Learn together
Explore the curriculum through facilitated sessions, discussion, demonstrations, reflection, and shared enquiry.
In-Person Permaculture Design Certificate
Learn together.
Design in place.
A 14-day intensive PDC where classroom learning, practical activities, landscape observation, and collaborative design come together at Vila Pinheiro.
14immersive days
72guided hours
11integrated modules
Vila Pinheiro · Bairradas, Central Portugal
Availability
Register interest for the next 14-day course.
The next dates, capacity, residential options, meal arrangements, arrival information, and early-booking deadline will be published together. No travel should be booked and no payment is requested until your place and the complete course information have been confirmed in writing.
Ask about future datesAn immersive learning environment
The landscape becomes part of every conversation.
Vila Pinheiro is a home, regenerative smallholding, demonstration site, and living laboratory. The course uses real Mediterranean conditions to connect theory with observation, practical judgement, and design.
Read the land
Observe slope, aspect, soil, water, vegetation, buildings, movement, microclimates, and patterns through time.
Practise
Take part in mapping, soil, compost, water, planting, pattern, and design exercises grounded in the site.
Design collaboratively
Work with others to analyse a real context, develop a coherent proposal, explain decisions, and present the design.
The 14-day rhythm
Intensive does not mean rushed.
Ethics, principles, and observation
Establish a common language for ecological design and practise seeing before proposing solutions.
Soil, water, vegetation, and climate
Connect ecological processes to Mediterranean realities, site evidence, and practical management.
Buildings, animals, community, and livelihoods
Include people, work, access, governance, and appropriate technology within the design.
Design studio and presentation
Bring the learning together through analysis, concept development, rationale, collaboration, and presentation.
Practical and reflective learning
Participate, observe, make, discuss, and revise.
The course balances taught material with practical experience and design studio work. Activities are selected for their learning value and relationship to site conditions rather than as a checklist of permaculture techniques.
- Guided landscape observation and site analysis
- Mapping, patterns, zones, sectors, and flows
- Soil, compost, mulch, water, and planting exercises
- Group reflection and design-table discussion
- Collaborative final design presentation
Course fees
Transparent tuition for an immersive PDC.
These founding course tuition levels cover teaching, learning activities, assessment, and certification. Residential costs are shown separately so you can understand exactly what the course fee includes.
Early booking
€1,050
Available until the published early-booking date, subject to places remaining.
Standard
€1,250
The normal tuition fee for the complete fourteen-day programme.
Supporter
€1,450
Helps support solidarity places and wider access to regenerative learning.
Tuition includes
- The complete 72-hour, eleven-module PDC
- Fourteen-day facilitated programme at Vila Pinheiro
- Pre-course online orientation and learning-platform access
- Guided observation, practical activities, and design studio
- Shared practical and course materials
- Collaborative final design presentation and assessment
- Post-course implementation circle and digital certificate
Final dates, residential options, payment schedule, cancellation terms, and availability will be confirmed before any payment is requested.
The complete curriculum
From ecological foundations to integrated design.
The 72 guided hours cover the same eleven-module curriculum as the Online PDC, delivered through the immediacy of a shared place, group, and intensive learning period.
Foundations, observation, and design
Soils, water, trees, climate, and bioregions
Built, animal, social, and urban systems
Collaborative design and presentation
Practical information
Plan the residential experience with confidence.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included in tuition. Any on-site or nearby options arranged for a particular course will be described and priced before booking; students may also arrange their own accommodation.
Travel and arrival
Travel and transfers are not included. Confirmed students receive the site address, recommended arrival window, local transport guidance, and emergency contact arrangements before travelling.
Meals and refreshments
Meals are not included unless a specific course offer says otherwise. Available catering, shared-meal, kitchen, dietary, and local shopping arrangements will be stated before booking.
Clothing and equipment
Bring sturdy closed footwear, sun protection, a refillable water bottle, layers, wet-weather clothing, notebook, and drawing materials. A laptop or tablet is optional unless joining instructions state otherwise.
Accessibility
Vila Pinheiro includes outdoor and uneven terrain. Tell us about mobility, sensory, health, learning, dietary, or communication requirements before booking so reasonable options and genuine site limitations can be discussed.
Participation and safety
Practical activities are guided and adapted to conditions. Students are expected to follow safety instructions and may step back from an activity where health, weather, or personal circumstances make participation unsuitable.
Detailed joining instructions are issued only to confirmed students. Personal travel or medical insurance remains the student's responsibility.
Certificate requirements
Active participation and demonstrated design competence.
The certificate is not awarded for attendance alone. Students need to engage with the complete learning process and contribute evidence that they can observe, reason, collaborate, and communicate a regenerative design.
Attendance
Attend the complete programme except where an agreed exceptional arrangement applies.
Learning activities
Participate in required observation, practical, mapping, reflective, and studio activities.
Collaboration
Contribute constructively to group analysis, design development, and shared decision-making.
Design presentation
Help produce and present a coherent design supported by site evidence and a clear rationale.
Completion decision
Demonstrate the required foundation in ethics, observation, systems thinking, and regenerative design.
In-Person PDC questions
Before you travel.
Where is the course held?
The course is based at Vila Pinheiro in Bairradas, Central Portugal. Detailed travel and arrival information is provided during enrolment.
Do I need previous permaculture experience?
No. The course begins with foundations and builds progressively. Curiosity, participation, and willingness to observe and learn are more important than prior study.
How is the course assessed?
Assessment is continuous and developmental through participation, observation and mapping, practical and reflective activities, collaborative design work, and a final group presentation.
Are accommodation and meals included?
No. Tuition covers teaching, course activities, assessment, materials, and certification. Accommodation and meal options will be priced separately for each course date.
What is required for the certificate?
Students attend the full programme, participate in required activities, contribute to collaborative design work, and demonstrate foundational competence in observation, systems thinking, and regenerative design.
Should I book travel before receiving confirmation?
No. Wait until your place, the course dates, arrival arrangements, and any residential option have been confirmed in writing. The academy cannot accept responsibility for travel booked before confirmation.
Before you book
Review the booking and privacy information.
Final course-specific payment, cancellation, residential, and participation terms will be issued before payment. General privacy, cookie, and booking principles are available now.
Privacy, cookies, and booking informationCome and learn in place
Join us at Vila Pinheiro.
Tell us when you hope to attend and a little about your experience. We will respond with dates, tuition options, residential costs, availability, and practical information.