The goal of OFFGRID-INSTYLE is to provide the general public with affordable professionally prepared plans and construction drawings of stylish small homes and cabins which are no bigger than necessary, no more complex than necessary, and as affordable as possible to build – either by a small team of carpenters, or by a couple of good handymen.
As simple as they may appear, hundreds of hours, many thousands of dollars, and more than fifty years' building and design experience have gone into researching, developing, prototyping, and perfecting these designs – including selecting the most economical components and materials, simplified construction detailing to minimise labour, and dimensions to suit standard component sizes to minimise cutting and waste. If modern architects were totally honest, many might admit that if they had more time (and perhaps the incentive and practical construction experience) they would have designed simpler buildings. Akin to the famous literary quote 'If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.'
OFFGRID-INSTYLE designs and drawings are prepared by accredited building designer David Macfarlane, an experienced builder/architect/developer whose formal qualifications include a Building Certificate (Sydney Tech), BSc Architecture (UNSW), and MSc in Sustainable Building Design (Oxford Brookes). Completed projects include Tamar Solarhome in northern Tasmania, perhaps the most energy efficient house in Australia, plus one of Australia's first purpose-built solar-powered off-grid resorts, now trading as Elysian Island Retreat. For those interested, read Building Paradise for the intriguing story behind this unique resort's development.
OFFGRID-INSTYLE and TAMAR SOLARHOME are owned and operated by Ecoventure Pty Ltd. (ABN 23002169842) 24 Pars Rd, Greens Beach, Tasmania 7270. Managing director David Macfarlane can be contacted at: davemac713@yahoo.com