This week on Grand Designs NZ, we follow the journey of a young couple, Li and Michelle Tane, who have chosen to live off-grid in the remote Canterbury high country. Over the past seven years, they have lived in a tent, a mud hut, and two timber huts, even having a baby during this time. Now, they are building a house on their 50ha land, which they bought for $145,000 in 2011.
Li and Michelle have many practical skills that help them live in this challenging environment. Li is an arborist with experience working on hillside farms in China, while Michelle is a horticulturalist. They are building a rammed-earth house with timber they have milled over the past few years. The house will be small, just over 100m², and they aim to complete it within a year for $300,000 to $400,000.
The couple temporarily moved to a house they own in Geraldine, an hour’s drive away, while they build their new home. They continue to live simply, in harmony with nature, and appear unfazed by the challenges ahead. They even increased their solar power system to power their tools for the build.
The raw material for the rammed earth house comes from the Cardrona Valley, 300km away. The couple also had to navigate a challenging access road, which includes river fords, to bring in materials for the build. Despite these challenges, they remain optimistic and determined.
The finished house is simple and robust, perfect for the harsh environment. It features natural materials, a walnut kitchen, and niches carved out of the rammed-earth walls for books and plants. The couple also chose to place a large boulder outside the living room, blocking much of the valley view, because they love big boulders.
Li and Michelle have spent around $580,000 on the build, going over their initial budget. However, they seem extremely happy with their new home and their off-grid lifestyle. They don’t have internet, which they consider a luxury, not a necessity. Instead, they spend their time reading books, playing cards, and listening to music. Despite the challenges, their life sounds idyllic.
