Forsaken Joshua Tree hut becomes off-grid folly for stargazing

When Malek Alqadi and Hillary Flur first drove down the dirt road in Joshua Tree and saw the collapsing homestead cabin surrounded by open space, they knew it was the spot to build their off-grid smart cabin.
The Folly Cabin is reference to the the often useless buildings built in 19th century Europe on large expanses of land. “I adapted a new filter of what a millennial’s take would be like on a folly”, explains Alqadi “making it a smart, sufficient, self-sustainable prototype for future building, current buildings and doing it on a small scale so people can grasp the concept of what off-grid is.”
The Folly Cabin was built using the foundation of the original homesteader’s cabin (from 1863 to 1977, homesteaders could claim 16O-acre parcels in the Mojave Desert). The small space now includes a living/dining space, sleeping loft, kitchenette, toilet and shower with an indoor boulder and glass wall to bring the outdoors in.
For additional sleeping space, they built a separate stargazing loft with no ceiling, accessible only by an outdoor metal ladder and served by an open-air bathtub made from a galvanized metal tank normally used for livestock feed.
Malek's KZbin Channel: / @mmmad-me8qo
Designer Website www.malekalqadi.com
Architecture + Design office Website www.studiocohesion.com
For Reservations at Folly: www.follycollection.com
*faircompanies: faircompanies.com/videos/aban...

[@anthropologybear2941]

The original 1950s homesteading shacks are sprinkled all over the high desert around Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley, many of them untouched for a generation or two. Many people have upgraded those to be like small cabins with an outhouse for rustic living, or connected to the power grid for their utilities. Unlike this example, most of the homestead properties were built with cinderblock walls. Many of the neighborhoods still have dirt roads with fully equipped on-grid homes. Unfortunately, the remoteness and accessibility of so many abandoned homesteading shacks in the high desert created a perfect environment (back in the 90s especially) for home meth-lab production. Per capita, this area has a high frequency for addiction and related compulsion disorders and crimes including domestic violence and child abuse as a result. This high desert area is super dry: we moved there from Phoenix and thought we knew all about living in the desert - but the Sonoran desert of AZ was a lush paradise compared to the Mohave. For the first 2 weeks we were in Yucca Valley (next to Joshua Tree) we woke up with bloody noses each morning because it was just so DRY. Seasonally, the wind will scream through the area in a terribly powerful 2 to 3 day constant wind storm that for us newbies seemed terrifying. Sometimes, it will snow! The high mesa in Yucca Valley is at about a 4,000ft elevation; therefore the town on the main highway below might only get a sprinkle of snow, but up on the mesa the snow will be a thin blanket and stay a while. All of it is beautiful in its own way. Just like any other environment, it might take a little while to adjust.

[@alaskaonpause]

Extremely interesting!

[@IlputocapoMateo]

Though this reads kinda as a warning, your making wanna go there so much!

[@jonlee2553]

Lived there for 3 years, I think you can almost make out my old place near the beginning. I only lived probably a mile or two away from Copper Mt. 100% correct on what you said. I love it, I miss it, and I suffered my first two break-ins within 30 days there, both in broad daylight. Bars on your windows mean nothing out there, mine were pulled of with a tow strap and a truck. Meth is a terrible problem there and I'd consider staying if it wasn't for A: California B: The drugs.

[@sashamoore9691]

im opposite. i hated the sonoran desert! the low elevation caused so many nose bleeds anf i felt like passing out. but the mohave desert in arizona had more wind, breeze and the higher elevation made it much more enjoyable. it did get really cold out there some months but i loved it!

[@michelleeaton6602]

It is quite aesthetically pleasing. I love the boulder in the shower. In terms of wildlife, there are snakes (especially rattlesnakes), scorpions, huge spiders (sun spiders!), coyotes, lizards, and fire ants. I deal with all of those and I live close to town. The AC bills would be incredibly high in the summer to cool that whole space. You would have to run a split unit like that 24 hours a day for months at a time to constantly resist the extreme heat. It can’t be powered by solar. Also, he didn’t mention insulation. It’s very important. Desert summer highs are 120 and winter lows in the 30s. It snowed last week! Also, it looks like the neighbor is too close... although I think I saw trees in the drone footage. I do think the stargazing would be absolutely wonderful there. I understand it’s a design project. And, I think it is an “experiential” AirBnB. Nice.

[@sashamoore9691]

i live in wildreness area of the desert, and i thought id see more of that, but i really dont see snakes and scorpions. and im in arizona!

[@Jappy1981]

The indoor-outdoor aspects were great, right down to the shower boulder. I really like that it was incorporated as a seat.

[@Jappy1981]

@Adena Properties We have a few of his works here; very close to the Darwin Martin House.

[@jquest43]

Jappy1981 unfortunately it was radioactive.they both passed away rip..

[@CatatonicImperfect]

omg, so beautiful. and only $700 a night. what a bargain!!! essentially, it really accentuates my minimal wage.

[@GREENLALI]

Yeah his delusional

[@alexanderk.3056]

WTF!? ... 700$ for one night, to be abducted by aliens or don't know who!? Thanks, but no thanks!

[@StephanBranczyk]

During a once a year meteor shower, yes, I can envision some yuppies paying that price. But otherwise, no. That pricing is insane.

[@scynapz]

@@kurikat The tampons are there for guests. Just like when you rent a hotel you can buy some in case you forgot any. Second why do you care if he's getting lad? You think any product you own the makers of t an't getting lad either?

[@th2k864]

At those prices he could afford to add more solar grid and not have to be so worried about every little kilowatt that gets used. Maybe even add a full sized fridge?

[@thedude11890]

The neighbors 10 feet away must be stoked

[@23ofSeptember]

Yeah, they look quiet, but if I lived out there in the desert I wouldn't want any neighbors. But, maybe they sold them the lot for a good deal.

[@cyrilbrown2803]

I imagine this is a getaway place, weekends. This would be a hell of an Airbnb.

[@RobertStrader-jb4ty]

@@radrufdesign Yucca Valley is full of shopping and a short 12-15 minutes down the highway.

[@mdude625]

Home owner: "It's a folly with a purpose..." Inigo Montoya: "You keep using that word...I don't think it means what you think it means."

[@po.po.poquito]

"It's a folly with a purpose..." Oh ok, so not a folly. 😅😅

[@sswmetalhead]

I cant find any info on the "folly" electric management tablet he was using. Could you point me in the right direction please?

[@einarabelc5]

Nah, it's a hipstfolly.

[@skixo13]

@@sswmetalhead it's self made

[@NoteFromSELF]

@@skixo13 I did NOT make this.

[@skixo13]

Michael Self brilliant lol

[@mikemalone9896]

It is hard to believe all the negative comments about the "folly". It is a nice, thought out structure in the middle of a unique location. True, this, as well as most "tiny" houses are made for the young, who don't get up several times a night to go to the rest room and can climb ladders to go to bed. I wish the tiny house with solar was viable when I was younger, I would totally go for it. But being 72, I want my living a little easier. Thanks for sharing this very nice video.

[@johnnymelendez4836]

I couldn't have said it better, I thank you sir in total agreement.

[@edstud1]

I like his mastery of the "off grid" technology. Very creative space in a challenging environment.

[@groundcontrolgainesville4841]

dude really likes to say "essentially" and "accentuate." I didn't know I could accentuate my way into a room.

[@SueMead]

*+Ground Control* I feel validated because his use of "accentuate" didn't make sense. Major Tom - out.

[@The_Reality_Filter]

and yet he didn't once mention that it costs $1000 a night to stay in his "folly" or that it offers a 24/7 concierge service...

[@einarabelc5]

He forgot unauthentic.

[@FrancisFurtak]

Wow. Very rough exterior but modern interior. Love all that off grid stuff. Great use of space. Well done. Must be wonderful sleeping outside.

[@paolabueso]

Beautiful project! Thank you for sharing this.

[@wadesmith7041]

Very nice off grid cabin love the design aspect thank you for sharing Kristen

[@blitzburghbilly7813]

THAT WAZ A PRETTY KOOL CONCEPT BROUGHT TO LIFE & WORKING GREAT FOR THEM... 👏 .......

[@ziddi2603]

Whenever a person asks "if it was affordable to build..." and the response is simply, "..yes...blah blah" lol My guess is this is a Airbnb and nothing more

[@terryjp3050]

so what?

[@kkarebear4]

$375 a night lol. Really cool design tho.

[@The_Reality_Filter]

Correct title should be: Forsaken Joshua Tree hut becomes off-grid folly for separating hipsters from their parents money.

[@jonlee2553]

@@The_Reality_Filter it's BIIIIG business out there. My buddy owns a spot not too far away, a secluded little hamlet this lady would love to see. He makes a mint renting it out to hipsters and out-of-towners looking to visit JTNP and still have a nice place to come home to.

[@CindySmotherman]

Amazing place, thanks for sharing, brilliant design 🌵

[@concernedcitizen3651]

One of your best ....loved the audio also.

[@taura1099]

Beautiful place, another interesting video from Kirsten .

[@LulasticHippyshake]

I love the idea of this being an "ice breaker"- a sort of transition home, a palatable form of off grid! We are off grid in yurts in New Zealand and are in no way a halfway house! Although we did just switch from compost bucket loos to compost flushable toilets and hopefully even just that little change might help our lifestyle seem slightly more accessible to others! Thanks for another awesome video :D

[@The_Reality_Filter]

This is not any kind of "home" it is a business venture and at $400 a night I imagine a very successful one. This channel was no doubt paid a handsome fee to feature it.

[@The_Reality_Filter]

My mistake it's closer to $700 a night.

[@MajorSeventh]

5:27 "I took that existing footprint and _extenuated_ all the walls..." LOL OK, I would've _extended_ them, but whatever floats your boat.

[@SueMead]

*+MajorSeventh* I thought he said, "accentuated" but either way, it's an odd way to speak. Unless there's _extenuating_ circumstances.

[@FelipeFreiredeSouza]

This is absolutely fantastic! Here in Brazil we have a lot of huge and desert spaces to build.

[@yahwea]

would have loved seeing more of the systems

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Trophy house on the inside! Very well-planned!

[@philiq18]

My favourite thing has to be the boulder in the shower. Overall that folly's a stellar design.

[@dmbradley4]

i still come back to view this place. I'd want one for myself.

[@smileyhappyradio]

Calling it a folly...don't call it that, if it had no purpose, thats a folly, by definition. This "house" is a cool off grid house. No need to get more attention to it by calling it a folly. Also, the cabinetry is from ikea, I know that dresser, I have one, I built it myself. Otherwise, another great video!

[@darae3936]

I think a grounded "treehouse" is a better term. Treehouse in the sense it is a glorified playhouse.

[@61CatLady14]

When he said "we made all the cabinetry", I was like, "it's from Ikea! But they did construct it, LOL.

[@andrewfreeman88]

millennial hipsters love to sound cool and ironic...it's one of there most obnoxious traits..

[@HeyoLamo]

@@andrewfreeman88 Andrew Freemans are neither free nor Andrews, and something's gotta be done about it.

[@Rimrock300]

Agreed, it's not a 'folly'. It's a cabin to stay for the weekend, and for rental. When I think of folly it's like some costly small tower built in the English country side with just a staircase inside and a platform at top. No place for living.

[@thelittleittybittypityshow6380]

Yes! This is cool! And I even Habe the tub, one town over from this place. Great Build!

[@drew031127]

Feeling very inspired!

[@kenlodge3399]

Right off want to compliment your channel. Its been one of my favorite starting with, "Dan Price", like BOOM!!! Shared with my entire tree that got a giggle from everyone cuz it's pure Me. So m a huge fan, hands down. Discovered your channel about a year ago and admit not a single one has come to disappoint. So it's liken this, I never post - Never, but this one has got to be the Top. Found only one flaw which is impossible for me. This home is pure art, genius, fills every corner. From the moment you left the highway it was hi art... balance and simplicity. Like that.

[@VictorBLAU]

Bath's stone, stars's bed...just amazing!! 😍

[@jasonswartzbaugh3925]

I'm sure it probably cost 25K just for permitting and various engineering costs. Before anything was even built. California is expensive AF!

[@StephanBranczyk]

Not if you're building off-the-grid and in the middle of nowhere in California.

[@catherinemize6856]

California/permits aside did they mention the build cost? Meaning strictly materials.

[@architecture.w]

A great design project! Lots of ideas here.

[@davewolf8869]

That is amazing!

[@maried3717]

The Mojave is a tough rugged place to live. Hated going out there as a kid in the 50s through 70s visiting relatives. Dry dry dry.

[@bhavens9149]

can you find out where he got his solar, I've been looking for solar with that sturdy footing. thanks

[@robincrook5630]

Wow! I LOVE that shower!

[@awitcheskid]

6:43 The pioneers used to ride these babies for miles.

[@cobyleone7]

It's not a boulder ... it's a rock

[@Some-person-dot-dot-dot]

That reference brings back memories. Back when that show was good.

[@dorcaspowellpowell5971]

What a amazing off grind smart home.

[@user-sq1gk3fr4i]

Interesting video - enjoyed this.

[@donneone]

The owner said there is a roof cover for that stargazing loft. Would have loved to see that mechanism. Otherwise, another interesting alternative dwelling . Thanks.

[@AcmePotatoPackingPocatello]

Very nicely done.

[@abramcollette]

Great vid thanks! What’s under the star gazing platform? Seemed like a lot of space unused? Storage?..

[@bhasursharma7372]

It is where he hides the bodies.

[@TiempoNuevo-ew7ty]

That that place is much more practical and great use of the space.

[@ytkealoha]

nice drone work. you always do interesting stuff

[@LindaWolfe20]

Most amazing ideas I have ever seen... if we were younger I would want that... WTG

[@frankduffy7471]

Malek , your design has so many fantastic features I can't believe it ! I am thinking of incorporating some of them for a cabin that I want to build in the U.P. of Michigan . The climate in the UP is totally opposite of your desert Folly and we get snow !

[@awerner8904]

Ingenious and so beautiful in its honesty….thank you for sharing these astonishing homes! My dream is to live in a house just like that one!

[@JimmyMushtaq]

Beautiful living space, thank you for sharing. I wonder where you get the water supply?

[@Maxid1]

The only folly I see here is calling this a Folly.

[@hotsauce3700]

I may have missed it but where do they get their water?

[@poisonwatersupply]

the ground

[@kodiakbear3519]

He probably had a water well drillled. There are a lot of water wells out there in the desert. Either that or sometimes people get their water delivered to their water tanks that they store water in . Sometimes the water tanks are above ground and sometimes there under ground. Some people say that the well water is more pure and taste better than city tap water. And speaking from experience i must say that . . . . It Does !

[@baskervillebee5748]

@@kodiakbear3519 Well water us better. Deeper the well colder the water.

[@ChrisNymanWeller]

Corey Mondello not necessarily. A well doesn’t cost more to drill in the desert than any place else. Cost is how far you are from the water table. Just because it’s a desert doesn’t necessarily mean you’re far from the water table....

[@jquest43]

kodiak bear well water is premature water and carries calcification of your body with it..unless restructured.

[@margaretrosin7853]

This is my favorite ❤️

[@glennbornsen6770]

Where do you get your water?

[@user-sq1gk3fr4i]

They get it delivered in 1 litre bottles from Europe🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@debvonr6786]

My question as well!

[@virtualspacenaut]

My dog only drinks Voss Artesian Water.

[@THEISAAC1593]

Such a lovely home

[@1951Roy]

Dc powered airconditioner split system was interesting.

[@CyclingSteve]

Engineer775 on KZbin features them regularly and gives lots of information about solar systems.

[@DavidKirtley]

I keep thinking about getting some but then I look at how long it would take to break even over grid power and just sigh. It is starting to get competitive but not quite there for me yet.

[@harrynut3044]

@@DavidKirtley Find a HVAC tech to install the AC Unit as side job, same for the rest of the work You are unable to do. That will save You thousands.

[@DavidKirtley]

@@harrynut3044 I was more thinking of the solar component. Air conditioning is the largest part of electricity usage where i live. The inherent problem with dealing with power companies with solar is the fact that electric companies are in the power selling business and not the power buying business. If you are not going grid connect, the recurring cost of batteries is the real weakness of solar power.

[@rayparr1]

Most everything in the world works with Dc power. The thing is that the standardized 120 Ac @50-60 Hz is converted or rectified to the specified Dc voltage in each unit through a Dc regulator.

[@AMYV3]

Hi there :) does anyone know what is housed under the outdoor bedroom. I think I missed that lol. Ty

[@Starlite123]

He is "off grid" yet he has Power and Telefone lines in his front yard on the property..?

[@2-bitsampler841]

He did say he was going to go all millennial on it. That's probably what he thinks is a milennial's idea of "off grid".

[@callmemaybe3114]

Wow! Love it! 😍😍😍

[@brittanyalexissinger]

Joshua Tree is full of CRAZY bugs and spiders. I would never sleep in an open zone like that.

[@jonlee2553]

First place I've ever seen an outdoor washer and dryer! I got home late from work one night and needed to wash my clothes before work the next day. I walked outside with my little flashlight, shined it on the wall outside, and immediately ran back inside. Horrifying.

[@johnknight9150]

I assume that was a Prius?

[@ParadoxdesignsOrg]

This would make the ultimate bug out shelter. Love the colors.

[@danstrayer111]

right..until the first time you needed ANYTHING

[@cybersurfer2010]

Pls show more of the technical installations... PV, heating, cooling, etc.

[@A0A4ful]

I'd stay there only to enjoy the Bluray clarity of the starlit night skies. Nightskyflix and Chill...

[@JudithAndersonakaJJ]

Boulder in the shower is so awesome!

[@The_Reality_Filter]

but is it $1000 a night awesome?

[@seecanon5840]

I've been here when I was a kid. Very hot during the day, but very cold at night.

[@LOOKA.B]

SUPER KIRSTEN THANKS FOR YOU VIDEO ARCHITEKTURES:p)

[@Echelon_Sky_Denver]

You avoided the most important question of all: where does the WATER come from!!!?

[@AlphaMachina]

There's a major (busy) highway just behind them. It's not like they're actually in the middle of nowhere. And there are homes all around them. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, at 3:17 there might be what looks like a big white water tower in the background, but also, civilization. You see all of the homes back there? There's water and electricity. See the power lines at 3:35? He's living off grid because he chooses to, not because there's no power or water provided. I'm not positive, but he might be using well water. Or a massive water tank that's refillable.

[@pamelawherey4583]

I think he stocks it the refrigerator for guests that pay to stay,(in bottle from a local store).

[@dougmartin7129]

girlonlaptop I have a house not far from this one. I pay $100 for 2000 gallons delivered

[@alixmeek8478]

Fridge full of plastic bottles 😂

[@HUNGRYHUSKY]

@@girlonlaptop how do you filter?

[@stevegerber169]

Why do people continue to use pipe ladders for loft access!? I've seen these in a number of video tours of tiny houses. Round ladder rungs are very uncomfortable to climb with bare feet. A flat rung/tred is far more comfortable.

[@blueman5924]

Steve Gerber Ladders, furniture,shelves,.. its a trend in diy design.

[@danstrayer111]

precisely why I despise trendiness.

[@lorenzojoneson]

if we could dub over this guy's voice, this would be a great vid

[@allancampbell8274]

Very nice

[@ronsmith1364]

Air BnB investment property/firm advertisement vehicle. Still nuts & bolts about the Solar battery/electrical system with the OS for use and control of the smart off grid dwelling (would make a nice video too). DC split ac really want to know where that unit came from (link please) Also rain harvest or well water system details would be nice to have. Also the metal sheathing or cladding repurposed or obtained from who? Many interesting ideas at work here. How durable is all the automation and repair costs when systems fail.

[@Spurs420]

I don't find it on AirBnb

[@SargonBighorn]

Well done. Small and to the point.

[@zapfanzapfan]

Perfect for a star party :-)

[@TheMrdiabolo]

''...to minimize the plumbing use''... oh and there's bunch of iPads over the place to keep track of energy

[@keithnoneya]

I like the off grid systems because I just don't like having a Power Company Noose around my neck like I have now. To me it's more about being self sufficient than being one with Gods Creation. Don't get me wrong I love being in Gods Creation and I love a house that is modern or old that can blend well with Gods Creation with minimal impact. To me that's part of being in Gods Creation as we are part of it and do have an impact on it, just as a river, a tree or a flood does on ground creatures. We are not foreign in Gods Creation, it was created for us and we are a part of it and should respect His gift to us and only impact it as needed for our self sufficiency and pleasure with respect to Him as a guest in His house. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes n Blessings. Keith Noneya.

[@lisad2701]

There is no god.

[@sflasurf]

What 12 volt mini-split are you using?

[@Daniel-vc1ce]

It does bother me that so many of these beautiful architectural spaces are ultimately just airbnb's. How can we talk about what a beautiful experience it is to live in a place when no one lives it more than a weekend.

[@solid1378]

Rustic luxury. Really great design and home. The only thing that needs improvement in design is the open deck/bedroom. Perhaps a better designed screen (for bugs at night) and perhaps some sort of cantilevered roof system. Thanks for this!

[@danstrayer111]

you have never been to the Mojave.

[@hedonisticmind]

How do you get water? For your faucets, shower and outdoor tub?

[@vicmiera3277]

Awesome job! Did you consider putting a Murphy Bed in the star gazing deck? This way it could be hidden from the outside elements and when up, it would/could have a bench for more the observation experience. I could find myself living in that beautiful home! Cheers.

[@mimiteas]

What is under the stargazing loft?

[@redheadedgypsy1939]

I believe he said it was his studio.

[@DecibelAlex]

looks like a garage

[@eleonoramaria]

Super cool !!!

[@lensrc7460]

I personally would not want to have to tap on a screen several times to turn a light on or off. When it's 2 am, and I am trying to get to the bathroom, I am not in any kind of state to deal with tech. "Who left the tablet in settings mode, dammit?! Now I gotta reset the whole damn thing! Where are my glasses?" "Turn the light on, please!" "Sorry, I cant. The system is updating"....Give me a switch on the wall that I don't have to think about. And those ladders to the beds are wack. How you gonna carry your snacks up there? Forget trying to have a bowl of cereal in bed.

[@danstrayer111]

Your comment very well shows the difference between off grid living and a millennial urbanite's wet dream about off grid living

[@skeets6060]

So how you holding up with the wind and cold out there right now?

[@tztz1949]

So explain to me how your off grid with a mini split?

[@blahblah60]

This is really nicely designed for the limited space.

[@mowilson5588]

Now this is super cool!!! 😎😎

[@TheToso13]

Great vid

[@walkerck]

The West Coast up speak, it's like nails on a chalk board.

[@jonothandoeser]

Yeah...

[@murraywagnon1841]

Born and raised in California and it irritates me too. It sounds apologetic. I'm pretty old, and I don't notice it in my generation. It seems more recent, and hear it predominantly with young people.

[@martymaloney1032]

Not all of the west coast.

[@samuelb6960]

That and the vocal fry it's like the whole generation is perpetually constipated.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

good, stay away

[@quorumlab]

Where does the water come from? Well or rainwater

[@77Tadams]

Love it!

[@NMgravel]

I love old becoming modern stories. That’s what I am doing with a 1900 Adobe school house in n NM

[@elizabethg9346]

I couldn’t see where the cover for the stargazing bedroom was!! Did I miss it somehow?

[@donaldfrazier5244]

If you didn’t know this area gets about 4 inches of rain per year and it can get cold enough to snow and 115 in the summer so it’s really harsh up in the high desert I lived near there for 7 years the park is very interesting to experience and close by

[@whatahowl1]

What do you do about the wind.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

gutsy. brilliant.

[@SkvalaGaming]

Great channel, gained a sub

[@dennismiller5725]

where and how do you store dc solar

[@jamesjohnson6280]

How much did all this cost

[@ichifish]

Beautiful design. I can see Malek is going to continue to do great things.

[@TheAdventurousHermits]

I love it.