Off-grid, handcrafted life on Oregon farm & workshop

Brian is an "obsessive craftsman" who believes he can build most anything in his life. On his Oregon farm he has built, or renovated, 5 tiny structures. After being told by the county that he couldn't erect a yurt, he built a code-approved main house "to give us a place to legally stay".

Once the main house was built, he created several smaller structures (less than 200 square feet) on the property from 90% local materials.

The farm is completely off the grid and Schulz points out that this doesn't mean they rely on propane or lots of photovoltaics. Nearly all their tools for living have been adapted to fit the off-grid lifestyle. For his prototype solar-powered bathhouse Schulz used recycled solar hot water panels, salvaged hot water tanks (from the dump), a solar thermal window and a recycled soaking tub. Indoors, Schulz has adapted a chest freezer to create a low-consuming refrigerator (using a tenth of the electricity of a regular fridge) and a 1940s wood-fired cookstove to cook, heat and as a heat-exchanger, harvesting waste heat and thermo-syphoning water to heat up the home's hot water.

They do have a limited number of photovoltaic panels which produce about 1000 watts of electricity when the sun is shining (for the entire farm), as well as a micro hydro generator in the creek and solar thermal panels.

Schulz models much of what he builds on the Japanese aesthetic and tries to make everything in his life not just functional, but beautiful (e.g. his bathhouse was designed not just as a shower, but as a way to de-stress).

Schulz is an avid kayaker and for his day job, he builds skin-on-frame kayaks (as well as teach others to build their own).

Other videos with Brian:

[digitalsoultech]

dont you just love kirsten's simple yet high captivating video editing?! no sound, no music but engaging scenes and great dialog. i find she does this will all her videos and very succesful. thanks again kirsten for another excellent video!

[MrEdsster]

I grew up not too far from there and my dad also built a house for a big family out of scrap wood. He layered 2x4s like bricks hand hewed his beams and tore down big buildings for extra material. Oregon was a great place to grow up and I'm glad to see that there are still folks out there that consider living off the grid a good thing. I would like to visit this place in person some day. Thanks for sharing.

[BondServant]

This man would make one heck of a professor. I deeply respect people that are passionate about everything that interest them. Just not enough of that in our World.

[aandbhoward]

Brian I have to tell you that your video was so inspiring to watch. I am 52 and my wife and I are buying a a acreage and want to become self sufficient with collecting water and heating and using electric by solar. I'm building a greenhouse to grow our own food and raising chickens and beef for our own consumption. We will have propane for a back up but want to see if we can do it without. I have watched lots of videos and yours inspired me. You are very talented. Thanks for sharing. 

[TiberiusMaximus]

As an Electrical contractor and retired soldier I am truly impressed! I commute to the VA Hospital on a electric mtn. bike which I recharge with solar panels, I am currently trying to get off the grid but a disabled soldiers salary isn't that much so I was very happy to see how much you have used salvaged materials and it inspired me, so thanks! One of my favorite videos.

[michaellovesbuffalo]

arguably the most sustainable person ive seen documented and celebrated. inspiring- enlightening and joyful!!!

[Awesome]

Brian is a beautiful, talented, loving, knowledgeable and a living example, what connecting to earth really means. This video should be shown in schools. Thank you so much for making it and posting it.

[ArthLud]

The way you talk about your building kayaks and boats job tells me its your true passion! Awesome!

[earthkeyper]

It's great to see the rest of the story. Speaking of sitting with the land and hearing what it speaks to you, how Zen Buddhist. Something I have practiced with many spaces. Love your work. 

[lorenzocercelletta]

could spend 3 years watching videos on this channel and still not have wasted 1 minute of my life. Best channel on youtube, plus this dude is such a legend

[alexandervasilyev]

JUST ONE THING TO SAY.
WOW! great!!! So much here-and-now thinking and naturality and all about creation!

[onepeopleministries]

You sir are amazing. Being a young fella, you definitely refresh my hope in the next generation.

[brent]

Thanks Kirsten. Wow! Like many other commenters, I am really impressed with this guy, how he chooses to live and what he has done.

[gbbbys]

I really appreciate the fact that you have students come volunteer, that alone makes you somebody in my book.

[xibipiio]

That whole explanation of the kayak at the very end was BADASS

[d.cantrell]

I like the way you build, I think the oriental theme is relaxing. Reusing things is the best way to go, not to be cheep but to prevent waste. Things like people deserve a second chance. Thank you so much for sharing.

[lcabo]

Damn.  That guy has mad mad skills!  Simply outstanding!  

[tfoen]

This is awesome!!!
Someone who built his castle within his land.
And now has made his castle happy for his soul and to mother earth/nature without paying a hefty ransom.
You rock!!!

[debbieboring]

I like how he not only has gotten to the point where he has been able to live like he is able but that he teaches others how to do things too. Thank you another interesting video.

[cuzitk]

We do not learn to live simply like this. What a treat to embrace utility. Thank you for this content. Thank you for sharing some of your world