Building without predicting

it’s liberating just to read these words. thanks for posting!

My dad, an architect, said living on your land through all seasons before sighting and designing the house was the only way to get it truly right.

He would love how you’ve extended that to the design of the house itself and everything in it. He was also a long time fan of Stewart Brand’s work.

I like that you think about maintenance. It seems like very few architects and contractors do and it causes a lot of difficulty and unnecessary expense for those who live on the house. I’d personally probably find ways to make utility infrastructure accessible rather than visible for aesthetic reasons - though I grew up in an unfinished single wall house where it was both and it was fine.

Lovely write up of a fun and interesting approach.

Hi Derek,

What a cool description. You are clearing the way for many to see a path they could try out in some form.

I like where you say "Start using what's there. Discover actual needs." People get stuck in paths or with things for year or decades and adjust minor items based on a start that already set things afoot. They can't see clearly what they actually use or need and become muddled for a good chunk of their lifetime. You pulled it back and got clearer on what is there and why, and what you want to add.

The other cool item is "Isolation of purposes". Setting the rooms apart keeps them clear on what they are for, and this keeps the mind goal-oriented when you go to each one. You're saving a lot of energy and keeping yourself well-structured. We might use a room or section for 5 things, and then our focus when we get to that room or section is not as direct as if it was for one thing.

Keep up all the cool things,
Armen

I'm fairly sure you're read Steward Brand's Maintenance of Everything: Part One, but if you haven't it's definitely worth the read. I will definitely be reading How Buildings Learn.
sive.rs/book/Maintenance1 — Derek

Thank you for giving us an update on this topic, ever since I’ve heard you mention this philosophy on the podcast I’ve been very intrigued by this process. It seems like you’re expanding on Stewart Brands work by adapting it and making it your own and it sounds like great fun and very creative.

That’s why I laughed at that neighbor story. It often amazes me that when status quo is challenged people feel upset by it, even though it may not apply to them directly and all you’re doing is living your life on your own terms rather than someone else’s.

Having now bought my own piece of land I’ve started spending a lot of time there and since I’m a builder by trade I want to build my own dwelling and this philosophy as well as “A Pattern Language” by Chris Alexander are incredibly valuable resources for trying to create a comfortable home environment.

This write up has reminded me of the importance of having an outdoor kitchen, I love to bbq mainly to keep the smells outside so why not do the whole process out there!

It would be great to hear how your dwelling adapts to your changing needs a couple of years down the line!

Best article I've read this year.
Novel, useful, inspiring.
Questions:
1. With what you know now, would you have done anything differently?
2. is a water maker like watergen an option to avoid storing water?
2a. how do you power fridge, freezer and cook food (outdoor grill or fire pit)?
3. You share your tech tools. Can you share your appliances and other home purchases?
4. If you love it and others hate it, is that art?
5. i know you dont want to predict, but do you anticipate or would it be helpful to have other structures (like gym / movement area; garage to store cars for winter)? If so, what are you thinking?
6. how do you keep units clean?
7. Is enough rain collected to meet drinking, cooking, washing, showering, and cleaning needs?
8. How do you keep units clean of dust and debris?
1. No. 2. ? 2a. electricity 3. no 4. no 5. have gym 6. I clean 7. yes 8 vaccum — Derek

I absolutely love this

Hey Derek.

Here are some ideas that popped into my mind as I was reading your text:
- While dangerous, I think it would be funny to try to pet the wild boar.
- "I love the isolation of purposes." - This made me think of the Inguz, which is the rune of fertility, gestation and isolation for the benefit of evolution.
- The idea of being forced to go outside as you move between cabins is brilliant.

Happy to see you publish another article here.

Sounds interesting, would love to see some photos!
I haven't taken any photos of it. — Derek

This really is great timing!
I move to Aotearoa next year and plan a similar path. Have you read Hojoki by Chomei?
Thanks for your insights here.
Nope — Derek

Hi Derek,

There's another book, well two really, I would heartily recommend if you haven't read along this way of thinking and approach to building The first is called The Timeless Way of Building by Christopher Alexander, an architect. This book is usually paired with his other, called A Pattern Language.
In the former, he goes through how people all over the world approached the construction of buildings before formalized plans by architects (very similar to your method without prediction) and introduces the concept of patterns (a solution of tension in a space).

In A Pattern Language, he and is team catalogue about 250 patterns they recognized in the creation of various buildings or spaces. Having it as a reference and inspiration is very useful.

The pattern concept also, btw., inspired some programmers as an approach to software.

Anyway, your post strongly reminded me of these books, so I wanted to make the recommendation.
I loved both of those books, and they are great advice on how to make spaces that please most people. — Derek

When were built our own home five years ago the building envelope was small (by Aussie standards), having such a hard constraint was actually very liberating, minimising the number of decisions to make. We focused on the essence of what we needed and avoided scope creep. The key variable to optimise was building alignment to maximise solar gain, which also strongly dictate window size and placement.

Love this concept and love the fact that 10 years ago I would have thought you were making silly choices but now I respect it. I get the appeal. I think of it like a form of bespoke luxury. I think of luxury as having commercial grade quality in a residential setting that will work forever and are practical. When I am living my best life, I like to get rid of 2-3 things and replace it with one nicer thing.

Enjoyed at of the 4 points, especially this one! I’m probably too old to do what you did, but the wife and i DO own a 16x20 1 room cabin in the woods. Electric, but no water.

Hmmm

Always such a joy to read your stuff, I'd just been explaining you to a friend earlier today and how we met in Waxy O'Connor's London to swap precious notes on Building Music Empires!

I'm now moving from The Beautiful Cotswolds to live in a cabin to be near my parents in Sussex to help during their old age phase.>

Such a Beautiful & Simple life you described where abouts is this cabin of yours?

Many Blessings Derek

Deanomuso

I'm a big fan of "How Buildings Learn," too.

The things that people need are just things that have been sold to them, and things that they feel a social pressure to need.

Mawmaw's farm had an outhouse until 1995. My best friend had an outhouse until 2000. They still split and stack and pack wood for heat. I grew up with wood stoves.

Although I live in a small town, I spend as much time outside as possible. Despite the bugs and insane heat and humidity. People watch, talk to my neighbors, write, read, play the mandolin. Also, we get endorphins from sun exposure, as well as vitamin D. And being tan makes my teeth look whiter than they are. Also, when you deal with the elements regularly, they dont bother you.

I love that there are 4 separate cabins. I write and work from the coffee shop each day because I need that experience of going into a different space for a different end.

Excellent and practical way to go well done. What a real application of judgement your approach is.

hmm. I love the approach. It's why my wife and I got engaged on our first date, and will celebrate 32 years in December.

Essentially all you're saying is that a home (as opposed to a house) is a complex system, where the cause-effect relationship is informed by the future effects. As you can't predict consequent causes because you have no idea what the effects are yet, you need to experiment and iterate. In short, this is an agile approach to house building. As opposed to a clear system (follow this recipe) or a complicated system (get an expert to design the network) or chaos (there is no correlation between cause and effect so act and then consider effects).

Marriages, to a large extent careers, homes, communities, natural habitats, weather, and even businesses, are all complex systems. As you point out, it's folly to predict, better to experiment.

All that said, you have to acknowledge that you have a very different context to many. E.g. I have 4 daughters, 3 in permanent relationships, 2 with kids and a third with one on the way. We like to gather monthly and my wife and I weekly with friends. So entertaining is a primary requirement for us. That has downstream effects of the ability to cook for many, host many, provide hygiene services for many, clean and store dishes, cooking utensils etc. And crucially, we know this already. We've rented houses where we were constrained to entertain. Will we always like to entertain, and host, and cater for others? Most likely because it's a virtuous cycle.

You also have the wherewithal to build a house. I won't presume to know your community ties, but many live in communities that have a symbiotic nurturing effect. I.e. their presence is beneficial to the community they live in, and reciprocally the community benefits them. So moving off-grid to a valley removes them from family, resources, and opportunities to care. With that off the table, it becomes difficult to afford to build a house iteratively in communities with regulations, and codes, and even societal expectations.

The insight I got from this wonderful approach of yours is that we need to discern what is a complex rather than complicated (or clear) system, and approach it differently. As you say, without predicting.

I love this conceptually - but wonder how you'd factor for contingencies and/or plan for even a little redundancy?

(Maybe growing older with potentially looming aging-related and health problems makes me think this way?)

Hi Derek,
Very interesting. Part of me imagines having a dwelling place like yours. Glad it worked out for you.

I do like my creature comforts, though, esp now that I'm a senior. We have a 2-storey duplex (side-by-side) with 2 bathrooms, a heat pump, an electric car (Nissan LEAF 2018) an electric stove, a natural gas water heater, a water-saving auto-washer and NO dishwasher. I don't like them very much. If we started entertaining a lot I'd think about getting one but there's only the 2 of us.
We are contemplating going solar but haven't done anything about it yet.

I like to hear about alternative houses, esp those that are owner-built. Interesting to hear your place is simple & not more than you need.

In 1968, I contemplated emigrating to New Zealand, but decided to stay in Canada after all. Maybe I'll get to N.Z. in a few years. Maybe. It sounds like a very interesting place.

Enjoy yourself and the best to you. Glad you're keeping in touch.

Marian Kemp
Powell River
British Columbia
Canada

Your ideas still inspire me to think bigger! Thank you for sharing your process and your ideas for living on your own terms. I’m so excited by this idea.
☺ — Derek

I’ve thought a lot recently about being liked . Being likeable ! I’ve tossed this around since early childhood . I think it’s over rated and comes with too many trade offs. Bit like pursuing money. Seems like a nice idea until you realise the costs. Being polite - that’s different . Low cost and prevents friction. Opinions are like arse holes they say - everyone has one lol . Anyhow - situation ; staying in an isolated cabin just outside Bangor Wales . Had my morning walk and coffee and now it’s 0721 am. Thunderstorms expected . Wife and kids asleep back at base and hope to get some stand up paddle boarding down but probably go to Plas Newydd stately home we like it there and kids haven’t been there since toddlers. My eldest told me I was weird last night and smiled on the drive for Sushi. I liked that. Anyhow / I love this post Derek - especially the part about the neighbour yelling . I like when people do that it’s like a compass pointing true north. You’re on to something when people yell. Mick hucknell is playing on the mcD radio station and it’s very grey and wet. My fave. Peter Lynch did a talk once in black and white in the rain. The background noise over his voice was as incredible

As a former architect I was agreeing, smiling and flinching while reading your description of the house and the process. It's inspiring to understand the way you are truly connected and coherent with your philosophy and your take on life.
Greetings from sunny Portugal

I enjoyed and learnt very much reading your decision-making and building process for your house. I can see how this way of approaching decisions can be taken into other realms of life. I leave inspired and with less pressure on my shoulders.

Now, I have a question. I felt so much curiousity to actually *see* the house and garden sections described in your text... Then smiled when you added a final comment on how you barely take any photographs. May I ask: why?

Thank you. Greetings from Calella de Palafrugell, Girona (Spain)
I care mostly about how things SOUND. Then smell is next priority, then touch/feel/texture. After that: how they look. But our current culture is over-emphasizing looks, overloaded with pictures everywhere. So I almost never feel the world needs more pictures. I'd prefer less. — Derek

I like Nassim Nicholas Taleb's line - "Invest in preparedness not prediction". Can be applied to all walks of life.

This reminds me of Step 2 of Elon Musk's algorithm:

"Delete any part or process you can. You may have to add them back later. In fact, if you do not end up adding back at least 10% of them, then you didn't delete enough."

Nice description!
I was instinctively looking for photos of the place, probably like everybody who seems to have been asking.
But it's ok, I have a pretty good idea what it looks like from your verbal description; I can picture it in my head.

What a wonderfully unique and practical perspective. You have patience and intention. How inspiring.

My wife and I are moving into a newly constructed home next month. It is a planned subdivision with all houses conforming to standards set by the architect and builder. It has an HOA that takes care of everything on the exterior. It strikes me that this is the opposite of what you did, Derek, yet it’s what we hope works for us, an early 70s couple near our son, daughter in law and expected granddaughter. To each his own. Enjoy!

Great story, Derek. Three questions:
- What did it actually feel like as you ran each experiment, or did you not see it that way?
- Did any assumptions you arrived with get changed along the way?
- Did you arrive at zero, or store your existing things somewhere first (I know you already travel light)?
Yes it's all an experiment. And I was often surprised what I did or didn't need. I had another house 30 minutes down the road and did bring what I needed from that house, and discarded a lot, too. (Sold that old house now.) — Derek

Thank you!
No pictures of the house is helpful to me. It doesn't clutter my mind so I can better see what works for me.

I am pursuing awareness of the delusions I add to everything. As an example from a car a highway seems busy, fast and impossible to cross on foot. Reality there are periods of time with no traffic and no need to rush across. Failure to challenge the contextual shift of experience leads to assumptions that aren't true. Then a fear to try.

After several years away and living in an extremely different way I am back with family. Becoming aware of how constrained my life was. There is a tension that must be sat with to say I don't know. That process can be an adventure of discovering what I actually prefer or do not, separate from my and the assumptions of others I adopted with out testing.


Thank you for your clear simple concepts that I can apply to reach a less complicated existence.

There is something innate in humans about creating shelter. Primal.

For work reasons, I moved frequently. As an Early GenX (raised rural so semi-feral) buying a house was still possible and renovating/improving as a hobby was lucrative. Over the years, every house I owned was improved before I sold. In several cases, my renovations were better quality than the original construction. Attention to detail is important.

Eventually (2019) I ended up building a house which was both satisfying and frustrating. I was still working full-time so I hired a contractor. My wife and I directed the design using a simple philosophy you might recognize.

"Everything we need; nothing more."

The resulting home is beautiful, functional, and custom.

The contractor was on time, on budget, and flexible. I watch his website and I see several of our design ideas he was reluctant/hesitant to try are now elements of all of his latest projects.
“Everything we need; nothing more.” ← love this! Thanks for posting this. — Derek

I definitely want to see your home. Can you share some pictures?
Congratulations, and thanks for sharing
Nope. How it looks is not the point. — Derek

You always appear in my life Derek when I need some inspiration.

Coming to the end of one phase of my life and knowing The Narrowing® is upon on I have decided to move to North (Scandinavia) and have been investigating land, builders etc in prep.

Your post landed at the right time. It lit enough light blubs that I had to recuse myself from an afternoon of meetings to write iterations down.

Thank you. (Again)

best

Bharat

I love it, Derek! It reminds me of the first two places where my first wife (now deceased) and I lived when we were first married.
The first was two rooms and one path. We did have water from a spring up the hill a bit, but it only went to the single-tub kitchen sink where we took water for cooking and drinking, washing the dishes and "sponge-bathing." There was a hose bib outside, if we wanted a cold shower.
THEN we DOWNSIZED from that luxury, moving into a U.S. Forest Service lookout station on a mountain top. The only luxury there was a small sink that just drained to the outside of the lookout, and a medium-sized cast iron wood fired kitchen range. The only electricity was the batteries in the 2-way radio setup that connected us to the ranger station. Our water came from a spring about 2 miles down the mountain which I collected and brought to the lookout in two 10-gallon cream cans. Each full can weighed approximately 85 lbs. As you might imagine, we were extraordinarily conservative with that water! Even though I was able to bring it most of the way up the hill in my car, there were 52 steps from the end of the road up to the lookout building.
Firewood for the wood stove was delivered to the end of the road in rounds, ready to be split, then chopped into segments that would fit in the stove. It, too, had to be carried up the 52 steps and places in a wood box near the stove.
We were rarely able to leave because we were on 24 hour fire watch, so food was delivered to us every two weeks. With no refrigeration, we were not able to keep fresh vegetables and meats. A cooler box had been constructed at the spring with the spring water running through the base of it. We were able to keep eggs and bacon in that for much of the two weeks.
We had no phone to the outside world. The only communications were by 2-way radio on the official U.S Forest service channel and the occasional visitor (who would often find us both totally nude).
We did have a small transistor radio, but none of the local radio stations could be received there. No television, DVDs hadn't even been thought of yet. We had each other, the sky, the stars, an occasional deer or two, grouse, chipmunks, millions and millions of mice, a cat and a packrat that lived beneath the lookout building, and had a passion for our silverware.
BEST TIMES OF MY LIFE! We spent two summers there before I was offered a technical job and we moved to a different city into a conventional building with electricity and plumbing.
In a few days I will be 84 years of age. I have lived a blessed life that would be the envy of most of the world's population, I have had homes with so many bedrooms that we didn't even bother to furnish them all, and bathrooms that we never used. Still, those two first homes rank at the top of my list of favorites. There was no way to live in them without being fully alive and participating with the world around us.

Very lovely. Since living in Alaska, remote cabin weekends have been some of my favorite times. It's amazing how luxurious a hot cup of coffee, instant ramen and campfire-cooked steak are.

I am curious though...how do you have a washing machine with no water source? Sounds like magic

Best,
Chris
It rains a lot here. Collected rainwater fills two huge 25KL tanks. That’s plenty of water. — Derek

What about guys like me who have a wife to consider? I need an easier adventure to get her thinking this way

I feel it and wow when that moment arises no mind no mind just guided by moons and stars dissolving all that no longer serves the soul. Love it Derek thanks for sharing.

Hi Derek
Loved this episode.
I did something similar a few years ago.
I had just gone through a tough few months, rented a cottage from a friend, was bare bones, key to front door didn’t work properly.

Started from scratch, only added what I needed - coffee plunger, a few plates, some cutlery.

Life was bliss. Inevitability, things change, people come into our lives etc, we make some changes.

But that feeling of simplicity was incredible.

I really needed this. And so incredibly timely reading this on a Thursday night. I will get rid of a tonne of stuff i dont need this weekend. Thanks!

after reading this, all's i can say is I love you derek. thank you.

Hey Derek,

Nice email, great to read. Having been in the property business for a lot of my career and seeing so many properties damaged by water, I couldn't agree with you more. It's such a good idea to put out of the building.

I also love the idea of just having 4 separate cabins so thank you for that. I've been looking for land all day today so this is a lovely piece to read and gives me even more excitement.

I love that you put this idea through the test....the phases of what you need. I work in the tradeshow/exhibits industry and all along my motto is "Have a good plan and expect it to change." The nature of this industry is the need to think through WHAT we think will happen on the show floor, perhaps even hoping to influence what an attendee will do in the space. Often times it feels like I'm stuck in the chicken or egg scenario when it comes to building a booth. I would love to find ways to incorporate less planning, leaving room for surprises...but that is often counterintuitive for what I do. But still...I'm gonna keep this way of thinking with me and ponder it a bit more if i can. Thx!

Wish there were photos in this one but anyways, loved this. So cool.

Hi Derek,
I’ve been a big fan of yours since the CD Baby days but this one is way out of my pay grade. Please don’t misunderstand me, your life has always been so spectacular to me but living like you are would be something I would never want to do. I’m a big comfort baby and would go nuts having to go outside to shower. Hell, I don’t like to go outside to take out the garbage. Living off the grid would be pure torture for a weakling like me. So as I said you are quite the inspiration for me, but not this time.

Derek, your house project resonates with me a lot. In my mid-twenties I was broke and living back in my parents house, something that I didn't like at all. An old farmhouse came up for rent cheap nearby, no central heat (went out years ago), nothing luxurious in almost anyone's eyes but mine, but a comfortable, simple place. I had nothing to loose renting it. I heated with coal and wood, re-routed pipes that froze in the basement, and fixed anything that broke. Now I often dream about doing just what you did, especially after the discovery that I do my best work alone. Thank You for sharing this.

Duane

Thoughtful exploration.
Delicate balance between 'simple' and 'easy'.
Deep questioning of what one can get away without.

In a sense, function over form.
The essence is the product if an uncommon neuro-physiology making us readers xenophiles.

All the best.
:)

LOVE THIS CUSTOM-FIT-LIFE YOU BOTH HAVE BUILT...WISH I COULD HAVE TRADED THIS EXISTENCE WITH YOUR SON!

You are a hell of a guy. I really admire you. I would have to have some beauty inside these cabins. But for you maybe beauty is practicality.

Hi Derek. How i loved reading this dialog. Im in my late 60s now but if I'd had a partner back in the day who wanted to something like this I would have been in boots in all. There is something very satisfying about the challenge of very simple living that is most attractive.
Ive totally downsized to a 69sqm house now to be near my son and grandkids. Its nice knowing I dont have a need for anything. Its quite liberating. I dont care for trends or having the latest 'whatever'. Even doing all my own food prep and not having any manufactured food just for convenience sake is so rewarding. And I make a point of supporting small local growers and suppliers. Please keep sharing your journey. I love reading it.
My first hour of each day regardless of weather (under my verandah mind!) is spent watching the birds after i have fed them apple, birdseed and sugar water, while watching the morning light unfold. Blessings and love to you and your son.

I had a friend come around to my house, look at my living area and say:

"You know what you need, is more plants around, here"

I like plants, but mostly outside, and I find them difficulty to manage. So I only have two plants inside.

I love this and am planning to do the exact same thing in the next 2 years with my fiance. This is a really helpful way to approach the planning of it. Thankyou!

Hi Derek
Your emails in my inbox are a gift. Thank you. Just shared this one with my 35 year old son who currently lives with us. Hoping it gives him some ideas. ;-)
Take care,
Janice

Love this. Ill be coming back to frequently.
The park analogy is gold.

As an old builder I love these concepts. I spend 50 years building custom designed big houses for people that couldn't afford them, and who spend most of their life's energy working to pay for them. I current don't own a house and don't care! It is so easy to live very comfortably in a cluster of shipping containers, design to suit your exact needs. But it won't impress the family or neighbours. I would love to do it in a highly affluent suburb just for the hell of it, assuming I could get it through the local council and the outraged neighbours.

Seems this is how you built CDBaby too. I like meta design patterns that prove useful across all domains. Ty Derek.

I absolutely loved this. What a fantastic approach. Coming from someone who helped his father build a house from scratch, I commend this approach so much. For me it’s very natural to apply this thinking to construction and building in general. But I want to design my business around this model, which i’m much less experienced in building. But there’s something about not building the paths until you have seen where people are choosing to walk them that I find truly inspiring. Thanks for this.

If your home takes on the shape of a cookie cutter model home in ten years time, we will have confirmed that we are in a simulation.

Great read! Always happy to see your updates land in the inbox.

Derek, you are the most consistent person ever. Glad you continue to be happy. Thanks for always sharing your wisdom.

This is brilliant and very practical.

My wife has been adopting our second-hand manufactured home to us and it is becoming uniquely suited. She recently redid the kitchen and the oven is wall-mounted such that she doesn't have to bend to use it. We are both tall and the shelves are high to the point where shorter people have trouble reaching but for us it is perfect. Little things like that!

We also live in nature, next to a creek. We are now ruined for city living.

I needed this. I laughed out loud with the showering naked joke. I'm glad your home makes you happy. Keep enjoying and being yourself. I look forward to your next article.

Hi Derek! This is a-ma-zing XD
It reminds me of a phrase by Brian Eno I think it was.. I don't remember where I read it (maybe on your books!). The concept was something like "Do gardening, not architecture", to be applied when you make art. Nurture, observe and provide a system where your art grows, instead of executing a preestablished plan. I would definitely say you did that with your house!! Also, all these "unusual" desicions.. off-grid, solar, rainwater, several cabins, I love these things. Have you heard of Earthships? I am obsessed with them!

Ah! Nice comparison. Here’s my collection of Brian Eno thoughts: musicthoughts.com/author/2 — Derek

I can relate to the neighbor experience and below statement as i have moved places, changed careers and other life choices that no gets it but me 😉😊:

I love that this home feels wrong for others, and just right for us. (Kind of like my software and other life choices.)

In the process of renovating our condominium here in Sicily.

Condo living is pretty normal in the city, we looked for solo houses a little bit outside of the city but couldnt find anything in our price range.
We decided on the place we are at because of the slight distance from the hustle and bustle.

My wife needs the creature comforts more than I and we find compromise between us. (healthy).

The question always arises “we should put something here or mount that there” and my answer is always, “lets wait until that wall is done or the pipes are re-fitted and see how it feels, then lets decide”.

I recently picked up the book you mentioned earlier this year and have only read a few pages of it since im usually reading 1-3 books at any given time.
Murakami currently (Novelist as a vocation), so surprising to see the reference.

My brother also has lived off grid for many years with no on-site services. Only rain water and solar (except satellite internet). He loved it. He also had a few structures he built from scratch along with his modest one room home. He did add a small water heater and AC unit for living in the middle of Missouri. Heated only by a nice sized wood burning stove in the middle of the house. I always loved staying there for a few days when I visited him.

Wood chopping and culling is a very therapeutic exercise. Burning wood in general for heating and cooking just feels good. It’s hard to control sometimes but rewarding when you figure it all out. And splitting wood - chefs kiss and great form of exercise - not to mention keeping the axes sharp.

Ps, wild boar is delicious if you have ever tried it, with a pepper sauce… amazing. Unless you are Vegan then not so amazing.

Wow! That might be the freedom I've been dreaming of since my teenage years. Yet something seems missing to me. A fully customisable and efficient house feels like it should come with a catch but maybe not... Maybe showing the courage to start to build it IS the catch.

I will think about this for some time. Thank you for answering my email.
BR

This is just reminiscent of First Principles thinking. Most people live by analogy...doing what others are doing. I so much love this principle of living. You do what works for you.

Others might think you're nuts because you didn't follow societal norms. But your custom life design fits snuggly like a glove.

I use the same approach while working on any of my projects (software projects).

Loved it. This is definitely the Sivers way of building something. Start simple and question assumptions. Trying to build a home this way while also making it aesthetically pleasing could be the next level of a challenge.

That’s such a fresh perspective. And I think it’s transferable to so many other aspects of life, too.

While I can’t currently build a house of my own, I practice this perspective through cooking :) — the daily practice of asking questions, experimenting, and learning how the same ingredients can turn into something completely different each time.

I really enjoy that exploratory process: figuring out what has worked before, while also experimenting with ideas of my own and seeing where they lead.

The part about paving where the ground is actually worn is something I wish more urban planning initiatives took seriously. Sure, sidewalks are needed, but there are other walkways besides sidewalks.

In the process of renovating our condominium here in Sicily. Condo living is pretty normal in the city, we looked for solo houses a little bit outside of the city but couldnt find anything in our price range. We decided on the place we are at because of the slight distance from the hustle and bustle. My wife needs the creature comforts more than I and we find compromise between us. (healthy). The question always arises “we should put something here or mount that there” and my answer is always, “lets wait until that wall is done or the pipes are re-fitted and see how it feels, then lets decide”. I recently picked up the book you mentioned earlier this year and have only read a few pages of it since im usually reading 1-3 books at any given time. Murakami currently (Novelist as a vocation), so surprising to see the reference. My brother also has lived off grid for many years with no on-site services. Only rain water and solar (except satellite internet). He loved it. He also had a few structures he built from scratch along with his modest one room home. He did add a small water heater and AC unit for living in the middle of Missouri. Heated only by a nice sized wood burning stove in the middle of the house. I always loved staying there for a few days when i visited him. Wood chopping and culling is a very therapeutic exercise. Burning wood in general for heating and cooking just feels good. its hard to control sometimes but rewarding when you figure it all out. And splitting wood - chefs kiss and great form of exercise - not to mention keeping the axes sharp. Ps, wild boar is delicious if you have ever tried it, with a pepper sauce… amazing. unless you are Vegan then not so amazing.

:-D
I expect the photo
until the last part of your writing :-)

u know, i love your all your story you have just sent to me by email

but this is insane :-)
this is danger, this may change other people think
from normal to not normal :-)

you cool man, I hope someday i can visit your house

Hi Derek,
I find your approach truly inspiring and creative. Going out into nature to discover what you need from scratch—and giving yourself the time it takes to do so!
I also really like the fact that I don't take photos. Your "think different" isn't just an intellectual stance—it's "act different," "find yourself."

I was thinking that the parallel with the way I experience tea somehow aligns with your experiment.
Not letting yourself be distracted by the outside world. Listening to your sensations, through silence and the tea leaves.

A kettle is never far out of reach.
What tea are you drinking ?

Hi Derek
Your emails in my inbox are a gift. Thank you. Just shared this one with my 35 year old son who currently lives with us. Hoping it gives him some ideas. ;-)
Take care,
Janice

As an outdoor loving person, your home really sounds like a dream come true. I fear doing the same in Germany is virtually impossible due to building regulations. However I wonder if some of your choices were influenced by NZs laws as well. I've heard your cabin becomes a more regulated dwelling once you install any plumbing indoors.
While I love your writing, I'd really appreciate photos too in this case. Without doxing yourself of course.

I made the same life experience with minimalism. First I got really good at sorting out all the things I don't really need. It ended with leaving my apartment altogether and storing my few leftovers in a storage box. I went bike packing with just the bare essentials. Turns out I didn't miss much. The thing I missed most was actually a roof over my head. So I rented an apartment again and step by step added only what was really missing.

It's so liberating to know what you really need. It's a feeling I can recommend anyone.

Dear Derek,
I loved this so much! My husband, son and I are doing almost the exact same thing! For 35 years we lived in a single wide trailer. Finally, it deteriorated so badly we tore it down. Our other son had built us a 2 story storage barn 25 years ago, beside the trailer. Each floor is 20x16. We put a bathroom under the stairs and moved in! We are doing what you suggested on so many levels! Right now we are waiting to see where the car mostly goes so we can make that the driveway. Like you said, it is a bit wonky but we love it. We are connecting a room to the existing barn (20x20) and it will be our kitchen, laundry room and living room. We found someone to build us a wood burning fireplace so we think it will heat the whole place. We love your writings about everything! Thanks! (By the way, I am 86, my husband is 80 and our son is 57. Some people think we are crazy!)

Really love this. Sadly I feel like I live the opposite life. I am starting to strip things back and remove things I don’t need.

Love the approach! Very inspiring, makes me want to move out of the city at least part time :-)

Have you added anything that you afterward wished you hadn’t? Have you enjoyed anything for a while and then removed it?
Yes to both. New Zealand has a good market for used goods, so I sell everything I don’t use. — Derek

i think I aspire to something similar but doubt i will be able to execute. im devorced with a sr in college daughter. I have a domestic partner who i spend all day with (she works from home w a little travel) and i'm fairly retired. but maybe instead of going full monty i can incoporate the process..... try w/o then try with simple, then try to design something perfect if needed..... great stuff!

You have a sauna? Makes me proud as a Finn. Cold showers outside? Damn, that's crazy. Sounds like a fun project to be working on. Right now I am without my own home, staying at my friends house in Helsinki. It's really fun to stay with him and we have been discussing work and art. He's also an artist although he doesn't own a laptop right now, but he's quite impressive with pens and paper. Friends are the best.

Sending lots of love from Helsinki to Derek and friends as well as all readers of Derek's site.

Inquiring minds want to know more about this intriguing neighbor.

Delightful. You are so courageous. I grew up in similar surroundings and have been trying to move indoors ever since.

Someday i will explain to my people how an article about a young man and his son live in such an intentionally and evolutionary way inspired me to make life changes (but with pictures .. bc that's who i am :)
Thank you!

thanks for being you..and sharing your unique self with the world.

I have read your book and post over the years and you keep inspiring me!!

Maybe someday I can have a home similar to yours. Sounds lovely.

How do you heat your sauna? Electric?

Joy🌺
electric, yeah. — Derek

Hello Derek,
I get it!! Sounds like heaven. No neighbors. . Other than the wild boar 😳😂. . . Showering under the stars, sauna for the warmth, a mattress, reverse osmosis filter, washer and dryer ( I like to hang sheets, towels etc when it is warm enough, which it may not be where you are), heating the water with a kettle makes sense to me. I love camping, so this is that with the comforts of home that really count!
Thank you for sharing,
Suzanne

Go Derek!! Love your confident and courageous style of life.

Hi Derek
I absolutely love this!
I like to live an intentional life also.
Experience doing tent camping has been helpful to show me what I need.
FYI- you might not need hot water for dish washing. I'm currently living in Costa Rica where there is usually only cold water, except for the shower. The dish detergent here dissolves grease in cold water
Janet

Love the process. My trailer at the beach is not as simple as your setup but the goal was the same. And the process too. It was a getaway at first. Where I stayed with an air mattress and a table. Lots of additions over the years. Slowly. When my girlfriend moved here lots of things got upgraded. And now it’s comfortable for her as well.
New Zealand is my on my list. Maybe I’ll see you one day

This was a really enjoyable read. I've heard this mindset applied in other things but never in a living space. It reminds me of the journey one has when starting backpacking, but reversed. You start off thinking you'll need all this stuff which weighs about 35 pounds and after each trip you always end with "I need to drop more weight" or "I didn't use X at all". After a while you come to refined set of items that truly outlines what you need to live, and what you really enjoy since every gram counts.
Yes! Backpacking is a great comparison. Thank you. I’m old enough that I’ve felt the pain of storing and maintaining too many things, so every *thing* counts. — Derek

You are BRAVE! Sounds like an amazing adventure that my wife of 38 years would NOT go on with me!!

Because I love the resonance of synchronicity...next week's lesson in the program I host for people struggling with addiction is entitled, "The Perfect Home." I know that I never know what will be the thing that helps someone go one more day without their go-to-stuff, so Derek, you've given me another awesome link/example they can check out, in which one's ongoing relationship with home can be a practice for life. Synchronicities rock! Blessings

Now at 82 and 92 respectively, we wish had read this 40 years ago!!!!!! You are amazing and wonderful. So glad to know you. Even if it is only through CDBaby and books.....................

Hi
love this... I remember your story form a couple years back as I lived in Wellington for many years and by wife is from NZ . We have some land in Kangaroo Valley yes funnily enough its in Australia. Have a modular cabin we are popping it on soon...but the idea of building more cabins or a big shed and figure out the interiors would be fun. Though I think we might have a few more comforts! Thanks for the inspiration.
cheers,
Alan

As a Scrum Master, this reminded me of working agile!! It is the same thing. I can use your story to clarify what agile delivery means to an audience that is not so familiar with it. Thanks for the inspiration!

That is truly inspiring. One thing most people hate about camping is the inconvenience of having to leave your tent or cabin at night if nature calls. But
that's one of the things I like best about it. Peeing outside while watching the Milky Way is the quintessential New Zealand experience!
Yes! Totally agree. — Derek

This really connected with me because I’m currently trying to figure out what “freedom” means for my own life.

My instinct has been to plan it: Where should I live? How much money do I need? What kind of work should I build? What would my ideal life look like?

But right now I’m experimenting with different ways of living and working, and reality keeps teaching me things I couldn’t have predicted from home.

So the idea of building your house by first living in it and discovering a need before designing a solution, made me wonder if I could approach my life the same way.

Instead of designing my “perfect life” in advance, live more experiments. Pay attention to what gives me energy, what I miss, what I don’t actually need, and what kind of freedom matters to me.

Then build around the worn paths.

I really like that idea.

Inspiration.
I’m feeling into how to map yout metaphor into each aspect of my life.

You are BRAVE! Sounds like an amazing adventure that my wife of 38 years would NOT go on with me!!

As usual highly inspirational.

Derek,

Another fascinating entry -- thanks for sharing!

Two questions:

1) I couldn't help but notice your use of the word "want" in regard to the sauna. (And I get it. I love a sauna, too!)

I'm curious how you identify and pursue "wants" in in a system that's heavily focused on "need."

2) I suspect an isolated location is a feature, not a bug (and frankly, more convenient for carrying out the experiment!), but if more social interaction or increased access to services, goods, etc. became a need (or a want worth pursuing), would you consider packing up or replicating your structures in a location that provided those things?

Interesting,

I enjoyed this read, as usual with your writing style. It aligns closely with how you've lived your life. In order to lead an unconventional life, you'll have to do things others aren't. Of course, the same goes for housing.

A bit of pushback. I'm not sure how all predictions are wrong. This must have been covered in one of your books, but can you explain that? If someone makes a prediction and it's correct, how can that be wrong?

At any point in this process, has there been an instance where you would agree that making some assumptions or planning ahead of time to some degree would have provided a better result or perhaps cost less? i.e., Putting something in place only to have to tear it down in replacement of something else. That could have been foreshadowed.

Thanks for sharing all of this!

Good for you Derek!!!
Your story inspires me.
Thanks for sharing :)

I refer you to Dr. roger Barker who was a ecological psychologist out of Stanford working at the University of Kansas in the 50s, 60s, 70s… I remember one of his studies was leaving a park without sidewalks for a period of time and then building sidewalks and pathways based on where people walked…

Love your philosophy. Not sure I could cope with the cold in your area, but have admired similar in warmer climate zones. Think your philosophy and chosen build woukd be much healthier than the modern build. I'm in coastal Sydney & owner built home. I have a background in landscape design & love the method.

First of all, congratulations! It's one thing to be happy in the home that you're in, but to also be happy in that home because you've made it and can continue to customise it seems to be at another level! Your piece took me down a bit of a rabbit hole. I researched to see if there were any companies that have tried to create/market this idea at scale.

(TLDR: not really — but there's a very cool 90s building in Osaka that tried, and the reason it hasn't spread is money, not engineering.)

So, there is a project called Next21 by Osaka Gas (yes, a gas company) in the 90s (there's a nice subtitled 30 minute YT documentary on it: youtu.be/YBCPET4hIR4?si=-l2XrfX2c4cm7CFj and a case study page here: www.councilonopenbuilding.org/projects/next21).

In it they build a sustainable/durable multi-unit building applying a few principles. One is called "two-step supply" based on a traditional Osaka landlord/tenant practice where landlords built and leased only the structure/shell while tenants fitted out the interior themselves. They also went to the Netherlands and met Habraken (who Stewart Brand references) himself, and looked at some Dutch Open Building projects before finalizing the Next21 design.

What they ended up with is experimental but seems to align with your principles: the building was designed to be renovated at a component level: Scaffold holes allows for scaffolding to be put up only around the renovated unit as opposed to the whole building. Flexible piping allowed for utilities (electricity, water, etc.) to be upgraded or reconfigured to different areas. The wall system allowed them to reconfigure the shape of the spaces themselves. Residents were also involved in the process, several rounds of interviews were done before any renovation was started.

So the idea wasn't to just build a cool place, but to see how successful these renovations would be. From what I've watched/read at least 4 different units have done renovations, with one renovated more than once (30 years apart).

From what it looks like, to do this at scale, the engineering aspect of this isn't the hard part. It seems to be a mismatch between who pays for this kind of durability/adaptability and who gets the benefit. As an individual working on your own house, you're obviously the beneficiary of both.

In Japan, scaling Next21 could be cool, as building landlords commonly build and hold an entire building for the long term. Unfortunately, demolishing and rebuilding is faster and cheaper than maintaining durability. Also, the tax system depreciates a building's value on a schedule regardless of its actual condition. When it comes to financing, a bank would see a well-maintained building at the same value as a run down one of the same age.

In Australia where I live, this could be a good opportunity, as renovations are generally expensive and slow, and no one has yet incorporated the idea of homes/units being adaptable in this way. Interestingly, the Australian property group Dexus, who focus primarily on commercial property, completed a project called "Forever Fitout" which enables building infills to be disassembled and changed rather than demolished. This comes from the need for companies to disclose their climate impacts via ESG. Makes me wonder if this would move into the residential housing sector (it could start/focus on apartments/multi-unit dwellings before freestanding homes).

IKEA could move into this space, as they market what they sell, from wardrobes to kitchens to storage, as being able to "adapt to life changes." However their current housing venture BoKlok primarily focuses on affordability, not adaptability (still a good problem to solve).

Back to Japan, MUJI created a housing line which is designed to be adaptable across life stages. The frame is set up so none of the interior walls bear any loads and can be reconfigured without impacting the structure. Not sure about the services/utilities layer. If not, it would be interesting to see if that emerges. At the moment though, you can only get the MUJI House in Japan.

Happy living/adapting!

This is serendipitous.
Having recently purchased a bush block with a dwelling entitlement, my intention is to self build. Given the sensitivity of the surrounding area there are stringent council requirements to be met before breaking ground.
You have inspired me to simplify further, plan for the bare bones and build on it from there.
I'm glad for the lack of photos.
I'll not send you any when my project is done either :)
Thank you.

The set-up sounds fascinating! And I love the commitment to the philosophy, even if - personally - it's a bit extreme for me. But I like the idea of going back to the first principles and ask - "roof - why?". Opens up possibilities.

In fact, the entire approach reminds me of how products get built. Feature asks, requirement specs, the whole literature around solutions vs problems.

I've never built a house myself (or even with contractors; restricted to remodels so far) despite dreaming about it every other month. I think I would love to give the philosophy a try; after all, that resonates with how I _purchase / acquire_ things. But somehow, my dreams about a house so far revolves around 'looks' and 'feels' than needs - gotta have abundant sunlight / ventilation / nature. I'm guessing I'll definitely keep the walls and roofs too :D

Just yesterday - I was in a rabbit hole about different architecture styles and found myself dreaming up designs for ideal house on a small plot in an urban area like Bangalore. AI did a decent job of some renders.

Derek, your post has already changed my life, my trajectory. I have known for a while there comes a time to buy a piece of land, but as from today I finally look forward to it!

Thank you Derek for putting this out. I am going through this precise process at a micro scale with a new standing desk. I had imagined the desk to come with all sorts of complementing organising gadgets. Instead, I let it happen organically, starting with an empty desk. This comes semi-intuitive to me and I am happy to be reading this to confirm such bias. Appreciate your words of wisdom as always.

Coming from someone who lives in countryside, really like your setup. Especially the purposefully designated spaces for different functions, I've employed a lot of that in my own house too, reading space, workout space etc..
But that 4-module setup forcing you to step into daylight is a cool idea. I have a well for water but collecting rainwater is some next level stuff! Props for that.

Hey Derek,

At the start of the article, you talk about letting need define what you build. Later, when talking about the sauna, you let the word "want" slip in.

As part of my journey (partly inspired by the fact I am close with someone who sells superyachts), I've reflected a lot in recent years on the subject of want vs. need. Want, in my current opinion, is a far, far more powerful driver of behaviour than need, even in poor people.

Clearly, nobody ever needs a superyacht, yet you'd really struggle to find a house (or anything else), no matter how exuberant, that even comes close to the entry price of a superyacht. And that's before running costs. Equally, great products that make life way easier fail all the time for lack of sales, while the same people who don't buy them might bend over backwards, drive for hours and wait for hours more, to get recreational drugs. In my life, the decisions I have made based on want have always turned out way better than those based on need.

So, my question to you is how do you think about the difference between want and need? And have you thought about your decisions as expressions of what you really and truly "want" rather than what you really and truly "need", which humanity has proven throughout its history is incredibly little.
The move from “need” to “want” was very intentional. I don’t need any of this. I could live in a tent. But for the life I want, I need a roof, a computer, heating, etc. And I could live in this cold, dark, wet valley without a sauna, but it would be much harder on my mental health. So for me that’s on the line between want and need, which is why I introduced that word where I did. ☺ — Derek

Congratulations - love that are doing what suits you and your son.
So good to be different!
Love your story, thank you for sharing
Avril

Can we have Part 2?😊

Wow! What a lot of interesting comments! And of course spurred on by a fun and thought-provoking article. Thanks Derek! I didn’t see any link to the BBC series Brand did based on his book, so here you go (from his website): www.youtube.com/user/brandst/videos

Favorite piece!!! Simply a fantastic way to build. A “must do” for my future.

"All buildings are predictions. All predictions are wrong."

This is more terrific advice. If I could just keep to this one thought, it might prevent me from succumbing to what is probably my greatest shortcoming—building castles in the air . . . and actually never getting 'round to producing anything real.

I cannot tell you how frequently I get a grand idea that depends on my obtaining some new collection of arcane technology. I spend months and even years on the project of getting said tools, only to find out at the end, my tastes and goals have changed in the meantime, or perhaps that those things didn't really meet my expectations, or the tech won't work together as imagined.

I build whole systems in my head and expend money and effort acquiring stuff for a concept I've built up in my head, that I wind up not even using in the end. If I could just stay with something simple, pursue interests as they develop, and acquire each piece one at a time . . . as needed (if needed), then at the end, there might be something to show for it.

I spend time planning and dreaming, and not doing.

I love this idea very much, and the simplicity behind it and the profound wisdom. We don't try to do nothing or do less enough, before we start doing more

Pretty cool. Thank You.

Amen to knowing where the sun comes up and where the winds blow before you decide to live there.

Where I live canyon/ocean views and granite countertops, and patio firepits mean you have arrived. Social pressure is high.

We have old friends from Taiwan here who still manage to live extremely simply in Orange County, CA. Their ability to resist the home improvement urge gives me the strength to keep my old kitchen formica counter tops and 1950s oven.

Having a women in the mix though does mean she gets her convivences. So though bathroom is still 1950s it has some nice touches, and no stars.

I wrote this recently:

One of the foundational movements of an explorer is to continually soften their own boundaries: to make oneself smaller and the outside world larger, absorbing all kinds of information, inhabiting different roles, learning and using foreign languages and cultural codes, and trying to integrate.

The movement and logic of a builder, by contrast, is to establish boundaries: to assert one’s identity, preferences, and orientation, to draw clear lines, to center oneself, and to create one’s own language.

1. How are the pet rats enjoying the new living arrangements?
2. Although the house is interesting, the idea that I couldn’t quit thinking about from your conversation with Tim was in regards to improving the quality of language translation of literature. Did anything ever come of it?

I find this fascinating. We lived in a small camper van for a year starting with almost nothing and only adding things when we realized what we really needed. It was a very satisfying process and keeping nothing more than we needed…so the idea of doing it for a home is intriguing. I’n going to be thinking about this a lot as we take of traveling again…no van this time but probably lots of stops where things are not where I’d like them!

This is one of the craziest blog posts I have read in a long time. Thank you. It is crazy because you are doing something today's risk-adverse person would never consider. It reminded me so much of the Laura Ingles Wilder Little House on the Prairie novels. This is what her dad would do when compelled to move to a new location: build the most basic sod shelter, then add on as needed. The ultimate in KISS, DIY, and Self Sufficiency. It is also a great lesson in contentment (the world so much wants to squeeze us into its mold). I love the fact that you just don't care what other people think. I shared it with my three daughters who hold these same values.

I really love your occasional posts. I love reading the articles and like the slightly analogue feel to your digital presence. Thank you!

Loved it.

Would you consider taking pictures, or if a strike of boldness hit, making a video showing the place? Not for you, but for us. I can say for myself even though you don't care how it looks, it's fun to put a picture of it in our minds. I also don't care how it looks, if it's beautiful or ugly, but seeing it makes a difference, a lot of what is "obvious" to you who lives there and has seen it many times maybe isn't for me reading about. But of course, no pressure, just a kind request :D

I'm considering living a van/motorhome for a while, and there are many learnings to try there. As always, thanks for sharing!

So much fun to read and it sounds so liberating.

My mind immediately goes to: How can I reverse that process? How can I turn my flat, which feels too full of things I do not really need, into a place that has only the things I really do need.

I think I might try to empty it all in my imagination and then spend time asking deeply what I really need and want here.

Very inspiring!

Hi Derek,

I enjoyed hearing about your house on Tim's podcast, and now reading about it thanks to Tim's 5-Bullet Friday newsletter. Your thinking about things always gets me to wanna think more.

As to your books, which would you recommend to start with?

How did you go full minamilst? Did you get rid of everything and start to build up again as you needed things? Any tips here... it is tough getting rid of things.

Take care,
Dwayne


Start with USEFUL NOT TRUE - sive.rs/u - and I think most minimalism starts with feeling the pain of having too much. — Derek

Really love this - what a great way to connect to the land and nature, and how refreshing in this age of ultra consumption! Really interested in how your journey progresses…

brillant ,yes if u can and have the most valuable of resources (TIME)
thats the way to go to design a house (I was a builder in a previous life )
now sailing around in a total sustainable boat ,solar panels,watermaker ,starlink etc ,etc looking for a place on earth to call home and start the building fun
well done Derek an example of self guidance

I love this. And New Zealand is the perfect place to do this experiment. I lived there for just under a year and I feel like so many of the kiwi's I met have this type of mentality. I'm surprised your neighbor was challenged by it.

I lived in a box in a conscious community north of Auckland and a backpacker van when I was there. I quickly learned what was necessary and what I could live without with space constraints. Refrigeration was a necessity you didn't mention.

I love the separation of spaces. That is one area I struggled while there. Almost everything was in one place. I only needed to leave for the bathroom, (which was under a house 100 meters away and super primitive in the Community). I could essentially cook in my van and box, although using a full kitchen was so much easier.

You mention a storage building. Which means you are gathering things. I look around and wonder about books, and what nots that are needed sporadically.

Lastly- the esthetics, I think men are more able to accept a basic build, where women prefer to feel cozy. I would want to cover the conduit and pipes and make it look pretty and inviting.

I find this fascinating. We lived in a small camper van for a year starting with almost nothing and only adding things when we realized what we really needed. It was a very satisfying process and keeping nothing more than we needed…so the idea of doing it for a home is intriguing. I’n going to be thinking about this a lot as we take of traveling again…no van this time but probably lots of stops where things are not where I’d like them!

You inspire me. Thank you!
I have alwasy tough about this; now I feel better knowing someone else adds a bit of spice to life too.
I would find it appealing to keep reading the updates on the house; not to put any pressure, off the grid means off the grid.
I am deeply curious what quick you off, what was the spark? How did you not let the need for progress or wealth keep you away from fun ideas like these?

I love that you almost never take pictures of anything. :-)

Was hoping there'd be an update!
What made you decide to site your house where you did?
It’s the only open flat area. — Derek

Your article, Derek, bears a resemblance to the philosophical concept of ‘the harmony between Heaven and Man’ （天人合一）advocated by the ancient Chinese sages.

I imagine your experiences in various cities across China must have provided you with a unique cultural shock and some extraordinary experiences.

Yup, nothing wrong with living by testing.

I tested out minimalism for myself, moving into a very small cabin.
I found that while library books have sterile plastic covers, I truly adored "nostalgia" books from the "used books" store.
Anti-minimalism meant that one bookshelf became several: always at waist height, so I could put up a few pictures.

With due respect for posters and mounted pictures, which were handy for carrying to give a toastmasters lecture on art, I ended up with quality framed paintings, one of which took me many seasons to pay for, as I enjoyed visiting the gallery.
Again, anti-minimalism meant I ended up moving to a new home, partly to have more wall space.
Also because I swapped places with my tenant, when she had trouble paying rent. I left all my picture nails in place for her, which she used for stringing fairy lights, not pictures.

I found I was too impatient for music or CBC radio lectures, (except in my car) even when I am multitasking, so my new radio/CD player gathers dust. That's fine, because I very much enjoy, and prefer, ambient music at home. From my laptop.

Anti-minimalism means I will soon put some walk-on art, of canvas from an art store, back onto my floor.

I'm glad I reality tested, but I have found that minimalism, so beloved by others, is not for me.

Thank you for sharing this and I think it is great that you are creating this experience for you son, where he can learn what he really needs and wants. Feel free to check out my site jamesgamage.com where I operate to support those wanting to live off grid in communities, teach them about decentralised technologies and also look at how they can share their experiences and connect them with the things they need to live a more sovereign life of responsibility and freedom. 🙏💚✨

Derek,
A fascinating and poignant perspective...I appreciate the rawness of your experience and the progression to a point where you are minimal but necessary in nature. With a 100 year old home and 2 x 4yo twins, our house is filled and in need of downsizing internally. We live on 1/2 acre in our city so we have all the nature we need and want, but this is a great blueprint and roadmap to what is possible and really truly livable in life. Thank you for your insight and refreshing perspective!

Great read. You should visit Falling Water in PA, in person. Frank Loyd Wright found a great way to bring the outdoors, inside, and created a brilliant mashup of the two. I also wonder how much the user creates their own path, versus the user following the path given to them. Steve Jobs always said that people don't really know what they want.

My Dad built two houses before he died and I've had a hankering to do similar. We also love small living with our dogs and don't want much space. More space equals more ongoing upkeep a lot of the time. I'm curious how cold it gets in NZ. The house sounds incredible!!!!! Nice work, well done for suiting yourself not society.
Wellington NZ where I’m at gets to 0°C at the lowest overnight, and 25°C at the highest. Usually between 10°C to 20°C. It’s also the windiest city in the world. I love it. — Derek

I finally got a round to reading your article and found it most intriging as to why a man who could afford anything would want to go back to basics. Is it because you are fed up with living a luxurious life and getting bored and spoilt? or is it that man has gotten lazy and forgetting how to think logically? and realising that your needs are few. Is it a lesson for your boy to show him that he can have the simple things in life being independent and proudly depending on his own requirements and that he can change his habbits for an easier life if he so wished?

Thanks for sharing, Derek.

Were any of your choices constrained by state regulation?
Many, but no point in listing them all. — Derek

Hi Derek: this resonates deeply.

It reminded me of something I increasingly try to practice:

The “how” must not be chased.

Get the why and what super clear. Make them non-negotiable. Then interact with reality and let the how emerge.

We often do the opposite. We predict the how, build an elaborate plan around our prediction, and then become attached to making reality fit the plan.

Your house is a beautiful example of reversing this.

You knew what mattered. A place for you and your son that fits how you actually want to live.

Everything else could be discovered.

There is another connection for me. In July, I wrote about “being dyed less”:

utpalmv.com/being-dyed-less/

The idea came from Patanjali. Keep caring completely. Keep acting. But become less colored by the result.

Reading your story made me see another dimension of it: perhaps we can be dyed not only by results, but also by our predictions.

Once I predict how something will turn out, I can start building toward that prediction instead of responding to reality.

Maybe the opposite of prediction isn’t having no direction.

It is having a strong direction, acting fully, and remaining weakly attached to both the path and the outcome.

Bro I FUCKING LOVE THIS! I've been learning Spanish and living out of a backpack for the past 7 months, and the more shit I get rid of the easier it is to travel and the more I realize that I never needed the junk in the first place. Love this minimal "get rid of everything and bring it back if it's actually needed" approach. Keep being a freak, love how the neighbor was appalled at how y'all are living.