In 2019, what began as an escape became our homecoming. Sempre is our return to Earth.
We are cultivating a conscious way of living — a journey rooted in soulful connection, slower rhythms, and a deep reverence for both long-lived quality and the Earth.
Our approach to earthen architecture is guided by hand, intention, and respect for the land. We build using sustainable, natural practices that honour light footprints, self-sufficiency, and interiors designed to feel both beautiful and deeply connected to their surroundings.
Beyond our built spaces, the land itself is a living project. We are gently rewilding selected areas, nurturing a growing food forest and organic vineyard, working in partnership with nature, rather than against it.
The most sustainable way to build is naturally, with the earth beneath your feet.
Used tyres as foundations
To Date, We’ve saved over 350 used tyres from our overburdened landfills. Each tyre is rammed with earth, weighing over 100kg’s resulting in a robust foundation.
Adobe Earth Bricks and Natural Plasters
Adobe earth bricks, Cob mortars and Lime plasters are handmade on site using locally sourced materials resulting in a very low embodied energy.
why we choose to build with earth
The building sector today is responsible for over a third of global greenhouse gas emissions with a quarter of this percentage driven by embodied carbon emissions associated with the extraction, manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance and disposal of building materials
Natural building has a Minimal to ZERO carbon footprint. The bulk of your essential building elements are hand made on site using locally sourced materials resulting in a very low embodied energy. No cement / highly manufactured materials are used in natural building. Building Lime (a processed material) is a carbon sequestrator – Lime absorbs carbon from the atmosphere during its curing process, any carbon created during in its production is neutralised. While there are many environmental benefits to building naturally, the greatest benefits exist after construction.
Natural homes are supremely healthy and energy efficient. When built to the highest quality, they are incredibly durable. A natural home like ours can serve a family for many generations.
Natural Homes are Healthy Homes. There are no VOC’s in a natural build, the earth walls are non-toxic and permeable. This means that the walls breathe with humidity and temperature changes, purifying the air for its occupants. Research has shown that using natural construction and finishing materials can improve indoor air quality exponentially.
Natural homes by design are energy efficient and self regulate their internal temperature. This is achieved due to thick earth walls which provide thermal mass gains. Including passive solar design principles in your home design maximises these properties. A well-orientated house is essentially optimised to harness all of the sun’s bright, warm glory where and when it’s most valued – when it’s not too hot nor too bright, but just right – and shut it out when it’s not.
Natural Homes and wildfires – Like many rural areas in the world, the Overberg is prone to wild fires. Earth does not burn – a home made of earth has a high tolerance to fire. The used tyres in our builds are thickly plastered with a cob mix making them fire retardant.
read more about earthen architecture here
a note on self-sufficiency
For us self-sufficiency isn’t about trying to do it all, instead we see this as an opportunity to cooperate with families and neighbours in our local community with the collective intention to meet our basic needs.
Our 4.4 hectare small holding began as a blank canvas with zero services. We used this opportunity to design and install our infrastructure to operate independently. Our Cottage and Studio are 100% self-sufficient – powered by Solar and our consumable water is filtered rainwater, grey and black water are both managed on site.
We are growing a diversely planted food forest as well as a organic vineyard. Since 2019 we have undertaken rewilding and indigenous tree planting exercises with positive results.
Rob de Barros | Co-Founder of Sempre, Builder and Sustainable Building Technical Specialist with over a decade of hands-on experience in conventional and sustainable construction.
He is dedicated to creating structures that exist in harmony with their environment — where organic architecture and natural materials come together to form spaces that feel both timeless and alive. For Rob, building is not simply a technical process, but a considered practice of shaping environments that are deeply connected to the land.
Rob partners with the Natural Building Collective, contributing to the technical design and construction of sustainable, low-impact schools in Cape Town. This work reflects his commitment to using natural building as a tool for social impact — creating climate-resilient, healthy and inspiring learning environments while advancing more regenerative ways of building for future generations.
Follow Rob on Instagram
Bianca Lucille Antunes | Founder of dharma, the Find Your Purpose program, Writer, Creative Director and Co-Founder of Sempre.
For many years, Bianca searched for purpose in achievement, productivity and success, only to discover that fulfilment cannot be found outside ourselves.
What began as a personal quest to understand her own life evolved into a profound journey of awakening, remembrance and transformation. Leaving behind a successful corporate career, she returned to nature, together with Rob built their self-sufficient home by hand, and began exploring the deeper patterns that shape a human life.
Today, through her book, the Dharma platform and the Find your Purpose program, her work is devoted to helping people remember who they are, awaken to their purpose, and create lives in alignment with their true nature.
Bianca’s Design philosophy is rooted in Organic and Natural design principles — a slow, holistic approach that considers landscape, architecture, interiors, and lifestyle as one interconnected system.
Follow Bianca Lucille on Instagram
In order to create a different future, our work must begin today.
s t a y
Our rural retreat promises a home hospitality and a restorative experience for those seeking peace and a deep connection with Nature, nourishing the body with good food and care in the perfection of simplicity.
Experience our response to barefoot luxury, the earthen studio. Organic design handcrafted with natural building practices.
The studio is equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay:
- Queen-size bed with premium linen
- Selection of teas and warm beverages
- Nespresso machine (Premium 4WKS Coffee pods)
- Fresh fruit and snacks
- Field Bar cooler with local sparkling water
- Natural body care products
- Luxurious robes & towels
- Reading, drawing & painting materials
- Outdoor shower, sundeck & hammock
- Bluetooth speaker & WiFi
Our rate per night is R3850 per night which includes brunch.
shoot location | content creation
Our idyllic views, scenic grounds, the Vineyard Cottage and Earthen Studio are available for photoshoot hire.
crew accommodation on site is limited to 2 people sharing. Nearby accommodation options are available. Catering can be arranged. Enquire with your dates via email.
