Without access to power, Shawn James used mostly hand tools for the construction of his off-grid log cabin in the Canadian wilderness, and got extra creative with the roof. He used shou sugi ban, a technique that originated in 18th-century Japan that involves charring a wood surface to waterproof and preserve it.

Shawn is committed to total self-reliance and staying off the grid. He isn’t planning to supply his quaint home, measuring 10×20 feet (plus a 100-square-foot sleeping nook on the second floor) with any power, including renewable energy. Instead, he will heat the cabin and cook using a wood stove fireplace.

Learn more about Shawn’s projects and his philosophy of self-reliance on his website. You can also follow him on Facebook and Instagram.