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In 1968, Charles Bello and his wife, Vanna Rae, moved onto 240 acres of redwood forest looking to live a simpler life off the land.
They had spent their savings to purchase the land so they got to work building their home themselves. Their first structure was a panelized A-frame that they erected in 5 days (with help from a couple family members). Total cost was $2,800.
The property is a half-hour drive down a dirt road and it was bare land when they arrived so Charles and Vanna Rae built their own infrastructure: roads, bridges and went decades without refrigeration nor phone (they eventually installed PV panels and cabling for phone lines).
After 15 years in the A-frame, they built a cabin in the woods and there they lived for a decade until the trees began to block out their views. In 1991 Charles (who once apprenticed under famed architect Richard Neutra) designed the Parabolic Glass House. With a curvilinear wood roof and two curved walls of windows, the home feels enveloped in trees.
Charles and Vanna Rae built it for $8,500 with timber they milled themselves, using salvaged materials for everything from doorknobs to stoves. The couple relied on photovoltaics, solar thermal and gas for power and a dug-in greenhouse attached to the home provided much of their food. By canning and preserving, they could go for months without going to a grocery store. Their two boys were homeschooled. The couple supported themselves selling Christmas trees.
Nearly all the old growth trees on the property were logged in the early 20th century, but Charles has spent the past half century restoring the land. He and his wife set up the Redwood Forest Institute in 1997 to manage and preserve the forest. He has carefully selected 1,000 trees to be preserved for 2 millenia as the next generation of old growth.
Now, 87 years old and a widower, Charles is determined to find successors; he hopes to find three couples who want to settle on the property (currently worth about 4-6 million dollars) in exchange for continuing as stewards of the land. He is currently building glamping guest houses that he hopes will help fund the enterprise. His website now advertises “seeking caretaker ASAP”, someone “wanting to get away from it all and live a more simple down to earth lifestyle”.
How do the Kahns maintain self-sufficiency in their daily lives, beyond their home’s design?
In a world where modern comforts have become an integral part of our lives, there are still some individuals who have embraced the off-grid lifestyle wholeheartedly. One such couple is Lloyd and Joan Kahn, who have been living off the grid for more than 50 years in their architect-made paradise nestled amid the scenic NorCal redwoods. Their self-sustaining lifestyle and unique housing journey is an inspiration to many.
Lloyd and Joan met in the early 1960s while working in the San Francisco Bay Area as architects. However, they soon grew disillusioned with the city’s chaotic lifestyle and decided to move north in search of something simpler. They purchased a 20-acre plot of land in the Mendocino County, California, and begun building their dream home.
The Kahns’ home is an off-grid marvel, built with a focus on sustainability and incorporating natural elements such as stone, wood, and glass. Sitting at the top of a hill, the house features an expansive deck offering breathtaking views of the surrounding redwoods. The interior is beautifully designed, with intricate details such as a handcrafted spiral staircase and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace.
The couple’s off-grid lifestyle is not just limited to their home’s design but extends to every aspect of their daily lives. They have their own solar panels, water storage tanks, and backup generators, ensuring that they are always self-sufficient. They grow their own fruits and vegetables in their garden, collect rainwater for their use, and even have their own weaving studio where they make their clothes and blankets.
One of the most inspiring aspects of the Kahns’ journey is the fact that they built their home themselves with their own two hands. Lloyd, who has a background in construction, designed and built the house over a period of several years, and Joan, who had no prior experience in construction, learned on the job and helped with various aspects of the build. Their dedication and patience are a testament to the fact that it is possible to live off-grid, sustainably and comfortably, while also staying true to oneself.
The Kahns’ story is a reminder that sustainable living isn’t just a fad or a trend, but a way of life that can bring us closer to nature and ourselves. It’s an inspiration to those who wish to break free from the mundanity of modern living, and a tribute to those who choose to live life on their own terms. As Lloyd puts it, “We’ve been very lucky to have lived here so long, and it’s been a great adventure.” Indeed, a 50-year journey off-grid is a remarkable achievement, and the Kahns’ architect-made paradise amid NorCal redwoods serves as an inspiration to all those who seek to make a life with nature.
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