At 89, Lloyd Kahn has been building his own homes for over six decades, crafting spaces that include a few domes, at least one tower, and plenty of hand-split shingles. He’s documented his builds, as well as the makeshift homes of thousands of alternative builders all over the US and the world, with whom he manages to keep in touch one way or another.
Back in 1971, Lloyd purchased his current half-acre homestead in Bolinas, California, for $6,000, with permits costing just $200, and he made use of salvaged and recycled materials—a feat he acknowledges would be challenging to replicate today. Despite modern builders’ hurdles, Kahn has advice and inspiration for anyone hoping to follow in his footsteps.
Kahn’s impact on the world of alternative building and self-sufficiency extends beyond his personal projects. Through his books, like Shelter (1973) and later works from Shelter Publications, he has documented and shared the journeys of owner-builders who, like him, have crafted unique and sustainable homes, often from unconventional materials. Known for his role as the former Shelter editor of the Whole Earth Catalog and as a pioneer of the green building movement, Kahn has inspired generations to embrace D.I.Y. architecture, from domes to driftwood shacks to recycled-timber cabins.
By sharing his own path to self-sufficiency and those of other unconventional builders, Kahn remains a guiding force for the new wave of back-to-the-landers and even the Silicon Valley innovators looking for alternatives to mainstream living.
After 5,762 posts and over 13K comments, Lloyd announced in his blog on May 18, 2024, that he was switching his blog over to Substack, where he’s titled his ever-rolling enterprise “Live from California.” He defines what he will cover there as follows: “Building, gardening, adventures, travel, people, surfing, skateboarding, fitness, aging, art, architecture, Baja, music, books, tiny homes, rolling homes, the natural world.”
Lloyd will turn 90 in April and plans to still be skateboarding and road-tripping in his Tacoma 4×4 truck. —Lloyd’s Substack, “Live from California”: lloydkahn.substack.com
You can watch the video at www.youtube.com