently, his work in Angola includes developing master plans for large properties, such as Fazenda Girassol (10,000 hectares) and Fazenda Cristalina (18,000 hectares), transitioning to regenerative agriculture. In the United States, he is overseeing a 500-hectare property for keyline grazing. In Portugal, he co-manages several family businesses, including the real estate agency Azenhas e Castelos, the nursery Plantamisto, and Terracrua Design.

Nuno embarked on his journey into regenerative agriculture and landscape planning after witnessing the destructive impacts of traditional agricultural practices and organic farming on the environment. This awakening led him to explore more sustainable ways of growing food and managing landscapes, deepening his knowledge in Geography, Hydrology, Biology, and Permaculture Design.

Nuno's approach emphasizes collaboration with natural systems to establish healthy, productive, and resilient ecosystems. He firmly believes in creating a regenerative future for future generations and continues to seek learning and growth opportunities in his field.

From Countryside to City

Nuno grew up in a modest family, immersed in activities such as spearfishing, horticulture, hunting, and construction. Community involvement was always a fundamental aspect of his life, where he observed the example of his father, a true jack-of-all-trades, and his mother, who taught him love and fascination for the landscape.

His education transitioned from a rural environment to urban life in Faro, Algarve. Later, driven by an insatiable desire to improve people's lives and the planet, he began exploring social centers and occupations in Portugal and Spain, culminating in his involvement in self-managed communities in the mountains.

From City to Countryside

Between 2003 and 2005, Nuno took on the roles of farmer and caretaker on farms such as "Quinta da Ana Velha" and "Quinta do Marim." He participated in events to promote farm products, interacting with industry pioneers. In 2006, he moved to Aljezur, where he helped establish an Organic Farm and built his first straw bale house, where his first daughter was born.

During this period, Nuno learned a wide range of practical skills, from animal husbandry, installation of renewable electrical systems, to distillation techniques and homemade food production. This experience enriched his life and prepared him for the challenges of ecological regeneration and landscape planning.

Permaculture

In 2010, Nuno attended a Permaculture Design Course (PDC), which marked a turning point in his life and career. Under the guidance of Lesley Martin, he discovered Permaculture Design as a unique methodology for designing farms, villages, and industrial areas. Nuno deepened his knowledge in Permaculture Design through apprenticeships with Lesley Martin, Rosemary Morrow, and Jillian Hovey.

He participated in the founding of the Portuguese Permaculture Association, collaborated with the European Permaculture Teachers' Partnership (EPT), and received training from renowned figures such as Darren Doherty and Joel Salatin. He organized events, courses, and workshops, always with the aim of creating positive change.

In the Mountains

In 2010, driven by concerns about water scarcity in southern Portugal, he moved to the Ceira Valley, where he founded the "Collective of New Settlers of the Ceira Valley" and the collective "Malta dos Bosques," dedicated to forest management and preservation through regenerative approaches and community self-management.

Terracrua Design

In 2012, he founded Terracrua Design, with the aim of transforming landscapes in a regenerative way and professionalizing the field of design and planning. The company today applies the principles of Permaculture Design in a wide variety of projects, from farms in Portugal to farms in Angola and properties in the USA.

In 2014, after the birth of his third daughter, he formalized Terracrua Design as a landscape planning studio in Loulé. He was involved in various activities, from environmental education to social projects, collaborating with Municipalities in the Algarve region.

From Alentejo to the World

In 2019, he settled in Alentejo, marking the beginning of a phase of expansion and growth for Terracrua Design. This change allowed for the expansion of the organization's reach, exploring diverse projects in different contexts and expanding the team with talented professionals.

Nuno remains committed to his mission of empowering professionals to use Permaculture principles to transform our environment and our relationship with nature, contributing to a regenerative and abundant future.