Tag Archives: off-grid

This Off-Grid Desert Retreat Is Eco-Conscious & The Perfect Secluded Escape

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Designed by the LA-based multidisciplinary architect Malek Alqadi, the Folly Mojave is a 200-acre wilderness retreat nestled at the intersection of the Mojave National Preserve and the Joshua Tree National Park. The Folly Mojave is a stunning off-grid home that draws inspiration from the region’s earthy hues and rocky textures. The Martian-esque terrain also inspired the home, allowing it to be a bold architectural statement. The Folly Mojave is one of the latest additions to Folly’s secluded stays.

Designer: Malek Alqadi

“Folly Mojave acts as a nature-derived, divine space, welcoming guests seeking wellness, healing, and self-reflection,” says Alqadi. The property includes three standalone properties which function as suites. The suites represent the four elements of nature, and they seamlessly vanish into the landscape during the day. The Water Suite perfectly merges indoor and outdoor realms and is equipped with a lovely bed, a well-designed kitchen, a walk-in shower, a loft-like ceiling, eco-friendly solar utilities, luxurious features, as well as an open-air sky terrace, which also serves as a fully functional bedroom for those who want to watch the sky at night.

The other two suites are the Fire + Stone and Wind, and they’re designed to deliver a luxurious experience amped with stunning views through the massive windows. Each suite has a raw and rustic appeal to it, accentuated by blackened steel accents and concrete shells. Wood was charred using the Japanese technique of shou sugi ban, and it adds a lovely texture to the buildings. The choice of materials incorporates a connection between humans and nature. Solar panels in the form of trees have been placed next to each suite, to encourage energy efficiency. “Folly Mojave strives to operate as a self-sufficient microgrid, with the sun reigning as the primary energy source – truly disconnecting from external utilities,” said Alqadi.

The property also includes another outdoor structure – the Mara Pavilion. This pavilion is inspired by the Oasis of Mara, which is one of the five palm oases in Joshua Tree National Park. This building is intended for self-care and wellness activities, and it will host movie nights, sound baths, yoga classes, and other intimate gatherings. The pavilion also includes a sauna, cold plunge pool, heated pool, and steam room. Therapists will also offer myriad spa treatments from a specially curated menu.

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This Eclipse-themed Outdoor Trailer is perfect for the Wanderlust who wants to live on the road

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The most recent celestial phenomenon – the solar eclipse – has inspired a lot of things including individuals who traveled hundreds of miles to be left spellbound by the sight of a total solar eclipse on April 8. If you missed it for some reason, you won’t get another chance any time before the next predicted total eclipse to happen in August of 2026.

So, before that happens, Taxa Outdoors, the name behind the Mantis travel trailer, has unveiled a solar eclipse-inspired rendition of the Mantis. The upgraded Mantis travel trailer – Dark Sky Mantis – is sleek in design, and follows a dark color scheme to substantiate its name.

Designer: Taxa Outdoors

Taxa Outdoors has been designing travel trailers for outdoor adventures for years, and their expertise and knowledge are squeezed fully into the Mantis. This is why there is no surprise that the company chose this model to pay ode to the once-in-a-lifetime celestial magic. The resulting Dark Sky Mantis is going to be just like the eclipse itself; it is strictly limited promotional built and will be available only between April 8 and 15, 2024.

The limited-edition Dark Sky Mantis, except for the matte black color and certain exterior graphics, is almost the same as the Mantis travel trailer. To that accord, the trailer is designed for the adventures of off-grid living. It is ready to go wherever you want, following the astronomical phenomenon or just for a drive to a location in the wilderness.

The off-road capable Dark Sky Mantis – in addition to the matte back finish and special graphics on the exterior – has off-roading tires to match the dark color theme of the trailer. On the other hand, the eclipse-inspired trailer has increased ground clearance, axle-less suspension and articulating Lock ‘N’ Roll hitch. Like the OG Mantis, this new model also measures 19 feet long, enough to accommodate four adults in a bed that converts to a dining or lounging space, and an additional convertible bunk bed.

The interior space is enhanced by a pop-up roof, while the people opting for the strictly limited trailer will get a well-laid-out kitchen, equipped with a two-burner stove, cooler, and sink, and a functional bathroom. Taxa Outdoors has not named the price of the Dark Sky Mantis, but we can expect it to cost over $45,750, that Mantis fetches.

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Land Cruiser-based Infanta 4×4 Inkunzi camper takes off-roading fun to the extreme

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Based on the Toyota Land Cruiser chassis, the Infanta 4×4 Inkunzi camper is a South African camper cruiser designed for off-grid living with an impressive design to showcase. It looks like a random ride on the unbeaten paths when closed, but the moment you open its wings (slides and pullouts) you have a camper most delightful to see and use.

For the love of adventurers at the park or campsite, the Inkunzi, which translates to bull in Zolo, is fitted with an electric pop-up roof and has big windows in canvas covers to keep the interior both airy and fresh. The roof lifts at the push of a button, while the passenger side of the camper has five hatches, one of which houses the kitchen and the other the bed.

Designer: Infanta 4X4

The Infanta 4×4 Inkunzi camper cruiser is designed to share the “same personality traits of a bull,” from where it gets its name. “Stubborn, strong-willed” in equal measures; the camper, molded from composite aerospace pre-impregnated fiber, weighs 644 kg when packed with all the accessories, and has a body measuring 9.8-foot-long. With all the versatile sliding and folding antics, the Inkunzi is effortless to setup, and takes only two minutes

The space within the camper is more focused on space utilization while all the things like the shower, kitchen and even the bedroom are designed to open outwards. The bed is placed in the front bedroom cabin that slides out from the main body and is provided with a headboard and storage cubies. Infanta uses the standing height space on the entry for dressing, while its slide-out kitchen on the passenger side spans almost the entire length of the camper.

Situated directly behind the cabin area, the fold-down kitchen has a two-stove burner, dishware, cookware, and utensils. Other kitchen compartments feature a 90-L fridge, shelves for storage, a collapsible basin, and a second worktop. An outdoor shower enclosed by drop-down curtains draws water from an onboard 120-L water tank connected to a 220V water heater.

Since the stout Inkunzi is made for off-roading, it comes with a 105-Ah battery, Victron charger and battery monitor, and an option to include an inverter and solar panels. The camper starts at R524 000, roughly $28,000 (without the truck), and has the option to add a 270-degree awning for additional usable outdoor space.

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The Timber Craftsmanship On This Off-Grid Tiny Home Is Its Aesthetic USP

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Portugal-based Madeiguincho is created by a family of carpenters and the firm’s home truly showcases their expertise in wood and timber craftsmanship. The Vigia perfectly demonstrates their exceptional skills, and functions as a light-filled home that can run off-grid. Meaning Lookout in Portuguese, the Vigia is founded on a double-axle trailer and has a length of 23 feet. It is finished in wood, both inside and out, and is equipped with loads of glazing, which allows natural light to stream inside. Wood shutters have been installed as well, to control and regulate the amount of light that permeates within.

Designer: Madeiguincho

The center of the home leads to the outside through glass doors. This central space is occupied by the kitchen which contains a sink, an electric cooktop, custom cabinetry, and space for a fridge/freezer. The living room is adjacent to the kitchen, and it seems quite comfy with an L-shaped sofa, a wood-burning stove, a decorative window, and some storage space.

The bathroom is located opposite the living room and includes a composting toilet, a sink, and a shower. This bathroom also includes a secondary entrance, and this can be accessed from the outside. The Vigia is equipped with only one bedroom, which is essentially a loft space that can be accessed through a fixed ladder. It is similar to the bedrooms you typically find in tiny homes, with a double bed and a low ceiling,

The Vigia has the ability to run off-grid, as it is equipped with a solar panel array on the roof, that can be angled towards to sun, to maximize the amount of energy produced. This panel is also connected to a battery system. Tanks have also been installed for water. The home is adorned with specialized and stunning timber craftsmanship from Madeiguincho, which truly sets the home apart from typical tiny homes on the market. The woodwork is the home’s USP, and places it high on the aesthetics and looks scale.

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The Konga Off-Grid Tiny Home Features A Well-Designed Kitchen Made With Offcuts

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Lithuanian kitchen maker Konga used the hefty supply of offcuts they had to create their own line of prefabricated tiny houses. They used the surplus material to build a good-looking and minimal non-towable home that can run both on or off-grid. The dwelling has a pretty low starting price point of US$59,000. The home isn’t built entirely from offcuts, but they have been used in the construction of the tiny home’s kitchen.

Designer: Konga

The tiny home is designed by the Danish architect Mette Fredskild, and it is finished in charred wood, giving it a rather unique and appealing look, while also providing protection against insects. It also helps to preserve the home, while accentuating its distinctive appearance. Generous glazing has been applied to the home, and most of it is operable. It is a well-insulated home that can deal with the cold weather and snow loads quite efficiently.

The interiors are well-designed and inviting. They measure 28 square meters, which is covered entirely on one floor, and feature a shared open-plan living space. The walls of the home have been clad in wooden oak veneer panels and teamed up with oak flooring. The cabin is filled with natural light, owing to the generous amount of glazing.

The kitchen is amped with a lot of features and amenities. It showcases a fridge, sink, and propane-powered gas stove, with loads of cabinetry and shelving. There is also a living room area with a sofa, a small dining table, as well a wood-burning stove to provide warmth. Two bedrooms have been positioned on either side of the kitchen. One of the bedrooms can be transformed into a home office, with sliding doors being installed to offer some privacy if need be. Both the toilet and the bathroom with shower are located in different rooms. The home also accommodates a small utility room, as well as a couple of storage nooks that have been nestled away throughout the house.

The cabin runs from an RV-style grid hookup, but buyers can opt for an optional rooftop solar panel setup and rainwater collection system. The wood-burning stove can be connected to a hot water system as well. The tiny home features a freezing toilet, instead of a composting toilet, and it basically freezes waste, ensuring the space stays odorless.

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