Debarro Arquitectura

Debarro Arquitectura is an interdisciplinary group founded by architects Marco Aresta and Fábio Mendes, dedicated to studying and practicing architecture in service of humanity through natural construction techniques and biological architectural design. Based in Portugal and Argentina, the team develops residential, tourist and utility building projects using healthy, natural materials such as clay, straw, cane and wood, combining bio-climatic principles, passive solar design, sensitive geometry, and eco-technologies. Beyond architectural design, Debarro runs its own training school, the Escola Debarro Arquitetura, based in Tomar, Portugal. The school offers hands-on courses in natural building techniques, including adobe brickmaking, earth and straw walls, tabique construction, clay-based plasters and finishes, and artistic earth paintings. Courses are structured in two-week modules open to the general public regardless of prior experience, with practical mornings and free afternoons for participants to explore the region, relax at nearby river beaches, or work remotely thanks to on-site wifi, camping space, bathrooms, showers and a communal kitchen. The studio also promotes adobe construction as a legal, versatile and ancestral building system present in Portugal for centuries, valued for its ecological footprint, health benefits, energy and acoustic efficiency, and fire resistance. Debarro emphasizes that proper technique and technical guidance are essential to ensure durable results. The multidisciplinary team offers architectural project development, natural building training, consultancy, team coordination, and technical support across both countries, positioning bio-architecture as a path toward healthier, more sustainable living environments.