EXTRAORDINARY, EVERYDAY
What makes everyday life extraordinary?
What transforms ordinary gestures into exceptional experiences?
“Extraordinary, Everyday” explores the deep connections among people, spaces, and objects through a variety of stories, places, and projects. It delves into how relationships, ideas, and traditions intertwine, revealing unexpected inspirations. A series of episodes that highlight the values and innovative principles of Arclinea, celebrating the profound cultural significance of food and design.
JOÃO RODRIGUES
João Rodrigues is a Portuguese entrepreneur whose vision is deeply rooted in time, memory and the land. He inherited Casa no Tempo — a family home passed down through five or six generations — and transformed it into a place where tradition, sustainability and emotion intertwine, building a foundation for its future. Every project-defining decision stems from a desire to safeguard this heritage, ready to be handed down intact. The project is part of the Silent Living universe; a collection of dwellings that embody principles of simplicity, stillness and rootedness.
On a journey that unfolds across an endless landscape — repeating miles of scattered trees, open fields and soft undulations — a constant, almost hypnotic harmony leads to the peaceful, white architectural form of Casa no Tempo as it emerges still and silent in the heart of Alentejo. A refuge born of memory and nature, this home is a testament to João Rodrigues’s desire to preserve and perpetuate a family’s legacy, and is the result of a long-standing collaboration with architect Manuel Aires Mateus.
“Casa no Tempo means ‘House in Time’. It belongs to the past, lives in the present and looks to the future. My goal is to protect this legacy and pass it on to those who succeed me — alive and untouched.”
SILENT LIVING
Silent Living is the quiet soul of hospitality, according to João Rodrigues. Not hotels, but authentic homes; immersed in time and nature. Each space — from Cabanas no Rio, to Santa Clara 1728 and Casa no Tempo — is designed for slowing down, listening and reconnecting. Hospitality is not service, but presence. An invitation to live slowly: to be moved by the quiet beauty of real things. A living ethic that nourishes and transforms those who encounter it.
What role does architectural memory play in Casa no Tempo?
Together with Manuel Aires Mateus, we returned to the essence of the space, stripping away everything superfluous. The memory of the house was our starting point. We wanted to bring it back to its most authentic form, removing the layers added over time to rediscover the original structure. We used local materials and traditional techniques, enhancing what was already there. Even the uneven walls were left as they were — honest traces of the past. Rather than forcing symmetry, we let the curves speak; just like in nature, just like in people. This makes the space warmer, more welcoming and more real.
How would you describe working with Aires Mateus?
We have a long-standing relationship built on trust and a shared vision. His architectural language reflects our values: respect for local materials, restraint, consistency. Casa no Tempo was a return to origins, where every choice — from the window heights to the one-metre-thick walls — conveys a sense of peace and belonging. The space is generous and organic. The clean lines, natural light and quiet strength of the materials create a deep sense of calm. His architecture fully embodies the Silent Living philosophy: grounded, genuine and deeply human.
ARCLINEA AND CONVIVIALITY
At the heart of the house, the kitchen becomes a hub for connection and culture: here, ingredients gathered from the land are transformed into shared moments — nurturing relationships and narrating an authentic way of life. This spirit is what inspired the collaboration with Arclinea, based on mutual values: conviviality, respect for food and a deep connection with place and time. The Thea model, with a central island in white lacquer and a countertop in Alentejo pink marble, opens toward the window light, framed by fully-equipped tall units.
The kitchen is the heart of Casa no Tempo. How did Arclinea help shape it as a space for gathering?
In Portugal, the kitchen is the centre of the home; where we cook, talk and come together. Arclinea helped to make it a strong, functional and welcoming space — designed to withstand time and daily life. It is a place for exchange and connection, where the quality of materials and attention to detail support simple gestures and meaningful moments.
Do you share common values with Arclinea?
Yes. We are united by a shared vision: a focus on design, craftsmanship and quality. Arclinea, like us, sees the kitchen as a place for connection. This philosophy also resonates at Santa Clara, where we chose two Arclinea kitchens. Our collaboration is built on respect, memory and an innate sense of hospitality.
What makes hospitality at Casa no Tempo special?
Our hospitality is built on three pillars: the roof, which shelters and welcomes; the bed, which offers rest; and the food, which nourishes both body and soul. Everything is designed to make guests feel part of the home — in a space that encourages calm and authentic interactions.
“During the renovation, it was essential to keep the kitchen as the centre of the house. In Portugal, that’s where everything happens. Arclinea shared and supported this vision.”
A HOLISTIC, SUSTAINABLE FARM
At Herdade no Tempo — the agricultural estate surrounding Casa no Tempo — regenerative farming and holistic management are essential practices. Animals, plants and people coexist in balance, improving soil health and fostering biodiversity. A commitment to agroforestry brings together diverse plant species, avoiding chemicals and following natural cycles; a respectful, intentional way of farming that restores the land and looks to the future.
“Nature works its magic every day. The animals, with their rhythms, teach us to slow down. There’s no need to force anything — just observe and be guided.”
How does holistic management contribute to the estate’s sustainability?
Holistic management considers the ecosystem as a whole. By rotating animals daily, the land regenerates, retaining more water and carbon and producing healthier grass. It is a circular agricultural model, with each element nourishing the next.
What is the future goal for your farm?
The goal is to produce healthy, nutritious food while respecting the land. We follow ancestral farming methods — free from chemicals — that restore the soil and protect biodiversity. It is a cultivation method that sits closer to nature, is attentive to its rhythms, and built to last. Our hope is that this approach becomes a concrete example of sustainability: a living legacy for those who follow.
“Hospitality is made up of small gestures: a glass of water, a comfortable bed, the smell of lunch cooking. These are the things that truly make people feel at home.”
