Off the Grid (119)

Driftwood Shack in Northern California

By Lloyd Kahn on March 13, 2018

Reincarnation of the Whalebone Saloon, built a few years ago by Sean Hellfritsch and friends on a remote beach. It’s at the base of a free-flowing creek that empties on to the beach, and has prolific watercress.

Categories: Natural Building  Tags: , ,
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The Nest

By Evan Kahn on March 6, 2018

Hi, Lloyd,

Thank you so much for all your inspirational work, your books, and thoughts.

You have been filling my passed father’s role as a motivational teacher for the last decade. A simple image of your kitchen was enough to make me reach out. Ten years ago my young family acquired 6 amazing acres of land in South Australia. It had a small cabin with solar light still glowing from the last owner and lined with insulating corks.

Ever since I learned of the stability of the Earth’s temperature 6 feet down, my dream has been to build a earth-integrated home. This is what I have done, slowly, by hand, using the earth, rock, and free or cheap materials. A living earth roof, earth and kangaroo-poo floors, off-grid solar system, well water, incredible wildlife, no debt. And a Vitruvian chill space — what more could you ask for?

If you are ever in Australia, drop by.

Cheers and thank you,
–Will

Categories: Carpentry, Natural Building  Tags: , , , ,
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Long House by Bruno Atkey

By Evan Kahn on February 6, 2018

Bruno built this 30′×50′ building on a remote beach belonging to the Hesquiat tribe in British Columbia in 1999. It’s used in a “rediscovery” program, and now run by Hooksum Outdoor School, which educates young First Nations people about their history and heritage.

The entire building was framed with beach­combed logs — posts, beams, and purlins. Roofing is 3′-long split-cedar shakes; siding is also split cedar — 1×12’s and 1×15’s six to twelve feet long(!). His crew was mostly from the Hesquiat tribe…

Categories: Carpentry, Design  Tags: , , , ,
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The Homes Kate Dodd Built

By Evan Kahn on January 25, 2018

Kate Dodd built two off-the-grid houses in the Northern California woods in the early ’70s. She and her partner started the house in spring of 1972 and moved in that winter (with one wall covered with plastic sheeting).

The foundation was concrete piers. The pole frame was spiked to the piers with a vertical piece of 1″ galvanized pipe. For the attached greenhouse she poured a perimeter foundation…

Categories: Tiny Homes  Tags: , , , , ,
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Mike Basich Building His Dream Chaser Rig

By Evan Kahn on January 23, 2018


Mike takes on a new way of tiny homes with his latest build, here sharing his dreams of chasing storms and showing the steps of building what it takes to create your Dream Chaser.

Categories: House Trucks, Nomadic Homes, Vehicles  Tags: , , , ,
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Solar-Powered School Bus Cabin

By Evan Kahn on January 12, 2018

Lloyd,

Like many, I scrounge the internet for building ideas. I came across a really cool dish-rack/shelf that was built into a corner in a kitchen. You could stand the plates up to dry between the slats, and still set bowls and mugs on it like a shelf. Brilliant! I saved the picture, and put it in the “barn-house” folder on my computer for future reference, when it comes time to build.

A few months ago, you posted a video of how you do dishes. I nearly leapt out of my seat when I saw the very same dish shelf … was in your kitchen! You have a long history of collecting and publishing all the good ideas you can find, I guess it shouldn’t be such a surprise that a design like that ended up in your home!

My sister and my mother, both crafty individuals, each received one of your books for Christmas. They are being exchanged as we read them with interest around the fire.

Last year, I built a solar-powered cabin out of a school bus, which will be my base camp while I take my time building a house on the cheap over the next few years. I’m blogging my journey at www.day9975.com. Until then, during the workweek I’m living in the semi-finished upstairs of an un-plumbed post-and-beam barn my dad built 20 years ago, and saving up for my own build.

As I go into designing my home, your books are my favorite source for creative solutions to whatever design challenge I encounter. Thanks to you and your team for writing.

Hope you have a happy new year,
–Aaron DeAngelis

Categories: House Buses, Nomadic Homes, Vehicles  Tags: , , ,
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Adventuring with Lola

By Evan Kahn on January 1, 2018

I am a 19-year-old girl from Long Island, New York with a passion to travel and explore new places. Upon graduating high school I knew I didn’t want to jump right into college. I was never into books, nor was I the type that wanted to sit and study in a classroom. I didn’t even know what career I wanted to pursue. I felt that I could enjoy my life in a different way other than sitting in a classroom and if down the road I decided college was for me, then I would choose what I wanted to do and make a decision from there.

During high school and after I traveled to all kinds of different places with my mom, whether it was a trip to an island or somewhere in the states, it was always a thrill to explore new places, meet new people, and see new things. Working five days a week and saving up my money allowed me to take my time in deciding what I wanted to do.
Read More …

Categories: House Buses, Nomadic Homes, Vehicles  Tags: , , ,
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Beautifully Converted Bus

By Evan Kahn on December 20, 2017


This dynamic young family is hitting the road, traveling all over North America in their incredible converted Blue Bird school bus. Dubbed ‘The School of Life‘, this skoolie conversion project was all about giving JT and Tamra the opportunity to travel and learn all about the continent, it’s landscapes, people and history. The bus’s name took on new meaning when they gave birth to their son Kalon.

The interior of the school bus has been converted into a beautiful tiny home with everything the family needs to live comfortably on the road, with a large lounge and entertainment area, wood stove, kitchen bedroom, and lots of room for storage of clothes and other items.

Categories: House Buses, Nomadic Homes, Vehicles  Tags: , , , ,
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