Cameron and Janeen Schiff built their dream home out of trash and salvage, but it took 16 years to put it together by hand. Steel beams from a dismantled Lockheed factory frame the main structure; old surfboards from Patagonia are insulation; dozens of pieces of marble form a countertop; and broken concrete has become stairs and pathways.
The family of four began living in a trailer on the land until they had at a small room ready for a bunkbed and the kids. Each additional room was built as an individual unit so slowly a compound of rooms began to grow. Next came an office for Janine who worked from home in sales. And finally the main room, a near polygon, was finished with 10 foot ceilings, an open kitchen/living room, and a lofted bedroom.
After two wells went dry the family begin living off rainwater. All the rooftops collect rain which is then pumped up the mountain into holding tanks. Cameron laid tubing all the way up to mountainside so that there would be sufficient drop and pressure to power fire sprinklers.
They use a double barrel composting toilet, which takes about two years to fill up after which it sits for 2 1/2 years to remove any pathogens.
Cameron built a solar-powered hot tub out of an industrial mixing bowl and holding tanks across the property for rainwater one of which became a skate park. There is plenty of water for their indoor and outdoor showers and outdoor bathtub, as well as to water their fruit orchard.
On *faircompanies https://faircompanies.com/videos/family-builds-their-own-private-ecovillage-with-free-materials/
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Damn! I stay pretty up-to-date with your guises content and it’s definitely one of my favorite channels so cheers on all the amazing times! This particular episode really hits hard for me.
I could not believe that they had two wells dry up on them. Talk about determination, and their rain water catchment system is incredible! All of the funky construction is super fantastic! Love how they worked around the composting toilet hoops.
I say this video hits hard for me because my wife and I decided to move off grid about seven years ago. We started in a camper with our young kids and now we’re living in the first tiny house that I built I am currently about 80% done with my second tiny house And have a couple more to build. We are also going to build a large earth ship in the middle of the property and I can really respect the amount of work that has gone into that property! Super amazing video, you guys! Here’s to off grid living at its finest!✌🏽💚
Fascinating!! Great content about amazing people.
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Every home should have a composting loo. Our city sewer treatment systems are designed to destroy the planets bio organic balance and wastes water….simply evil.
Wow!
what a remarkable man
love this, you find the best people and places
Trying not to have any fear, in utilizing your hands, your experiences, your knowledge…
…and having difficulties with what OLD codes and Old regulations request of you. Wow. Amazing.
I believe you are gifted and I’M Super elated that Kirsten Dirksen and family were able to film this .
I am very inspired. Thankyou from treelink. 😊❤🤗
Wow, the amount of work and dedication that went into this is beyond imaginable.
“There is nothing new under the sky”. Answers have been provided for us to live a sustainable life! In ancient Greece most of the cities were irrigated and water was stored underground. It would be nice if governments would make it easier for people to be creative as long as they respect the environment!
Wonderful, A couple that see’s art and creativity in things other people throw away. I agree an artistic genius.
Most expensive part of his house was likely the stamp he got from the county building department 😂. Very creative people ! Love the craftsmanship and engineering that went into this place. Obviously a very talented man.
WOW…so creative!
The couple have worked incredibly hard to achieve this, congratulations 👏 😅
Brilliant
Imagine that. It took 16 documented years to make this small home. They probably have evidence of its construction every step of the way. Yet we’re led to believe that we were going around making monumental cathedral-like, extremely-detailed buildings in 1-3 years using horse and buggy back in the day (with no construction photos or actual details). Lol. Wake up, people! 🙄
This was made by one man (and his kids)
This home is a biography of the owners’ life, I’m gobsmacked at the awesomeness wow ♥
What a fun house. A bit complex but with some beautiful pieces of wood and metals. Mind-set. Making logical change is so hard to break into because of this. This a wonderful example of what can be done. I remember looking into composting toilets in the 1970’s in Qld., (Queensland) Australia. The idea that impressed me the most was the solid material of the composting toilet would drop down quite a height and, because of the hot, dry climate, all the material would dry out vey quickly and desintegrate in a very short time.
He’s a genius
15 years to build his dream. This family is lucky to be in their own space and away from all the city crazies.
These DIY houses are always the best. Lively spaces, no boring white parallel plaster walls..
US version of wabi-sabi.