Born in 1981 in Amsterdam, I grew up in the suburban town Almere. Built in the barren, empty polder, everything was new. New houses, new streets, new nature. I always felt drawn to the old country.

In 1998, I started to study Architecture at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. In the following years I moved to Amsterdam.

After my graduation I briefly worked and lived in Kathmandu, Nepal to support the establishment of the first green school of Nepal; the Vajra Academy.

In 2006 I started my professional career at the Amsterdam based office ADP Architecten. Initially I had the idea to continue studying to become an architect, but I enjoyed the work so much that I did not long for school again.

I became father of a beautifull daughter  in 2015 and started working at Space&Matter shortly after. Living in an apartment on the 7th floor, the desire for more space arose. After welcoming my son into my life we moved to the self-build urban-agriculture neighbourhood Almere Oosterwold.

But still I longed for more. I’ve always dreamed of my own homestead. A simple house with some land far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. In the Netherlands this way of living is simply impossible. It always felt like something out of reach.

But I realized that the time is now! I’m still young, my children are not yet grounded. We sold our house, I quit my job and we settled on an old quinta in Central Portugal.

This is place is now what we call home. I continue my work as an Architectural Designer online and spend the rest of my time working on the land, chopping wood and keep everything running around the house. This truly  makes me happy!

© Daniël Südkamp

Largo do Chiado 50

3305-020 Barril do Alva

PORTUGAL

+351 968 232 049

danielsudkamp@gmail.com