Aquino

I was born in Germany but raised in Belgium, in the picturesque village of Hakendover. Art was ever-present at home: my father restored paintings and sculptures, and my mother enjoyed creative crafts. The mentality of "what you make yourself, you do better" was deeply ingrained in our upbringing.

After high school, my best friend Taede and I embarked on a three-month trek across the Pyrenees and along the Camino del Norte in Spain. This journey sparked my fascination with stories and landscapes. Back in Belgium, I worked as a woodworker, gaining experience in metalwork and construction. My love for landscapes eventually led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Landscape and Garden Design. Alongside the coursework, I was fortunate to be surrounded by people who worked closely with nature, which introduced me to agroforestry and permaculture.

In 2023, Taede and I traveled through Central America for six months. I attended the natural building course in Rancho Mastal, which sparked my passion for creating and building once again. We also participated in construction projects in Guatemala, including a children’s playhouse and an art studio. After returning to Belgium, I worked with natural building materials, including lime, clay and completed some small renovation projects with tadelakt, while also developing a passion for cooking as a chef.

Throughout these experiences, I've always felt a strong calling to create, design, and understand how systems function and influence one another. The layered dimensions and interconnectedness of systems continue to inspire me just as the social aspect of it. How stories change, influence and create culture and spirit of place and space.

My first visit to the ranch in 2023 made such a profound impression on me that I knew deep in my heart I would return one day. When I found out I was able to return for the 2025 apprenticeship, I felt the excitement and gratitude rush through my body. I am fully committed to this opportunity and determined to absorb as much knowledge as possible so that I can contribute to a more sustainable world and inspire others by passion and joy.