Building Off the Grid

Matteo Lundgren is taking the art of natural building to a whole new level with his custom-designed Cob houses that blend with the environment surrounding them. Together with his designer, Peaches, they're creating homes built solely from the earth's ingredients, and he wants the whole world to do the same. Follow along as they hand-sculpt houses that are literally grown from the ground up.

A creative mountain biking group from Carbondale, Colorado builds a unique mountain retreat that doubles as their very own bike park feature. Dedicated to building off the grid, the team of entrepreneurs and artists haul in their materials across rugged terrain by bicycles and excavate by hand for a truly one-of-a-kind build experience.

Ana and Jacob White and their two small kids are a modern-day Swiss Family Robinson, building an off-the-grid cabin on the Alaska Range. With all of their materials needing to be transported by snowmobile, this adventurous couple will have their work cut out for them as they create an entire home with no utilities available. And with the unpredictable Alaskan weather, not to mention aggressive wildlife, this family will be racing against the seasonal clock to get the cabin done before the dead of winter.

Chris and Catelyn Williams are building the home of their dreams, a 30-foot tall, 700 square-foot, off-grid yurt in Montana, complete with a breathtaking view of the mountains. And with solar power, its own stream, hot running water, a modern kitchen, all-weather insulation, a second floor loft, and even a guest room for friends and family, this definitely isn't your grandfather's yurt. Follow this young couple as they prep their own land and break ground to build their ultimate luxury yurt in the woods.

Alaskan builder Jeff Ward, has been building houses in remote locations all over Alaska for years. Now his son Bryce, who is also the current mayor of the North Pole, is lending a hand as they combine their talents to create an off-the-grid cabin not too far from Santa's house.

The Perrins brothers are building an extremely remote log hunting cabin in the heart of the Alaskan Range. Steve Perrins II, a native Alaskan, is heading up the build. He will lead his team, which consists of his four younger brothers and his wife, 13 miles on horseback into the deep wilderness of Sheep Lake where they have just two weeks to construct an entire single-story cabin. The build process will include the use of archaic tools, materials, and pioneering techniques throughout. In addition to their tight deadline, unpredictable weather, encroaching wildlife and the daily adventures of building in remote Alaskan will challenge their every will and wit.

What do you do if you don't trust the world around you? You build a new one. That's the motto of Michael Reynolds, Architect and visionary that created the Earthship. Earthships are houses that are completely self-sufficient and totally off the grid with no electricity or water bills - ever. Michael Reynolds and his team of builders along with 50 interns, who have given up their lives to be part of this project, have just four weeks to build a house in Big Sky, Montana for Earthship enthusiast Jeff Saad. Michael and his crew battle nature and time to try and complete this amazing house.

The Lighthiser family sets out to build their dream home overlooking the Yellowstone River. Follow their journey as the activists and adventurers battle the elements to construct an uber-efficient house in a windswept valley in southwestern Montana. Surrounded by stunning views and with a little help from friends, they'll build it all by hand and completely off the grid.

Joe Donovan, an avid skier and adventurer, has found the perfect spot for his permanent base camp on a remote ridge in southwest Montana. Follow the adventure as he battles the elements to build his rustic, straw bale dream cabin. Surrounded by stunning views and with a little help from friends, he'll build it all by hand and completely off the grid.

Jason and Crystal always wanted an escape in the middle of Maine's secluded coastline for their family to unplug and enjoy nature. With the help of a small group of friends, they set their sights on building a 320-square-foot cabin in just 12 days. Between the weather, rough terrain and limited access, it's a challenging and exhausting road to the finish line. Their hard work pays off when they can relax in their dream cabin complete with a loft, solar shower, water catchment system and custom touches.

The Busbys, young entrepreneurs and world travelers, have been living off-the-grid for two years already, but now they're ready to take it to the next level. Follow the adventure as they build a super efficient tiny house in northwestern Montana. Surrounded by stunning views and with a little help from friends, they'll build it all by hand completely off-the-grid.

After getting engaged, Summer and Jack move away from New Jersey to fulfill their life-long dream of living off-grid; they buy a plot of land in Sedro Woolley, Wash., and commission Sunray Kelley to design and build their dream mud home.

Alaskan adventure guide Don Lee is building a remote survival cabin on top of a glacier where no man has stepped before. But in an area plagued with avalanches and unpredictable weather, this fearless bushman needs to time his construction perfectly. And when you're building in an untouched area only accessible by air, logistics are just the tip of the iceberg.

A couple builds an earthen home in a remote canyon in Montana.

A young couple is leaving their Air Force to build a log cabin together and start a new life in the last frontier of Alaska. With only three weeks to make it ready before the winter, they’ll need all the family, friends and determination they can muster to get it done. Follow their journey as they endure the elements and long northern days to handcraft their new home from the ground up and completely off the grid.

After witnessing the demise of Casco Bay's Halfway Rock Lighthouse, history-lover and Maine native Ford Reiche now has the chance to return this American icon to its former glory. It will take barges full of scaffolding, brave masons and the cooperation of Mother Nature to pull it off, but there's nothing worth doing 'halfway' when it comes to Halfway Rock!

With help from a team of friends, an avid outdoorsman takes on the challenge of building a cabin in the remote White Mountains region of Alaska. The crew must work through snow, wind and a whole lot of mud to haul materials and build the perfect cabin in just seven days.

Deep in the backwoods of Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota's premier off-grid builder Jared Capp sets out to turn four shipping containers into a stunning two-story mountain hideaway. The five bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms property will have a well for water, a living roof, solar panels and other high-end amenities. Getting the containers to the remote location will be challenging, however, and will require Jared to cut a road through the forest first.

A snowmobile guide and his wife build an off-the-grid cabin by the rivers and mountain ranges of their beautiful home state of Wyoming. The build includes a 272-square-foot cabin with a small shop and garage that are all constructed with zero fossil fuels, meaning no gas generators or grid power will be used and all of the heavy lifting will have to be done by hand. The team faces many challenges, including snowdrifts and visits from four-legged neighbors, but the five-week project will prove to be just as grand as the scenery that surrounds it.

A realtor and his three children set out to build their dream home together on a wooded ridge top in the Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma. But they aren't building a conventional house. They plan to convert three shipping containers into an off-grid paradise. Follow the journey as they navigate the hardships of their remote setting and unorthodox construction project. Surrounded by stunning views and with a little help from friends, they'll build it all by hand completely off the grid.

Off-the-grid contractor Gregg Smith battles the elements to build a cliffside retreat for a family wanting to reconnect in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. But for Gregg and his team, erecting this functional build in the middle of nowhere comes with its fair share of challenges. Will the harsh weather and terrain push Gregg and his team to the limits?

John Beal is ready to leave the city behind and embrace a life off the grid in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. He hires Richart Sowa and his son Eden to build an eco-friendly private floating island made from recycled plastic bottles. Despite facing many challenges, Richart, Eden and the crew work to make John's dream a reality.

A young cabin builder creates a one-of-a-kind cabin in upstate New York during the harsh winter months. Because of the new and complicated design, the crew must adapt to the environment, work efficiently and leave no room for mistakes. The end result is the ultimate off-the-grid cathedral in the Catskills.

Like a house plucked from a fairytale, this off-grid home is unlike anything you've ever seen before.

In the coastal forests of western Oregon, one woman is building her dream home completely out of mud. The results? Something truly one-of-a-kind.

Specialty builders Jon and Amanda D’Aleo design and build “earth-sheltered” homes for clients in southern Colorado, but they weren’t expecting a project this far off the grid. They’ll have to work overtime to get a house constructed and buried before the Colorado winter hits.

Beth wants a beach getaway on the white sandy beaches of Ambergris Caye, Belize. Construction manager Ken Grissom has experience building in the Caribbean and is just the man for the job. Ken and his crew transport tons of building materials to the remote island and attempt the impossible task of constructing an off-the-grid luxury getaway with the warm Caribbean water just steps away.

A family is determined to build an off-the-grid cabin along Idaho's Salmon River; the family members take on Class 5 rapids to portage out materials, and they must race to complete their cabin before low tide hits and they can't return home.

The Walker family takes on a multi-generational construction project rebuilding their 100-year-old mining cabin in the Colorado wilderness; they're a family of engineers who are game for any challenges that will face them in the months ahead.

A creative family builds a three-story tiny house full of clever features on the easternmost property in the US. But with limited experience and a three-month deadline, they’ll need the help of a few local Mainers to get it done. Follow their journey in the stunning North Atlantic as they handcraft their new off-grid home from the ground up.

New York newlyweds escape the city to build their first home upstate in a secluded part of the Hudson Valley. Utilizing timber felled from their own property, they plan to craft their own tiny house completely off the grid, but the persistent weather, demanding pace and unexpected setbacks threaten to derail their honeymoon project.

A Colorado couple attempts to build one of the most energy-efficient homesteads in the state. Mother Nature and bleeding edge technologies give them a run for their money as they race to complete their high-end alpine lodge before winter hits.

Adventure seeker Joey Caiafa sets out to build a mountaintop hideout outside of Leadville, Colorado. He enlists the help of his friends and an architectural designer to trick out the solar-powered space, but missed deadlines, brutal weather and multiple injuries could bring the build to a halt.

A creative family builds a custom home where the mountains and desert collide in Colorado’s last frontier. The dream project quickly turns into a job when the harsh terrain combines with the demanding pace they’ve set for themselves.

Beau Dunavant bought a piece of land in Tres Piedras, New Mexico, as a gift for his girlfriend, Samantha Inman, where they can build a home made of mostly recycled materials and dirt. They plan to construct a modest, self-sufficient structure, but with blowing dirt, blistering sun and freezing temperatures, they may have underestimated the power of the desert.

A couple builds their off-grid dream home on a remote mountaintop overlooking the Southwest Montana backcountry. Together they’ve dreamed up a mountain base camp that’s high tech and suits their outdoor lifestyle, but in this far-flung location where mother nature rules, they will be pushed to the edge and beyond.

Laura Williams is on a mission to build an off-the-grid home in the desert outside of Tucson, Arizona. Together with a group of volunteers, she’ll build an earthen three-dome home completely by hand. The team battles a steep learning curve and Mother Nature in a race to finish before the scorching Arizona summer arrives.

Kolin Buzerak returns to his family's 100-acre property in Upstate New York to put down some roots; he plans to build an off-grid timber frame cabin with a full kitchen, living space, dining area, and open loft bedroom.

A couple builds a rainforest retreat within the edge of an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island.

A couple races to finish a modern, off-grid lodge overlooking the south shores of Lake Superior.

An eco-friendly couple plans to build a timber frame, straw-bale cabin in a heavily wooded forest of Maine. But when winter comes early, the already difficult build nears impossible as single-digit temperatures threaten to end the dream before it even starts.

A nature-loving architect builds a modern California cabin that rivals the views of nearby Big Sur.

In Ohio, two brothers build a high-end, off-grid vacation home on their family's cattle ranch.

A husband surprises his wife with a vacation home built on a rock quarry.

A family builds a forever home on 46 acres overlooking the Smoky Mountains.

Two outdoorsmen build an off-the-grid hunting cabin in southern Colorado.

A young man builds an off-the-grid home on family land in rural Illinois.

A young couple sets out to create their dream treehouse in Northern GA.

A family builds an off-the-grid farmhouse in the Wisconsin countryside.

A family building a dovetail log cabin races to beat the elements.

Cat Taylor uses her artistic and naturalistic background to construct a remote sanctuary for her and her husband in the woods of Northwest Texas. The two-story home uses a mixture of sand, clay and straw with a touch of comfort to entertain family.

A Texas family builds an oceanfront oasis on the majestic slopes of Maui, Hawaii. The Quonset hut they've chosen to go with will keep the budget low but a number of unexpected setbacks will push the hardworking family to their limits.

Professional treehouse builder Michael "Murph" Murphy wants to build a cottage retreat for his family in Washington. He enlists his friends to create a natural siding and a massive fishing net for lounging above the living space.

First-time builders Shay and Shae set out to build a home using five shipping containers on a wooded lot in Oklahoma. They hope his background in electrical and welding, and their collection of building materials, helps them finish the job quickly.

Marine scientists in Florida hire engineers Nicolas Derouin and Arnaud Luguet to create a first-of-its-kind floating home. They have nine months to complete it, but unpredictable weather and building hiccups may sink this project before it can swim.

A family builds thousands of earth blocks while withstanding winter monsoons, freezing temperatures and more to finish their San Antonio forever home.

Bamboo-home architect David Sands seizes the opportunity to build his own getaway in Hawaii that features a luxurious outdoor bath area and detached, starlit master bedroom. However, volcanic eruptions threaten to send the entire project up in smoke.

A mother-and-son team pulls up stake from the crowded confines of Orange County to build an off-grid family commune outside Keaau, Hawaii. With the help of skilled aircrete instructor, the duo overcomes a learning curve to make a dream come true.

A father-son duo builds an off-grid home in Montana's Flathead Valley. The 720-square-foot stick-frame home takes advantage of the mountain winds using a wind-turbine generator for power and features plenty of upcycled materials from the surrounding area.

Peter and Ashley Jensen build a sustainable straw bale panel house in the Hudson Valley -- the first of its kind in the States. With only three months to work, the race against nature is as they attempt to finish before the East Coast winter sets in.

A group of off-grid-living enthusiasts come together to build a 300-square-foot bungalow. With a variety of eco-friendly features, including a solar-powered water pump, this house is a welcome addition to the environmentally friendly community.

An adventurous couple builds a home with self-sustaining features near the Ozark National Forest. And while they both have renovation experience, building on the dangerous mountainside terrain in a location plagued by flash foods will be a challenge.

A couple constructs an upcycled off-grid homestead deep in the sprawling South Carolina islands; plans for the catamaran-style home include a luxury yacht aesthetic, but the couple must build during hurricane season to meet their deadline.

Novice builder Danny Clark attempts to construct a 600-square-foot stone cabin in Vermont’s White River Valley; the home is sure to be a true work of art, but his inexperience, the harsh winter and the unusual architecture push him to his limits.

A family attempts to build a 400-square-foot cabin situated on a small island in Northern Idaho; access to the property is limited, and rough waters make it difficult to bring materials in; it's a race to the finish as winter hits the island early.

Mark Smith builds an off-grid modular home perched high on a cliff off the coast of Vancouver, Canada; the pressure is on as even the smallest mistake can result in the home tumbling 85 feet down into the ocean.

Montana for Earthship enthusiast Jeff Saad. Michael and his crew battle nature and time to try and complete this amazing house on Building Off the Grid.

A mother-and-son team pulls up stakes in Orange County, Calif., to build an off-grid family commune outside Keaau, Hawaii; with the help of a skilled AirCrete instructor, the duo overcomes a learning curve to make their dreams come true.

A father-son duo builds an off-grid home in Montana's Flathead Valley. The 720-square-foot stick-frame home takes advantage of the mountain winds using a wind-turbine generator for power and features plenty of upcycled materials from the surrounding area.

A Montana carpenter has big plans to build a unique pontoon houseboat so he can live on Flathead Lake year-round. As both a builder and artist, he has the skills to turn his vision into a reality but an early winter threatens the whole project.

Peter and Ashley Jensen build a sustainable straw bale panel house in the Hudson Valley -- the first of its kind in the States. With only three months to work, the race against nature is as they attempt to finish before the East Coast winter sets in.

A group of off-grid-living enthusiasts come together to build a 300-square-foot bungalow. With a variety of eco-friendly features, including a solar-powered water pump, this house is a welcome addition to the environmentally friendly community.

An adventurous couple builds a home with self-sustaining features near the Ozark National Forest. And while they both have renovation experience, building on the dangerous mountainside terrain in a location plagued by flash foods will be a challenge.

A couple constructs an upcycled off-grid homestead deep in the sprawling South Carolina islands; plans for the catamaran-style home include a luxury yacht aesthetic, but the couple must build during hurricane season to meet their deadline.

« Previous Ep. Next Ep. » Novice builder Danny Clark attempts to construct a 600-square-foot stone cabin in Vermont's White River Valley; the home is sure to be a true work of art, but his inexperience, the harsh winter and the unusual architecture push him to his limits.

Mark Smith builds an off-grid modular home perched high on a cliff off the coast of Vancouver, Canada; the pressure is on as even the smallest mistake can result in the home tumbling 85 feet down into the ocean.

A family attempts to build a 400-square-foot cabin situated on a small island in Northern Idaho; access to the property is limited, and rough waters make it difficult to bring materials in; it's a race to the finish as winter hits the island early.

Jared "Cappie" Capp showcases the luxury of off-grid living by building a modern home in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This stunning all-solar-powered abode will have a wood-burning fireplace, gourmet kitchen and a 400-square-foot loft.

Two renovators purchased land in Colorado to build a new home away from home. They've decided on using a rammed-earth process to construct all-natural walls, but when winter comes early, they realise this process is more laborious than anticipated.

A young family in Alabama breaks ground on their forever home during peak hurricane season. Between the delays from flooding, waiting for their building kit to arrive and falling glass, it will take everything they have to make this dream a reality!

Deep in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, a Georgia family is building a remote A-frame cabin retreat. Under sweltering heat, over rough terrain and building from dizzying heights, they hope to see their twenty-year dream come to fruition!

A newly blended family is building an eco-friendly straw bale house for their daughter in the mountains of Southwest Colorado; with winter fast approaching, the family races to finish when the build is threatened by torrential rains and cold nights.

A Missouri couple who have inherited property are now cleaning it up and building it out, but troubles multiply as hurricane rains flood the buildsite, a gigantic burn pile creates larger flames than expected, and materials arrive broken.

A college student and musician wants an off-the-grid treehouse compound with three structures, with each serving living and sustainability, in the Arkansas woods.

A couple looks to build an eco-friendly, off-the-grid geodesic dome, cooled using geothermal caves, with a view of Tennessee's South Cumberland Mountain Range; uncertain weather; an intricate design; treacherous mountain paths.

A pro builder constructs an off-grid dream home for his family on a remote riverside plot of land in the heart of Canada's east coast.

A couple simplifies with an advanced off-grid home on Colorado's eastern front with solar, passive solar, septic and water catchment features.

A couple struggles to finish their cabin before the harsh VT winter hits.

Obstacles threaten to turn a coach's dream cabin into a nightmare.

Two renovators realize their building method is more work than anticipated.

An Alabama family deals with building delays during hurricane season.

A GA family builds a remote cabin retreat in the Appalachian foothills.

With winter fast approaching, a family races to finish a straw bale house.

A couple faces flooding and fire while building out an inherited property.

A family is challenged while building a silo greenhouse home in Georgia.

An outdoor enthusiast works to build his dream retirement home in the Idaho mountains, but weather and material shortages slow his timeline. As things get back on track, he receives devastating news that brings his build to a grinding halt.

A family of three in the North Georgia mountains are building a unique, geodesic dome home at the top of their property. After endless rainstorms, their build site becomes nearly inaccessible and they question if their forever home will ever be completed.

A couple plans to build a unique outdoor living space in Colorado by using donkeys to get materials to the top of their steep build site. When their plans go haywire, however, they are left scrambling for solutions to finish the project.

A couple looks to bring the shores of Key West to their donkey sanctuary in Missouri; despite having experience with building off-grid properties, they face challenges as they attempt to construct a double container home deep in the woods.

After experiencing a devastating tornado, a family wants to build an off-grid retreat overlooking Tennessee's Ocoee River; as amateur builders, they must rely on the help of friends and family, and each other, to reach the finish line.

An Indiana farming family combines old with new to create a grain bin retreat on their busy working farm. They're up against snow, wind and freezing temperatures as they race to complete their build before farming season begins.

A man battles turbulent weather to construct a Greek cottage in Tennessee.

A family faces Mother Nature’s forces while building an underground home.

A family must work together to build a luxury glamping escape in Texas.

A couple faces challenges as they build a watchtower 30 feet in the air.

Two brothers want to build a yurt that can survive the harsh Maine winter.

A couple wants to build a country cottage on the remote family farm.

Friends and natural builders set out to construct a family adobe dome home.

In an effort to spend more time with their kids, a couple sets out to build a treehouse in remote Maryland.

A couple heads to Arkansas with their kids to build a mountain getaway.

A couple and their son head to southern Utah to build a modern A-frame.

A family builds their own underground home in the hills of Virginia.

A couple plans to build their home out of straw bales in the desert.

A young family builds an in-earth cavern in the mountains of North Georgia.

A couple teams up with experts to create a dream glamping experience.