The quiet work behind Yuna
STARTING 2019
Our journey to Viana do Castelo
We are Angelique and Dirk, a couple from Haarlem, the Netherlands. A few years ago, during a trip through Portugal, we stumbled upon Viana do Castelo, and something clicked. The rough ocean, the mountains, the wind, the food, the people; it felt like the perfect mix of everything we love.
After spending a few months each year in Viana for nearly three years, we knew we wanted something more permanent. But most houses we found lacked the comfort we needed to truly feel at home.
THE SEARCH 2021
We found the land before we had a plan
We weren’t searching for a building project. We weren’t even looking for land. But then we found it, and suddenly we started imagining.
We looked at more than 40 plots after that, but the first one stayed the one. A wild hillside with two sheep, an orange tree, and a view that made us pause. We could already see the terrace, the windows, the slow mornings and long sunsets.
That’s when Yuna started, not with a plan, but with a feeling.
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That s when the idea of Yuna was born
DESIGN 2022
Shaping Yuna
For months, we met almost every week with the architects, sketching, questioning, changing, and fine-tuning every line and angle until it felt like it truly belonged to us. Some days the ideas flowed easily; other days we went back to the drawing board completely.
And as our own lives shifted. Work, dreams, and plans, so did the design. What started as an idea on paper slowly became something deeply personal, shaped as much by our conversations and compromises as by bricks and concrete. It became not just a house, but a reflection of who we were becoming.
BUILDING YUNA 2023
Many local hands helped shape Yuna
Extra-long beds, a high kitchen, a good outdoor shower, and plenty of quiet spots to watch the sun go down with a glass of wine after a long day of kitesurfing or hiking. We wanted to build something we didn’t need a break from. Something real. And because we believe good things take time and love, we didn’t rush a single detail. Many local hands helped shape this place. Even our neighbor helped plaster the walls. That meant everything to us. We never wanted to be the kind of expats who build walls between themselves and the people who live here. We wanted to be part of the rhythm of the village. Live like locals. Just with a bit more comfort. In October 2024, Yuna was finally finished.
Well, sort of….. Want to know more? Read our full story on our first Yuna Magazine
Dreaming of your own place in Portugal?
Yuna started the same way for us: a piece of land, a big idea, and lots of questions. If you’re thinking about buying land, finding a ruin, or building from scratch, send us a message. We’re happy to share what we’ve learned and help you take the first step.