its crazy how some people will run a meth lab in their suburban garage for a decade and not get caught but if you go live on the top of a mountain someone will report you for a compost toilet.

🏆 Jack of All Trades Genius Award 🎖️ Can feel his humility, but see his triumph 🎉 Great Father figure and family man 🤙🏼

A creative guy with an awesome supportive wife. It doesn't get much better than that.🙂

Really, if you can build for 12 years before involving the building inspectorate, they look at your work and ask you to take nothing down but just add a sprinkler to pass code you are a considered and thoughtful builder. I love this quiet renegade.

Let me get this straight. California is suffering from a homelessness problem and for the last 15+ years you have had a problem solving genius quietly reimagining the home building paradigm on a remote mountainside using any material he could get his gifted hands on. What is wrong with this picture??? He is a national treasure. California, America stop sleeping on this man!!!!! I honestly can't believe the lack of recognition happening here.

This was one of the most fascinating posts I've seen. This man is a genius. His home needs to become a museum.

I’m in awe of this family, their creativity, their tenacity, their strength and endurance and so much more. What a way to spend time on planet earth. Simply awesome 🎉

70 years ago my inlaws built their own house from the ground up-a little bit at a time as they could afford to buy materials or find them. He reminds me of them. This family is an absolute inspiration we should all be learning from!

One man's trash is another man's treasure. Even their own 20-year-old trailer becomes a roof/water containment system !! What a cool couple. Love this episode.

I’m glad they persisted despite being “reported” and that their work was of such quality that they did not have to make any changes. Bravo

Literally every piece of material used in, on and around their home has a story behind it.

He's a genius 15 years to build his dream. This family is lucky to be in their own space and away from all the city crazies.

"They don't like you to build like this." This was a treat. Thanks so much.

Wow! The only thing more amazing than this family's accomplishments is how he's telling the story! Thanks for sharing!

Every man should have the FREEDOM to build his family home how he chooses. He will build safely to protect the ones he loves, affordably with what he can find, timely to support each phase of family growth, and creatively to his heart's desire. Well done Cameron and family, and thanks for giving us the full tour Kirsten and family!

My respect for Cameron building everything with every material, just a Genius... and for Janeen and the family to support and help in the slightly long process. 😊

Their tenaciousness, creativity and humility is awe-inspiring, what a wonderful couple Cameron and Janeen are. Thank you Dirksen family for taking us with you, it's such a privilege for all of us.

This is so inspiring. As a trained architect i have always been such a perfectionist- to the point that i have never built my own house (at my age I probably will never happen). Twenty six years later, this couple have their own version of a mixed family quilt in the form of a home. Such great memories shared in this tour. Bravo

Un Frigging Believable!! 😅 People are incredibly creative sometimes. Its wonderful to see

First off.... the view from when you drive in is amazing! Built from salvaged material...... I dig this place way more than words can ever say! way too cool...

You have tons of acreage, lots of privacy but some cowardly neighbor felt the need to turn them in because they have a compost toilet? Four and a half years of dealing with P&Z , permitting fees and code enforcement, only to be told everything they’re doing is fine. Nice neighbors. Place is truly a work of art and invention. They’ve truly adapted to their land over the years and have made structures that are practical and beautiful. The views alone are truly breathtaking, even watching from my iPad. I can only imagine how clean the air is and how close to nature they are. I love it! ❤

You're alone on the top of a mountain practically on 40 acres and you STILL have nosey neighbors ratting you out! Go figure! This place is awesome! And so are these lovely people! Two peas in a pod!

It's so fascinating to me because I live in a small rural town in Australia and all we have, as do all of the other residents, is rain water. For our drinking, cooking, bathing, cleaning, watering and everything else in between. There are no other options. The water is clean and pure and it is collected from all of our rooftops. How ridiculous to be placing restrictions on this incredible, natural resource! PS I just LOVE this whole property!!!

As a dedicated DIYer who knows the frustration of figuring out new things, I would love to hear about the struggle of what taking on a project like that is, like how much stress did they endure to make the dream reality, it looks easy when he calmly shows it to us but I bet there is some real blood sweat and tears there!!

Easily a top 3 project on this channel. Simply amazing ❤ Why can't I be this handy and resourceful.

Every single video that has these off grid projects have just the most humble, sweet, patient, and full of humility types of people. They are all just so incredibly talented and creative. Just beautiful work and people. Much love and Aloha 🙏🏼❤️🤙🏼

Love how he used everything to create their home! Pure Genius

This has been the most Fascinating Experience I have seen and felt in a persons life in a long time. Just an amazing man . What a good woman she is too. You can't help but feel the LOVE there. Ty.💥💫💥

It is great to see that I am not the only one who collects "stuff". There are too many materials that go into landfills each day, and they can be so useful and unique for building. I love how this couple collects the water, it is another free resource that many of us can use off the eavestroughs. This video may be the best one that I have seen Kristen, maybe. You have given us so many great stories and unique builds from all over the world. Thank you for sharing these artistic elements in buildings.

This guy is genius to be able to build off grid atop a hill alone.Mix material broken concrete, wood, aluminum, metal all from scrap materials

This was amazing to watch. Love the problem solving he does with reclaimed material. If only we had more like him! Thank you for sharing!

I LOVE IT!!! I keep screaming out loud, "I love it, I love it, I love it"! I will watch this again and again. There are so many things I want to comment on... I loved the "two-hour patch work of colored cement" on the outer wall, and disagree with your interpretation that somehow it needed to be accepted - it is perfection! There's just too much I could comment on - it's ALL SO GREAT!!! THANK YOU for sharing your incredibly creative and beautiful home with us!

This man is a phenomenon!!! His mind is incredible and he and his lovely wife are really making me miss California. I grew up in Los Gatos and have been back in my native Ireland for 22 years now. What a wonderful piece Kirsten!!!

Such an amazing family, their house is full of character and love. It suits them really well.

Great show ! That’s really cool how it came together in slo-mo, but naturally as materials and time became available. Kudo’s on the up-cycling of building products. I’ve currently got at least 100- 9 ft 2x6’s that I got for free out of a 🇨🇦 prefab wall builder’s dumpster, tossed, because they can’t pay a guy to pull the nails out of components put together wrong. In turn, I build free benches for parks. win-win. Never be afraid to ask to salvage things headed for the landfill. 🍁🤙

Unbelievably cool, this man is genius in the way he thinks and, in the way, he uses found material for architecture. His wife is amazing too for seeing and trusting his vision and for being a partner with him in it to make a homestead as fabulous and unique as it absolutely is.

Kristen's KZfaq content is never disappointing. 👍

This is a remarkable family and life inspiring.Kirsten what a heart you and your family has.

Wow what a story. My dad and I are fixing up a cottage on a remote Scottish island, and I thought we were taking too long at 6 years, but this man's story puts it in perspective.

This family has everything... Home very well done with patience, big help from each other with love, guidance and support from each. Thank you so very much for sharing this inspiration. Let's keep caring the earth. 🙏🏼🌺🌴🇵🇭❤️

very,very cool ! proves that with a little money, lots of creativity and out of the box thinking, with hard work one can have a castle on a hill!

Its amazing how we are told how wasteful we are, but at the same time they make it hard to build this way. In my state they will bury unused material on site. What a waste that is. My home has recycled stuff, but i had to stay below 200 square feet to stay out of regulations. A large wrap around porch is a blessing in my climate that extends my living space. What a wonderful home you have created together. Your kids gained knowledge that most do not get. Thanks for showing us.

Trying not to have any fear, in utilizing your hands, your experiences, your knowledge... ...and having difficulties with what OLD codes and Old regulations request of you. Wow. Amazing. I believe you are gifted and I'M Super elated that Kirsten Dirksen and family were able to film this . I am very inspired. Thankyou from treelink. 😊❤🤗

WOW,if only, we know how to recycle, just a little like he does, the world would be a diferent place, we throw away so much, God bless them, thankyou for your work.

This is the coolest house ive ever seen, everything has a story, so great and what a spot, amazing!

This guy is a creative genius. Love all of his ideas. Really a nice humble couple, so rare to see nowadays. Im so like that, in that I hate waster, there are always creative ways to use things. Many blessings to their lives.

another great video. materials will always be materials.....make something then they can be reused to make something else. this guy knew how to reuse and hats off to him....!

Wow, the amount of work and dedication that went into this is beyond imaginable.

I think it's a beautiful thing they've done for themselves! Anything worth doing is hard work.

Your home whispers stories based in history from every corner and angle. Lovely. Thank you both so much for sharing the clever designs and materials with us here! May it stand for hundreds of years boldly proclaiming to all who listen and see!

They are the epitome of craftsmen and women!! This is the kind of thing kids today should see and be inspired by. You can do anything you want if you put your mind to it. It just takes hard work, a little ingenuity and research on how to do things.

I am amazed by his creativity. He didn’t just make or build things that functioned, he made them well, and made them pieces of beautiful art

I wasn't going to watch all of this, it was kind of long, but i was sucked into it as soon as it started!! Amazing ingenuity and skill, and materials that went into these buildings!!! ❤

My family has nick-named me ‘re-psycho’ and I wear the badge proudly. Good on you for saving all those things from landfill and creating something beautiful out of them.

this might be my favorite as far as design skill, resourcefulness and recycling. This guy deserves to instruct a large team with a well equipped shop.

I am shocked and amazed, at this project that these innovative, intelligent, cool people took on! I’ll be watching this again! thank you so much for introducing us to them! Very inspiring!

Art work,with different colors on wall, majestic, beautiful. Love your talent and perseverance.

I've got to say, this is one of my most favorite properties I've seen on your channel so far! This guy and his family are super creative and I love everything about their property. This is so very cool!

My favorite episode of all time. Thank you so much

Absolutely amazing!! Such unbelievable original structures. The ability of a human to invent as we go is simply amazing to me. Fabulous simply fabulous. Their home is a work of art and hard labor.

Awesome home👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 They should start rewriting the plumbing codes now. People are.getting wise about our water needs. Don't wait for a Crisis before they do something.

Love, love, love this video, the place, and the people who are all in this video. Thank you. ❤❤❤

Thank you. Love from Limassol Cyprus

Creative, inventive human being. A joy to watch. Thank you!

Most expensive part of his house was likely the stamp he got from the county building department 😂. Very creative people ! Love the craftsmanship and engineering that went into this place. Obviously a very talented man.

What a fun house. A bit complex but with some beautiful pieces of wood and metals. Mind-set. Making logical change is so hard to break into because of this. This a wonderful example of what can be done. I remember looking into composting toilets in the 1970's in Qld., (Queensland) Australia. The idea that impressed me the most was the solid material of the composting toilet would drop down quite a height and, because of the hot, dry climate, all the material would dry out vey quickly and desintegrate in a very short time.

Magnificent ❤, you two and kids give a lot of love,hard working. So beautiful, thank you.

If bureaucracy only got on board with clever ideas to live outside the box instead of designated mind numbing localities that one must adhere to because of mandate or regulation. beautifully liveable buildings that this Man came up with as he needed them, Thanks for Sharing

Absolutely stunning view. You feel on top of the world here. What an amazing piece of property.

Watching From Trinidad west Indies beautiful craftsmanship respect the sacrifice

I had a chance to visit in 2013 and was amazed at the creativity, these are such humble and creative people. The world would be wise to embrace this kind of creativity in all aspects of life. ❤❤❤

Reminds me of my old English teachers place above lake George, new south wales Australia. He took the whole class there out one day. Stunning.

Cameron and Janeen your creation of a house is nothing less than SPECTACULAR!!! Thank you Kirsten.

Wow! This may have taken a long time to build, but wow! The stories behind everything are so incredible and interesting! It's just a captivating video. And I had no idea there was anywhere at this altitude that got such insane winds! 100 to 120 mph! Again, WOW!

The home made by patient dreamers! Thanks Kirsten for showing such an amazing places!

"Design After Resources." Yep, that's how I live too. Thank you for putting a name to it.

This was interesting. I admire people who can live out thier dream and not have to have everything instantly. I must say also, that I have enjoyed watching your kids growing up through the years. All the places you have been has been a really good adventure, and education for them.

😮This is Amazing now only if we had more people like them! He definitely should get some kind award and put into like a magazine to be recognized for his Amazing work. I can’t even imagine how many hours of work has went into this! Bravo 👏 🎉 way to go! Nice story thanks for sharing 🫶🫶☮️☮️🌎🌎👏👏❤️

No-one should ever need permission to build a home or a cistern. These people live independently on their own land, leave them the hell alone!

The commitment to live free of noise and air pollution is commendable. Great job 👏🏻

These folks have a perfect situation for more of an earth ship where they can reclaim grey water for toilets and gardens, I hope they have looked into this and incorporated it into the lovely home design!

Sharp hat buddy. This is a great way to live. Thanks Kirsten for bringing us this content.

That Lockheed plant he mentions built the P-38 Lightning fighter during the war years. My uncle flew the type in combat over Europe. If I could have salvaged material from the old plant, I surely would have!

Wonderful, A couple that see's art and creativity in things other people throw away. I agree an artistic genius.

This is one of my favourite channels and this has been my best episode ever. Thank you for finding these amazing people

Wow what an impressive build

His beautiful furniture, cabinetry, flooring and everything is so creative. I would give my eye tooth to be half as creative as Cam. Well done sir!

Awesome. I wish you'd concentrate on these terrific and revolutionary labor of love DIY projects instead of the unattainable creations of rich architects and their clients. Architectural Digest is doing that kinda stuff already.

This was so satisfying to watch. This family has some awesome memories built into this homestead. Can't imagine how much hardship they endured. But the rewards are inspiring. Would hope the children are in professions that promote their ideals. Would be hard to live a hum drum life after such a childhood. Thanks for sharing this. I want to sit in that bowl looking at that view.😊

❤They are amazing, the eco-villas are so good and the friendly finishing materials are perfectly utilized❤

Thank you for sharing.

Your content never ceases to amaze me!

This builder thinks and appreciates the process/structure/materials inherent to a valuable world. Upcycle etc, makes the world a more interesting place. I wish I had his skills. Well done sir, and presentation guys.

I love their resourcefulness. Thanks Kirsten for your ongoing wonderful videos.

Have you ever asked the folks who run the My Little Homestead channel on KZfaq? They have a similar compound that they've build almost entirely by hand, mostly with straw bale. It was a couple and their 4 kids, and they slowly build the kids their own "rooms" that are separate buildings. Now they've been adding additions to the original small house (that was on the property initially), an outdoor shower, and some other things.

You've made a tremendous work, men💪 dream and win💙💛🙏

absolutely incredible!!!!!!!!!! thank you for showing the world what we are capable of!!!!!

That's a crazy life lived. But they obviously enjoyed it.

What a beautiful place to call home!

So difficult when you live remote with a young family! Just hope you enjoy the fruits of your labours and encourage others that all is possible. Maybe near a town next time!1