Living Off Grid
on Nova Scotia's South Shore
In 2013, we left behind the familiar, choosing to live off-grid on the shoreline, not knowing what adventures awaited us. Many thought we were crazy.
We weren't chasing isolation or self-sufficiency for its own sake. We were searching for something quieter. A home that felt connected to the landscape rather than separate from it. A place where our children could grow up exploring the woods, where our days were shaped by the changing seasons, and where life felt a little less hurried.
Designing and living in our own off-grid home has changed the way we think about architecture.
Every decision matters when your home relies on the sun for power, rain for water, and thoughtful design instead of excess. Living here has taught us lessons that no textbook or building code ever could.
This page is a collection of those lessons, part personal story, part practical guide, and part invitation to imagine another way of living.
Why we choose off grid
Our decision wasn't driven by technology or a desire to disconnect from the modern world. It began with a simple question: What kind of life did we want to create for our family?
For us, the answer wasn't found in a larger house or a busier schedule. It was found in slowing down.
We wanted our children to know the rhythm of the seasons. To climb trees, build forts, watch frogs in the pond, and spend long afternoons outside without needing to be entertained.
We wanted a home that encouraged us to be present, to notice the changing light through the windows, to gather around the wood stove on winter evenings, and to feel connected to the landscape beyond the walls.
Living off grid wasn't the goal. It became the natural outcome of designing a life centred around what mattered most.
Designing Our Home
When we first bought our home, it wasn't designed for year-round living. It was a simple summer cottage tucked into the woods, built for weekends rather than winters. The plumbing pipes weren't insulated, there was no insulation beneath the floors, and the entire electrical system relied on a single 50-watt solar panel,just enough to keep a few lights on and, if we were lucky, charge our phones.
Fresh from Scotland, we knew very little about Nova Scotia's climate or what it really meant to live off grid through all four seasons. Those first couple of years were a steep learning curve. We learned through frozen mornings, trial and error, countless improvements, and plenty of mistakes along the way. Every winter taught us something new, and every project made the house a little more resilient.
Over the past thirteen years, our little cottage has gradually evolved into the home we always imagined. We designed an addition that gave us the space to grow, upgraded to a full photovoltaic (PV) solar system that powers our home throughout the year, installed a rainwater collection and filtration system, and heat primarily with wood, some of it harvested from our own property.
When we first arrived, it was just the two of us. Today, our home is filled with the energy of two young children who have never known any other way of living. To them, checking the battery levels, collecting firewood, watching the rain fill our cisterns, and spending their days exploring the forest are simply part of everyday life.
Looking back, we realise we weren't just renovating a house, we were learning how to design a home that works in harmony with its environment. The lessons we've learned over the years continue to shape every off-grid home we design today.
Lessons from the Land
Living off grid has changed the way we think about architecture.
We've learned that the best homes aren't defined by the technology they contain, but by how thoughtfully they're designed. A home that follows the sun, uses resources wisely, and feels comfortable in every season will always need less.
The years of living off grid has taught us lessons no textbook could. Those experiences continue to shape every home we design, whether it's powered by the grid or the sun.
Over the coming months, we'll be sharing what we've learned about designing for life off grid,from passive solar design and rainwater systems to choosing the right windows, planning for winter, and creating homes that are both beautiful and practical.
We hope our experiences help you make more informed decisions, whether you're dreaming of a fully off-grid home or simply looking to build a home that lives more lightly on the land.