Design a Sustainable Tomorrow
by creating links and value between natural and cultural Landscape, Architectural Heritage, traditional activities and social habits while introducing a sustainable contemporary way of life
by creating links and value between natural and cultural Landscape, Architectural Heritage, traditional activities
and social habits while introducing a sustainable contemporary way of life
"Foundation DaST is grounded in a sustainable development model shaped and built upon nearly fifty years of practical experience. Responding to the urgency of biodiversity loss and the decline of vernacular architecture, the Foundation carries forward the DaST vision as a committed and fully active force for regenerative change."
history
The Foundation DaST, Design a Sustainable Tomorrow, is grounded in a sustainable development model shaped by nearly 50 years of international, hands-on experience, focused on territorial valorisation, sustainability and a post-growth economic approach.
Throughout its trajectory, this model has been applied through research, restoration, revitalisation and cultural programming initiatives across diverse contexts and geographies, always in close collaboration with local communities and with the contribution of specialists from multiple disciplines.
The most recent initiatives are being developed in the village of Torrão, in the municipality of Alcácer do Sal, where projects such as Torrão LAB and Convento da Terra operate as living laboratories for co-creation, learning and territorial regeneration.
With the aim of ensuring the continuity and expansion of this work, the Foundation DaST was formally established in 2024, in Torrão, to institutionalise and scale these initiatives. The Foundation promotes strategic partnerships, applied research and new projects focused on the sustainable development of territories and communities at risk.
The Foundation advances a vision in which natural and cultural heritage coexist in harmony with local communities, fostering resilience, wellbeing and the strengthening of place-based identities through education, co-creation and the sharing of knowledge.
Statutory Purposes
The Foundation DaST pursues the preservation of historical, artistic and cultural heritage, the promotion of culture, social and community integration, scientific research and technological development, the arts, European and international dialogue, entrepreneurship, innovation and economic, social and cultural development, as well as the protection of the environment and natural heritage.
vision
With a holistic and collaborative vision, the Foundation DaST seeks to position itself as an agent of change, promoting the integration of culture, sustainability and innovation for the benefit of present and future generations.
mission
The mission of the Foundation DaST is to create a sustainable future through projects that integrate urban and territorial regeneration, social innovation and post-growth economic models. The Foundation aims to foster cooperation between specialists, institutions and communities, promoting a development approach that values both natural resources and cultural heritage.
To achieve these objectives, the Foundation DaST focuses its activity on the development of a wide range of initiatives, including educational programmes, awareness-raising actions and applied research projects. These activities are designed to strengthen the resilience of the communities in which the Foundation operates, while advancing innovative approaches to sustainable development.
Beyond delivering direct benefits to the communities it serves, the Foundation seeks to create replicable case studies and sources of inspiration applicable across diverse global contexts, contributing to a lasting legacy of sustainable growth, resilience and social and environmental balance.
empowering resilience
"Through conservation and restoration, research and community engagement, the Torrão LAB project aims to strengthen the natural, cultural, social and economic resilience of depopulated villages. It serves as both a case study and a real life classroom for exploring an alternative accounting system and a regenerative economic model."
Torrão Lab
Located in the interior of the municipality of Alcácer do Sal, in the Alentejo region, the parish of Torrão reflects the reality of many rural towns situated away from major urban centres, where cultural, natural and social heritage faces significant challenges related to depopulation and decline.
Torrão LAB is the living laboratory for sustainability promoted by the DaST Foundation. It brings together the local community, universities and national and international specialists in the co-creation and testing of innovative solutions for a green, circular and post-growth economy. The project focuses on the valorisation of cultural and natural heritage, adaptation to climate change, and the strengthening of community identity and resilience, with the aim of inspiring models that can be replicated in other rural regions.
Developed from recent initiatives in research, territorial planning and cultural programming, Torrão LAB integrates academic knowledge with local experience, transforming the territory into a real-world context for learning, collaboration and regeneration.
