About us
Frank and Janneke are the founders of Starbase18, a living lab in the Serra da Estrela mountains. Together they combine sustainability, technology, and hands-on creativity. Janneke brings her passion for green living, healthy food, and regenerative gardening, while Frank focuses on renewable energy, education, and maker projects. With their complementary skills, they create a unique place where eco-tourism meets innovation. Their vision is simple: show that rural life can be modern, resilient, and deeply rewarding, while reconnecting people with nature.
About us
Starbase18 is a place to enjoy your holiday, but also a living experiment in how rural life, modern comfort, and ecological responsibility can work hand in hand. Nestled in the Serra da Estrela mountains, our project blends eco-tourism, regenerative agriculture, renewable energy, and maker education into a unique and inspiring place. We invite visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature but also to reconnect with nature, community, and sustainable ways of living.
The project started from almost nothing: empty rooms, broken systems, and exhausted soil. Step by step we rebuilt, creating apartments ready for every season, renewable heating and energy solutions, high-speed internet, and welcoming shared spaces. At the same time, we restore the land through permaculture practices, plant a food forest, and integrate water and energy systems that will make the project largely self-sufficient. The result is a place where modern comfort meets resilience and respect for nature.
Starbase18 is also a space for learning and exchange. We host workshops on self-reliance, philosophy, and practical skills ranging from growing food to building and repairing systems. Our co-working spaces, lounge room, and outdoor facilities create opportunities for both focus and relaxation. Families, travelers, and groups can find a base here that combines hospitality with inspiration.
Behind the project are Frank and Janneke. Together they bring a mix of technical knowledge, sustainability expertise, and a hands-on approach. Janneke focuses on green living, health, and food systems, while Frank develops technical infrastructure, educational projects, and prototypes. Their shared vision is to prove that rural life can be modern, rewarding, and resilient and that places like Starbase18 can point the way toward a more balanced future.
