Some projects start with a business plan

Others begin with a lifestyle decision that slowly turns into something much larger.

This is the beginning of my Living Project in Carinthia, Austria.

A personal homestead project on approximately 1,400 m² of land with a 300 m² house, located in one of the most unique lifestyle regions in the Austrian Alps.

The location combines nature, accessibility and infrastructure in a rare balance.

The property sits within roughly 15 minutes of Villach city centre, while being surrounded by lakes, mountains and ski areas.

This is not a development project in the traditional sense.

It is a long term experiment in how land, life and independence can be redefined within a modern European context, and what happens when you start building it rather than only describing it.

This is an open, long term project, shared as it evolves, not after it is finished.

1. The location is not just scenic, it is strategic

The property is located in a rare combination of alpine and lakeside accessibility.

Within approximately 4 to 20 minutes there are five well known Austrian lakes.

In addition, the house sits directly next to a family ski area in Carinthia, making it a year round location rather than a seasonal one.

From the property there is a panoramic view of the Dobratsch and Mittagskugel mountain ranges.

The orientation is fully south facing, which plays an important role in both energy, light and long term land development.

And despite the natural surroundings, the property remains close to infrastructure, with Villach city center only about 15 minutes away.

This combination of nature and accessibility is one of the key reasons for choosing this location.

2. The house as a multi use living structure

The 300 m² house will not be used as a single function property.

The plan is to divide the space into multiple layers of use.

The property is designed as a combined living and working environment, where SPINCHOICE will also operate from, turning the homestead into a base for both life and international real estate activity.

A part of the property will be designed for rental purposes, allowing for a hybrid model between private living and hospitality.

This fits the location naturally, as the region attracts both seasonal and lifestyle driven visitors.

The goal is not to maximize occupancy.

The goal is to create meaningful use of space within a living system.

3. Building a permaculture based garden system

The land will be developed as a permaculture inspired system, structured in zones.

The idea is to gradually move from controlled living space to semi wild productive land.

The upper zone around the house will become a living area with a strong family focus, including:

a garden designed for daily use

a swimming pool area for the children

and direct living space connected to nature

From there, the land will transition into more productive and regenerative zones.

4. Water as the foundation of the project

One of the most important elements of this property is water.

There are natural water sources on the land itself, which creates a unique opportunity for long term self sufficiency design.

The intention is to develop a fish pond system, building on an existing historical pond structure that was already present on the property.

This pond will not only serve an ecological function, but also a productive one.

Part of the vision is to integrate a small scale fish processing and smoking setup, creating a closed loop system between water, food and land.

5. A long term vision of self sufficiency

The broader intention behind this Living Project is not full isolation.

It is balance.

The goal is to move towards approximately 60 percent self sufficiency over time, combining:

food production

energy awareness

land regeneration

and local sourcing

This is not about eliminating dependency on systems.

It is about reducing unnecessary dependency and increasing direct connection to the land.

6. From ownership to interaction

What makes this project different is not the property itself.

It is the shift in relationship with it.

The land is not treated as a static asset.

It is treated as a system that evolves over time.

Zones will be developed gradually, based on observation, seasonality and natural behaviour of the land.

Nothing is rushed.

Everything is iterative.

Conclusion

This Living Project is not about building a perfect homestead.

It is about building a living system in Carinthia that evolves over time.

A home that is not only lived in, but actively shaped by the interaction between land, water, people and seasons.

This is the beginning of that journey.

SPINCHOICE Living Project

This series follows the real time development of a homestead in Carinthia, Austria, combining lifestyle design, land use and long term self sufficiency thinking.

Over time, this project may also evolve into a space where the process can be experienced and observed more closely.