Development Plan

The cottages have the typical ‘montes do Alentejo’ character, harmonising with the environment. They have been fitted with all modern conveniences.

Monte do Casarão is largely self-supporting:

• Two wells (one 60 metres, the other 180 metres deep, drilled into the rag stone) ensure water sufficiency.
• The power generation is an advanced system of 48 kV’s of batteries and a 50 kV diesel generator. The batteries supply our daily electricity; the diesel generator charges the batteries. If the batteries fail to provide sufficient electricity, the diesel generator starts up.
• Drain water is sufficiently purified at the estate and may be discharged into the surface water.
• Estate infrastructure includes: 2,3 kilometres of sand track and – under ground – over 2 kilometres of power cables, water pipes, sewerage, telephone- and data networks.

The estate has been planted with eucalyptus trees, sobreiros – cork oaks, some of which are over 150 years old – and azinheiros (holms). Sobreiros and azinheiros are protected by Portuguese law.

Construction

Netherlands

• management:
  Wynand Riemslag, Nel Riemslag-Schimmer and Lies Schimmer

Portugal

• architect:
  Ana Isabel Cortes (Odemira)
• project development:
  Erik Goedhart (Portugalimo, Melides)
• construction support:
  Bert Snijder and Saskia Bastings (Alentejo Home, Grandola)
• main contractor:
  Manuel Domingos (Vila Nova de Milfontes)
• power supply:
  José Manuel Revez (Revez-Solar, Beja)
• kitchen equipment:
  Nobre & Filhos (Vila Nova de Milfontes)