Atelier d' Guide - News

Opening Atelier de Guide: a space that came to life through people

Sun, 17 May 2026 05:17:00 +0000

Some moments are difficult to explain because they are felt far beyond what words can fully capture. The opening of Atelier de Guide was one of those moments. After many months of work, ideas, doubts, changes, physical effort, difficult decisions, and shared dreams, the day finally arrived to open the doors of this space. And what happened exceeded everything we had imagined.

The atelier filled with people, conversations, reunions, curiosity, music, sharing, and such a beautiful energy that we are still trying to absorb everything we felt. Throughout the afternoon, we had the opportunity to experience many meaningful moments together. Marta from Sensihemp led an inspiring workshop that opened space for important conversations around hemp and its possibilities. Andris shared a demonstration of hempcrete building materials, presenting more sustainable and accessible ways of thinking about construction. Martins brought flavours and experiences through tastings of homemade tofu, pudding, and soy drink, creating yet another moment of discovery and connection.

One of the most memorable moments was also the discussion panel with very special guests. More than a formal debate, it became a genuine conversation about territory, sustainability, community, rural challenges, creating projects, and imagining possible futures. It was exactly the kind of human and inspiring exchange we had always hoped this space could host. Later, the traditional folk group brought emotion, culture, and a deep connection to the roots of the region. Seeing different generations gathered together in the same space, surrounded by music, dance, and conversation, felt truly special. But perhaps what stayed with us the most happened in the smaller moments: people staying much longer than they had planned, strangers starting conversations with one another, the hugs, the laughter, children running around the space, and the genuine curiosity of those entering for the first time and feeling that the place already had soul.

Starting something new in a small village inevitably comes with uncertainty. There are always questions about whether it makes sense, whether people will show up, whether there is room for different kinds of initiatives outside major urban centres. This weekend reminded us of something very important: people are still searching for real spaces of encounter, authenticity, and community. Atelier d' Guide was born from exactly that desire. Not simply as a physical atelier, but as an open space for creativity, learning, experimentation, knowledge-sharing, and the creation of new human connections.

We feel deeply grateful to everyone who was present and helped make this day possible. To the guests, participants, friends, family, collaborators, speakers, and curious visitors who decided to come by: thank you. This was only the first chapter of something we hope to continue building slowly, intentionally, collaboratively, and together with the community around us. And if this first day taught us anything, it is that spaces truly come alive through the people who inhabit them.

Starting to grow flax: our first Impressions

Sun, 03 May 2026 05:47:00 +0000

As the atelier begins to take shape, we’ve also started bringing new plants into our daily work, not only as materials, but as something to grow, observe, and understand from the beginning. Flax is one of those plants.

We decided to start small. No big plans, no large fields, just a simple patch of soil, a handful of seeds, and the curiosity to see how it behaves in this context, here in Guide.

The first thing that stands out is how little it asks to begin. The seeds are small, almost easy to underestimate. We prepared the soil lightly, cleared some weeds, loosened the surface, and scattered the seeds by hand. No precision tools, no complicated setup. Just placing them close enough together and covering them gently. And then, very quickly, something starts to happen.

Within a few days, thin green lines begin to appear. At first, they look fragile, almost like grass. It feels surprising how fine they are, especially knowing that this same plant can eventually become fiber strong enough to be woven into linen.

At this early stage, what becomes clear is how important consistency is. Not too much water, not too little. The soil needs to stay slightly moist, especially in the beginning. It’s not a demanding routine, but it requires attention. Missing a few days makes a difference.

Another thing that becomes obvious quite fast is how little flax likes competition. Any weeds that come through at the same time can easily take over if not removed early. It doesn’t fight for space, it depends on you to create that space for it.

We also noticed how the density of sowing changes everything. Because we planted quite closely, the plants begin to grow upwards rather than outwards. They don’t branch much. They stretch. Even at this stage, you can already see how that will matter later.

There’s something very particular about watching flax grow. It’s not dramatic. It doesn’t demand attention in obvious ways. It develops quietly, steadily, almost without interruption.

And then, at a certain point, the pace becomes more visible. The plants gain height quickly. What started as small green threads begins to form a soft, moving surface when the wind passes through.

We haven’t reached flowering yet, but even before that, there’s already a shift in how we look at the plant. It stops being “something we planted” and becomes something we’re following.

Working with flax, even at this early stage, brings a different kind of awareness. It’s not about controlling the outcome, but about observing what it needs and responding to it.

This is still the beginning for us. A first attempt, a first observation, a way of getting closer to the material before working with it in any other form. And that’s exactly what we’re interested in. Not rushing into results, but understanding the process from the ground up.

We’ll keep sharing how this develops, what works, what doesn’t, and what we learn along the way.

From Obelisk Farm to Atelier d’Guide: a new space on Patreon

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 05:22:00 +0000

There are moments when something does not slowly transform into something else, but instead comes to a clear end. Obelisk Farm, as many of you knew it, has come to a close. This is not something we say lightly. Since 2014, it has been a central part of our lives, shaping the way we work, think, and relate to the world around us. It was where we learned through doing, where we built things from the ground up, and where we connected deeply with plants, materials, and people. It carried challenges, uncertainties, and constant learning, but also a sense of purpose that guided us for many years.

That chapter is now complete. Not as something lost, and not as something we are leaving behind, but as something that reached its time. Everything it gave us remains. The knowledge, the experience, the questions that still follow us, and the many connections built along the way all continue with us into what comes next.

And what comes next is Atelier d’Guide.

This is not a sudden change, and not a reinvention for the sake of change. It has been forming quietly over time, shaped by a need for a different rhythm and a different way of working. A way that allows more space for things to develop, for ideas to take their time, and for making to happen without the pressure of constant output. Atelier d’Guide is a continuation, but also an opening. It expands beyond what Obelisk Farm was, while still carrying its foundation.

We are now based in Guide, a small village in Portugal, where this new phase is beginning to take shape. The pace here is different. Things move more slowly, but also more intentionally. This space we are building is not fixed or fully defined. It is something that grows through use, through experimentation, and through the everyday work that happens within it. It is a place for making, for thinking, for working with plants and materials, and for allowing things to unfold over time.

After months of building, adjusting, and rethinking, we are ready to open this space. On May 16th, Atelier d’Guide opens its doors. It is a simple moment, but one that carries a lot of meaning for us. It marks the shift from something that was being built quietly to something that can now be shared. There is still a lot unfinished, and that is part of what this space is. It is not about presenting something complete, but about allowing others to step into a process that is still ongoing.

At the same time, we are continuing to share our work through Patreon, which now becomes a dedicated space for paid content. This decision comes from the need to protect the time and attention required to build Atelier d’Guide in a sustainable way.

What is shared there is not a repetition of what exists publicly. It is the closer layer of the work: the parts that are still forming, the experiments that may or may not work, the materials we are testing, the ideas we are trying to understand, and the everyday moments that do not always reach public platforms.

There, we share behind-the-scenes of what we are building, ongoing work and processes, more in-depth looks into materials and making, reflections that come from being in this space, and access to the best conditions for our workshops, courses, and educational materials. It is where the work is shown as it is, not only when it is finished.

If you want to stay connected to what we are doing now (not later, not in fragments, but as it unfolds) that is where it will be shared. It is a space for those who want to go a bit deeper, who are interested not only in results but in the process itself, in the knowledge that comes from doing, and in the way things take shape over time.

Supporting us there means more than following. It means helping this space exist and grow in a way that feels true to us. It allows us to continue building without rushing, to keep experimenting, and to share in a way that is honest and close to the reality of the work.

This is where we are now. Not starting from zero, but continuing from everything that came before, in a different form.

If you feel connected to this direction, and if you want to be part of what we are building, you can support us there, in any tier. That is where we will be sharing the process, the knowledge, and everything that is taking shape along the way.

Thank you for being part of the journey so far, and for everything that comes next.

Andris & Débora

What’s happening on opening day

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 15:07:00 +0000

What begins as an opening is also an invitation: to spend a day moving between making, tasting, listening, and sharing. A day shaped by different hands, practices, and ways of engaging with the same territory. The program unfolds slowly, allowing time not only for each moment, but also for the space in between.

14h00 – 14h30 | Opening Session & Presentation of the Atelier

We begin by opening the doors and introducing the atelier itself. This moment sets the tone for the day, a space still taking shape, now ready to be experienced together. It is a simple introduction, but also a first invitation to enter, look around, and settle into what this place might become.

14h30 – 15h00 | Workshop: Botanical Printing on Paper and Fabric (Marta Vinhas from Sensihemp)

The first hands-on moment of the day brings us into the world of botanical printing. Through natural materials and direct contact with paper and fabric, this workshop explores how plants can leave traces, patterns, and impressions. A slow and tactile process, where each print carries something unique.

15h00 – 15h30 | Demonstration: Hemp Construction Materials (Andris Visnevkis)

This session turns towards materials and construction. With years of experience working with hemp-based building techniques, Andris will present and demonstrate how this plant can be transformed into sustainable construction materials. A moment to look at hemp not only as a crop, but as a structural and ecological resource.

15h30 – 16h00 | Live Cooking: Tofu and Soy Beverage (Mārtiņš Mičulis)

From material to food, the program continues with a live cooking session dedicated to soy. Martins — often referred to as the “OG of tofu” — will share his process, from bean to plate. A simple but meaningful demonstration of how food can be both craft and culture, shaped by patience and knowledge.

16h00 – 16h40 | Discussion: “The Village as a Space for Creation”

At the centre of the afternoon is a conversation that opens up broader reflections on place, practice, and possibility. Is a village only a place of memory, or can it also be a place of creation?

This discussion brings together different perspectives from arts, territory, and practice, with moderation by Dr. Maria Cristina Teixeira. The aim is not to arrive at fixed answers, but to share lived experiences, what it means to create in rural contexts, what challenges emerge, and what becomes possible when scale shifts.

16h40 – 17h00 | Tasting Session: Healthy Local Products

A moment to slow down and gather around food once again. This tasting brings together a selection of healthy products, offering a chance to experience different flavours and practices in a shared setting.

17h00 | Performance: Rancho Folclórico de São Tiago

The day closes with a performance by Rancho Folclórico de São Tiago, presented in collaboration with Associação Amigos de Guide. A moment where tradition, community, and celebration meet, bringing movement, rhythm, and presence into the final part of the day.

Throughout the Day | Exhibition: Tons de Guide by Débora Paulino

Alongside the program, the exhibition "Tons de Guide" remains open throughout the afternoon. Through a series of photographs taken in Guide, the work invites visitors to look more closely at the village: its colours, textures, light, and subtle details. Not as a fixed portrait, but as a shifting presence, revealed through attention.

This opening day is not designed as a presentation of conclusions, but as a gathering of processes. Each moment carries its own rhythm, yet together they reflect a shared interest in making, observing, and being present with what is already here, and what is still emerging.

A new chapter begins: Atelier d’Guide opens its doors

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 07:14:00 +0000

On 16 May 2026, we will open the doors of Atelier d’Guide for the first time.

After a long period of change, reflection, and work behind the scenes, we are finally ready to share a little of what has been taking shape here in Guide.

Atelier d’Guide is a new space where we are bringing together different parts of our work around plants, natural materials, practical processes, and learning. It is still growing, but it already reflects much of what matters to us: working closely with materials, developing ideas through practice, and creating room for workshops, courses, research, and small-scale production.

Before returning to Portugal, we spent several years in Latvia, where we were co-founders of Obelisk Farm, a hemp farm that brought together cultivation, education, and hands-on experiences. That chapter shaped much of the way we think and work, and many of the ideas that grew there continue with us now.

Back in Portugal, in a family house that belonged to Débora’s father, those ideas found a new place to continue. Established in 2026, Atelier d’Guide grows from that path and from the desire to create a space where different forms of work, learning, and experimentation can coexist.

To mark this beginning, we will be holding our Open Day on 16 May at 2pm.

This first gathering will be informal and welcoming, a chance to discover the space, meet us, and get a first sense of what Atelier d’Guide is becoming. It will also be an opportunity to share some of the directions we are beginning to develop and to open this new chapter in the company of others.

This is only the beginning, and soon we will announce the full programme for the Open Day.

We hope you will join us on 16 May.