Grant’s rustic, off-grid home exemplifies Kiwi innovation and environmental design. His home, made mostly from two 40-foot shipping containers, combines industrial materials with rustic charm. The design effectively embraces the surrounding nature while also providing a communal, open-plan layout, making it ideal for both isolation and socializing.”I’ve got two containers for the house and two more for the shed,” Grant explains, pointing to the simple but functional structure. “It’s not perfect, but it’s close.”
Each container has 30 square meters of space, giving you plenty of room to live and party. The tight interior of the containers was opened up in the middle to create a large public area, which improved the overall flow and feel of the home.”The kitchen is a big part of that, making it a space where no one feels isolated.” The adjacent outside courtyard, equipped with a sitting area, pizza oven, and bathtub, rounds off the living space.
“In the summer, the pergola keeps things cooler by about 4°C,” Grant explains. “As the seasons change, we’ll adjust the structure to improve airflow through the house.” The 10-acre property also includes native vegetation, a natural spring, and various animals, adding to its rustic charm.”The goats are like my little kids,” Grant says, chuckling. “They wake me up every morning at 7 to feed them.”
Living Off-Grid with a Focus on Sustainability Grant’s off-grid home is powered mostly by solar, wind, and diesel systems.”The only thing I use gas for is the oven, but if I were building again, I’d use a coal range,” Grant jokes. He has also discovered novel ways to heat the house, such as harnessing the energy from his hot tub to circulate warm water beneath the floor, which helps to heat the room passively.
The rainwater collection system is another environmentally friendly element. “It’s practical for off-grid living,” Grant explains. Rainwater is kept in tanks, providing a consistent water supply for everyday demands. Even the outdoor bathtub, fashioned of reclaimed materials, displays his inventive thinking.”I used retaining timber and chimney bricks to keep the water heated. It’s ideal for relieving tight muscles after a hard day.
Grant’s use of stone and lumber gives the containers character and transforms their industrial appearance into something more natural. “Spending time in France, where everything is made of stone, influenced me,” he recalls. “It’s a bit labor-intensive, but the result is worth it.” Home Design: Rooms that Feel Connected to Nature. Grant’s rustic, off-grid home was designed to be open and sociable. The living area has a leather sofa and a television, making it both comfy and simple.
“The design is practical,” Grant says. “On the far end, there’s a leather seat and a television. It only barely fits, but it works.” The kitchen is a focal point in the home. “The kitchen makes it a more social space,” he says. “No one feels isolated, even when they’re cooking.” Beneath the floor, a smart system devised by Grant’s father, a refrigeration expert, circulates hot tub water to assist heat the home.
Grant is happy of the system’s efficiency, noting that it generates free energy that is passively used to heat the space. The flooring is beautiful, as it retains the original timber from the containers.”I cleaned it up, sanded it, and added a light stain,” Grant said. “It turned out great with just a bit of elbow grease.” The spare bedroom, positioned just past the main living area, provides extra space and is intended for efficiency.
He noted that the room has two exits for safety, one to the hot tub area and the other out the rear. It provides a wonderful, snug room for guests or extra storage. The master bedroom is a cozy sanctuary with a fireplace to keep you warm throughout the winter months.View Grant’s primitive, off-grid home in the video below.