Ep 5. Volcano Home

In season 7 episode 5 of Building Off the Grid, viewers are taken on a journey to the heart of Hawaii's Big Island where they witness an incredible feat of architecture nestled within the lush tropical forests of an active volcano. The episode titled Volcano Home, showcases the spectacular home built by a young couple who wanted to create a unique living space that would allow them to be one with nature and live off the grid.

The episode begins with an introduction to the homeowners, Nick and Iris, who are a couple in their 30s with a passion for adventure and the environment. They have always been fascinated by the active volcano on the Big Island and decided to take on the challenge of building their own home on the land. The couple knew that building in an active volcanic zone would be a tough feat, but they were determined to create a home that was sustainable, energy-efficient, and earthquake-proof.

Viewers then get a closer look at the incredible location of the home. The site of the house is situated in a remote area where the only access is through a mile-long unpaved road. The land is also surrounded by dense forests and a large amount of vegetation, which poses a significant challenge for the builders. Nick and Iris have always been keen on conserving nature and wanted to build their home using minimal machinery and eco-friendly materials. Therefore, the couple decided to use bamboo, which is a renewable material that grows locally, and also has the added benefit of resilience to earthquakes and lava flows.

The viewers are then taken through the step-by-step process of how Nick and Iris worked closely with their architect and builder to design and build their dream home. The couple had to be creative in their design approach and used features like a rooftop garden, passive solar heating, and a rainwater collection system to make their home as eco-friendly and self-sustainable as possible.

The design of the house is unique; it has one square main room with a large glass window that provides unobstructed views of the surrounding tropical forest and the active volcano in the distance. The room is subdivided into three areas – a living area, a bedroom, and a kitchen. The house is elevated on bamboo stilts and has a wrap-around deck that provides an additional living space outdoors. The bamboo construction is not only eco-friendly but also helps to keep the home well-ventilated and cool in the hot, tropical climate.

As the build progresses, Nick and Iris face several challenges, including heavy rain and flooding, which delays the build by several weeks. The couple's determination to build their dream home and their passion for conserving nature are evident throughout the episode. They deal with the setbacks in a positive manner, always finding creative solutions to overcome the challenges they face.

Building Off the Grid season 7 episode 5, Volcano Home, is an insight into a couple's dream to create a self-sustainable home in an active volcanic zone. The episode highlights the couple's passion for the environment, the challenges of building in a remote location, and the use of eco-friendly materials to create a unique, energy-efficient living space. Watching Nick and Iris's determination to build their dream home is inspiring and makes for an excellent watch for anyone interested in sustainable living or eco-friendly design.