Family builds their own private ecovillage with free materials
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- Опубліковано 17 лют 2024
- 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.
Their daughter dubbed them "Pioneers of the Modern Era" and Cameron laid cable to electrify their home, but they use a very basic composting toilet. Their double barrel system takes about two years to fill up (one side) after which they switch to the other barrel and let the full one sit for two and a half 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.
Cameron Schiff (furniture, building): janeencam@gmail.com
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its crazy how some people will run a meth lab in their suburban garage for a decade and not get caught but if you go live on the top of a mountain someone will report you for a compost toilet.
🏆 Jack of All Trades Genius Award 🎖️ Can feel his humility, but see his triumph 🎉 Great Father figure and family man 🤙🏼
Janeen was a big part.
Right on@@freefall9832
I’m in awe of this family, their creativity, their tenacity, their strength and endurance and so much more. What a way to spend time on planet earth. Simply awesome 🎉
Every man should have the FREEDOM to build his family home how he chooses. He will build safely to protect the ones he loves, affordably with what he can find, timely to support each phase of family growth, and creatively to his heart's desire. Well done Cameron and family, and thanks for giving us the full tour Kirsten and family!
"They don't like you to build like this." This was a treat. Thanks so much.
yeah they like to make you pay thousands to have other so called people tell you what works and what doesn't. I've delt with this myself but I have 40 years in Structural engineering so they leave me alone.
A creative guy with an awesome supportive wife. It doesn't get much better than that.🙂
So stoked she agreed to marry me (40 years ago)! She's suffered a bit as a result, but love endures
It was very interesting to see your creations Kirsten does great exposes'. @@CamSchiff
Time for some Camschiff content on UA-cam@@CamSchiff
@@CamSchifflucky guy
Literally every piece of material used in, on and around their home has a story behind it.
Their tenaciousness, creativity and humility is awe-inspiring, what a wonderful couple Cameron and Janeen are.
Thank you Dirksen family for taking us with you, it's such a privilege for all of us.
One man's trash is another man's treasure. Even their own 20-year-old trailer becomes a roof/water containment system !! What a cool couple. Love this episode.
I’m glad they persisted despite being “reported” and that their work was of such quality that they did not have to make any changes. Bravo
My respect for Cameron building everything with every material, just a Genius... and for Janeen and the family to support and help in the slightly long process. 😊
💙💚💛
can't believe she didn't leave, as this man forced them to live in a trailer for 8 years while having a usable house as his hobby workshop.
I can't believe she didn't leave me when I tried being an artist in the 80s in SF and a furniture maker in the 90s in Ft Bragg, Ca. Forcing people to do things and being described as a hobbyist is not who I am. There was only a dream we shared and I work methodically, which slows me down. We lived in the trailer for 2 1/2 years and cooked in it for 8, so a wash in the context of true love. "The key to slow growth is putting a 2 year old on every job site."@@iamtherealbritney
First off.... the view from when you drive in is amazing! Built from salvaged material...... I dig this place way more than words can ever say! way too cool...
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.
This is so inspiring. As a trained architect i have always been such a perfectionist- to the point that i have never built my own house (at my age I probably will never happen). Twenty six years later, this couple have their own version of a mixed family quilt in the form of a home. Such great memories shared in this tour. Bravo
I love the quilt analogy. Many pieces completed over time while staying true to a cohesive whole.
I am glad Kirsten spent time asking questions and filming all the shapes and pieces of the house inside and out. I know that I would spend hours looking over everything they fabricated. Their water collecting system is insane. I can't remember which culture thought that bathing in copper treated water had medicinal properties.
You're alone on the top of a mountain practically on 40 acres and you STILL have nosey neighbors ratting you out! Go figure!
This place is awesome! And so are these lovely people! Two peas in a pod!
Un Frigging Believable!! 😅 People are incredibly creative sometimes. Its wonderful to see
A familiar statement. R u Aussie or Kiwi? It’s got me thinking if other cultures use this statement
@@sallylyons430 Canadian.
@@icecubejenny tx for replying. Have a great day 💫
Yes free humans can be amazing, we have been enslaved too long, it is refreshing to see humans in their natural state
Easily a top 3 project on this channel. Simply amazing ❤
Why can't I be this handy and resourceful.
This guy is genius to be able to build off grid atop a hill alone.Mix material broken concrete, wood, aluminum, metal all from scrap materials
Kristen's UA-cam content is never disappointing. 👍
This has been the most Fascinating Experience I have seen and felt in a persons life in a long time. Just an amazing man . What a good woman she is too. You can't help but feel the LOVE there. Ty.💥💫💥
That's a crazy life lived. But they obviously enjoyed it.
Love how he used everything to create their home! Pure Genius
As a dedicated DIYer who knows the frustration of figuring out new things, I would love to hear about the struggle of what taking on a project like that is, like how much stress did they endure to make the dream reality, it looks easy when he calmly shows it to us but I bet there is some real blood sweat and tears there!!
"Design After Resources."
Yep, that's how I live too. Thank you for putting a name to it.
Every single video that has these off grid projects have just the most humble, sweet, patient, and full of humility types of people. They are all just so incredibly talented and creative. Just beautiful work and people. Much love and Aloha 🙏🏼❤️🤙🏼
His beautiful furniture, cabinetry, flooring and everything is so creative. I would give my eye tooth to be half as creative as Cam. Well done sir!
This is a remarkable family and life inspiring.Kirsten what a heart you and your family has.
Its amazing how we are told how wasteful we are, but at the same time they make it hard to build this way. In my state they will bury unused material on site. What a waste that is. My home has recycled stuff, but i had to stay below 200 square feet to stay out of regulations. A large wrap around porch is a blessing in my climate that extends my living space.
What a wonderful home you have created together. Your kids gained knowledge that most do not get. Thanks for showing us.
Thank you and wrap around porches are awesome!
Unbelievably cool, this man is genius in the way he thinks and, in the way, he uses found material for architecture. His wife is amazing too for seeing and trusting his vision and for being a partner with him in it to make a homestead as fabulous and unique as it absolutely is.
This is the coolest house ive ever seen, everything has a story, so great and what a spot, amazing!
It is great to see that I am not the only one who collects "stuff". There are too many materials that go into landfills each day, and they can be so useful and unique for building. I love how this couple collects the water, it is another free resource that many of us can use off the eavestroughs. This video may be the best one that I have seen Kristen, maybe. You have given us so many great stories and unique builds from all over the world. Thank you for sharing these artistic elements in buildings.
This guy is a creative genius.
Love all of his ideas.
Really a nice humble couple, so rare to see nowadays.
Im so like that, in that I hate waster, there are always creative ways to use things.
Many blessings to their lives.
❤
This man is a phenomenon!!! His mind is incredible and he and his lovely wife are really making me miss California. I grew up in Los Gatos and have been back in my native Ireland for 22 years now. What a wonderful piece Kirsten!!!
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. 😊❤🤗
Great show ! That’s really cool how it came together in slo-mo, but naturally as materials and time became available. Kudo’s on the up-cycling of building products. I’ve currently got at least 100- 9 ft 2x6’s that I got for free out of a 🇨🇦 prefab wall builder’s dumpster, tossed, because they can’t pay a guy to pull the nails out of components put together wrong. In turn, I build free benches for parks. win-win. Never be afraid to ask to salvage things headed for the landfill. 🍁🤙
It's so fascinating to me because I live in a small rural town in Australia and all we have, as do all of the other residents, is rain water. For our drinking, cooking, bathing, cleaning, watering and everything else in between. There are no other options. The water is clean and pure and it is collected from all of our rooftops. How ridiculous to be placing restrictions on this incredible, natural resource! PS I just LOVE this whole property!!!
I've been inspired by the Australian ingenuity regarding rainwater harvesting! Thanks
@@CamSchiff 🩷🙌🌿
Where are the 5-Star options for this couple! They demo’d the trailer they spent 8 yrs in and he salvaged all the aluminum to build to bathroom ceiling?! I think I cried (okay, I know I did) at a couple of points in this vid over the sheer commitment these two exhibit to an upcycled, off-grid, regenerative lifestyle. Clearly, for some of us, those words are far from platitudes or unlived dreams but abject standards held from day one. My biggest thrill - even with the rollerblade chase!?! - is the fact that this couple is still together. Love to you both and thanks for the inspiration! (Kirsten & fam ❤ fuhevah)
😮This is Amazing now only if we had more people like them! He definitely should get some kind award and put into like a magazine to be recognized for his Amazing work. I can’t even imagine how many hours of work has went into this! Bravo 👏 🎉 way to go! Nice story thanks for sharing 🫶🫶☮️☮️🌎🌎👏👏❤️
Wow, the amount of work and dedication that went into this is beyond imaginable.
I think it's a beautiful thing they've done for themselves! Anything worth doing is hard work.
My favorite episode of all time. Thank you so much
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.
I love their resourcefulness. Thanks Kirsten for your ongoing wonderful videos.
Such an amazing family, their house is full of character and love. It suits them really well.
The copper tint from the pipes in the hot tub reminded me of a study I saw, "Copper Alloy Touch Surfaces in Healthcare Facilities: An Effective Solution to Prevent Bacterial Spreading," copper is a natural disinfectant.
WOW,if only, we know how to recycle, just a little like he does, the world would be a diferent place, we throw away so much, God bless them, thankyou for your work.
Magnificent ❤, you two and kids give a lot of love,hard working. So beautiful, thank you.
They are the epitome of craftsmen and women!! This is the kind of thing kids today should see and be inspired by. You can do anything you want if you put your mind to it. It just takes hard work, a little ingenuity and research on how to do things.
I LOVE IT!!! I keep screaming out loud, "I love it, I love it, I love it"! I will watch this again and again. There are so many things I want to comment on... I loved the "two-hour patch work of colored cement" on the outer wall, and disagree with your interpretation that somehow it needed to be accepted - it is perfection! There's just too much I could comment on - it's ALL SO GREAT!!! THANK YOU for sharing your incredibly creative and beautiful home with us!
Really, if you can build for 12 years before involving the building inspectorate, they look at your work and ask you to take nothing down but just add a sprinkler to pass code you are a considered and thoughtful builder. I love this quiet renegade.
I am shocked and amazed, at this project that these innovative, intelligent, cool people took on! I’ll be watching this again! thank you so much for introducing us to them! Very inspiring!
Did he just say somebody reported him. That’s crazy. That person really need to mind their business
That's California for you. You wouldn't believe some of the laws that you'll find there. It turns people into "reporters". Right after that he said that it took 4+ years to resolve the issue. All because someone did not like what they were doing on their own land and had to report them to the county.
I'm assuming someone must have trespassed onto their property, or used a drone to fly over it. Either way, those are both illegal, and people should learn to mind their fucking business. Imagine caring what the hell someone does with their own property on top of a mountain, without neighbors.
@@taylorsessions4143 yep it’s a huge issue in CA
We left
They don’t even like people rain catching
States completely wackooo
Same thing happened to us. We were building our Strawbale house it took ten months for engineering and permits. People are jealous they just need to mind their own business.
You've made a tremendous work, men💪 dream and win💙💛🙏
Thank you. Love from Limassol Cyprus
Awesome home👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 They should start rewriting the plumbing codes now. People
are.getting wise about our water needs. Don't wait for a Crisis before they do something.
Let me get this straight. California is suffering from a homelessness problem and for the last 15+ years you have had a problem solving genius quietly reimagining the home building paradigm on a remote mountainside using any material he could get his gifted hands on. What is wrong with this picture??? He is a national treasure. California, America stop sleeping on this man!!!!! I honestly can't believe the lack of recognition happening here.
That Lockheed plant he mentions built the P-38 Lightning fighter during the war years. My uncle flew the type in combat over Europe.
If I could have salvaged material from the old plant, I surely would have!
Awesome. I wish you'd concentrate on these terrific and revolutionary labor of love DIY projects instead of the unattainable creations of rich architects and their clients. Architectural Digest is doing that kinda stuff already.
Wood Butchers Handbooks, Arthur Boerke .. check em out, original ca arts world documentor
Yes!
I love how these people make things work.
Sharp hat buddy. This is a great way to live. Thanks Kirsten for bringing us this content.
Wow! This may have taken a long time to build, but wow! The stories behind everything are so incredible and interesting! It's just a captivating video. And I had no idea there was anywhere at this altitude that got such insane winds! 100 to 120 mph! Again, WOW!
very,very cool ! proves that with a little money, lots of creativity and out of the box thinking, with hard work one can have a castle on a hill!
Absolutely stunning view. You feel on top of the world here. What an amazing piece of property.
The home made by patient dreamers! Thanks Kirsten for showing such an amazing places!
I had a chance to visit in 2013 and was amazed at the creativity, these are such humble and creative people. The world would be wise to embrace this kind of creativity in all aspects of life. ❤❤❤
Reminds me of my old English teachers place above lake George, new south wales Australia. He took the whole class there out one day. Stunning.
Wow what a story. My dad and I are fixing up a cottage on a remote Scottish island, and I thought we were taking too long at 6 years, but this man's story puts it in perspective.
I'd love to visit you someday! Good luck with the project✌
this might be my favorite as far as design skill, resourcefulness and recycling. This guy deserves to instruct a large team with a well equipped shop.
Wow what an impressive build
I wasn't going to watch all of this, it was kind of long, but i was sucked into it as soon as it started!! Amazing ingenuity and skill, and materials that went into these buildings!!! ❤
If bureaucracy only got on board with clever ideas to live outside the box instead of designated mind numbing localities that one must adhere to because of mandate or regulation. beautifully liveable buildings that this Man came up with as he needed them, Thanks for Sharing
Cameron and Janeen your creation of a house is nothing less than SPECTACULAR!!! Thank you Kirsten.
❤They are amazing, the eco-villas are so good and the friendly finishing materials are perfectly utilized❤
The commitment to live free of noise and air pollution is commendable. Great job 👏🏻
This wife is the definition of the word patient!
She's a special gem.
Wow! Amazing! Unique!
Creative! COOL!
Bravo
Art homes take along time to build. So many cool things
This is one of my favourite channels and this has been my best episode ever. Thank you for finding these amazing people
Love this! A little slice of heaven....
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.
Been watching your videos for years ,another great story and self reliance triumph, well done 🤙
I've stayed there. Most epic place ever...
No shit? I don't believe you!
I absolutely love this guy and his lady
This so awesome!! Amazing to see how his brain works within this house. They’ve come such a long way!!
This was interesting. I admire people who can live out thier dream and not have to have everything instantly. I must say also, that I have enjoyed watching your kids growing up through the years. All the places you have been has been a really good adventure, and education for them.
Wonderful, A couple that see's art and creativity in things other people throw away. I agree an artistic genius.
Genius. King of Recycle for sure. Yes on that elevation, with 100-120 mph winds, I’d go underground.
These DIY houses are always the best. Lively spaces, full of creativity, no boring white parallel plaster walls..
US version of wabi-sabi.
Thank you for mentioning wabi-sabi🥢
Sitting on top of the world!!!!
Very patient woman.
A really beautiful home. Well done.
Love love , the projects you choose, ufffff it makes my mood swing to up hill when you’re post comes 😂🙏🙏🙏I wonder how much your kids enjoy & learn hope they take architecture as their profession ☺️… I would suggest if you some time feature the falling water too 🙏🙏🙏
What a beautiful place to call home!
Brilliant , great work.
Thank you so much for showing us all these uniquely awesome homes. Love all your videos!!!
Your content never ceases to amaze me!
This was so satisfying to watch. This family has some awesome memories built into this homestead. Can't imagine how much hardship they endured. But the rewards are inspiring. Would hope the children are in professions that promote their ideals. Would be hard to live a hum drum life after such a childhood. Thanks for sharing this. I want to sit in that bowl looking at that view.😊
Brilliant
This builder thinks and appreciates the process/structure/materials inherent to a valuable world. Upcycle etc, makes the world a more interesting place. I wish I had his skills. Well done sir, and presentation guys.
absolutely incredible!!!!!!!!!! thank you for showing the world what we are capable of!!!!!