Idaho modern oldtimer builds underground & solar $50 houses

Mike Oehler lived for over 30 years in an underground home that he built for $50 (and expanded for $500) on his land in Northern Idaho near the Canadian border. Now in his seventies his arthritis keeps him from hiking up to his home, but he continues to “write and proselytize”
In 1968 like thousands of other San Franciscans hoping to go “back to the land”, Oehler bought property and began to build a homestead. After spending a winter freezing in a small cabin, he designed a home that would use the earth as insulation. With his first attempt he fell into the easy errors of what he calls a “first thought house”: a hole cut into a hillside with south-facing windows.
Gradually he began to innovate with subterranean design, creating better ways for letting light in: among them “the Hollywood Wing”, “the Royer foyer”, gables and most-importantly the “uphill patio” (which also provides space for an earth-sheltered greenhouse). He also created an inexpensive, low-tech approach to basic design with what he calls PSP or Post/shoring/polyethylene.
Mike Oehler's "$50 & Up Underground House Book": www.underground...
On *faircompanies faircompanies....

[@vwbeasley94]

I’m mad when he was talking about packing the walls with earth he said “ and it’s dirt cheap “ and she didn’t even laugh at the beautiful pun. 😂

[@hoperules8874]

ikr? Such a good Dad joke!

[@jamesshaw3230]

I agree with you. She should really try and be funny back instead of such a butt. She's only after a story. Not careing for the reason for the story. Or who made the story happen.

[@suemeredith2779]

He's cool ,she sucks!

[@joansmith4965]

I picked up on that..loved it!

[@fahealey8722]

@Victor B I couldn't believe she didn't catch on to that either. it was an epic pun! What a remarkable examplle this gentleman was..I was saddened to hear of his passing. for up until hearing of his death, I was thinking seriously about how to get to Idaho to look him up RIP Mike Oehler may God Bless Your Dear Soul.

[@ShaneYiT]

Dang, the guy died only months after this was published. RIP to a great minds

[@paulsuprono7225]

Never know . . . when one's time, is up ! As it's been phrased - 'we're all on this earth, as short while.' Soooo . . . while you're here, try to make your mark, as best as you can/see it . . . in living it with value, and, living it in style ! 🇺🇸

[@paulsuprono7225]

Where were these castles created ?

[@foxfirelabradors5939]

@@paulsuprono7225 in the 70’s and 80’s I think. I bought his book years ago and bought a new copy just this year. It is so cool to get to see and hear him. Glad I found this.

[@loisa.powell8238]

RIP MIKE

[@66block84]

@@foxfirelabradors5939 Same here, bought his book late 1970's or early 80's, never built one, but always dreamed.

[@edyagger8779]

When an old person dies, another Library burns. Rest in peace Mike !

[@thewideawakeclub4843]

Ah no. Did he pass away? I guess the house was unfinished. That’s sad.

[@illfather7066]

The Wide Awake Club now I wanna know...poor guy

[@MrHellsing1055]

Ed Yagger unless they are trump supporters. Then it is a library not worth reading.

[@thinguswingus5602]

@@MrHellsing1055 trump is such a relatively new topic, you'd be throwing away years of knowledge because of the first chapter.

[@FalconTypo6]

What does that even mean.

[@weasle5173]

How many of us live at work so we can pay for a house we're hardly ever in..this guy has the key to happiness I think. I love this! ❤️

[@minionman6177]

Yes, it's a key Thoreau concept. In youth we work to buy and collect things then the maintenance of those things burden us through life. In the end we all want simplicity and seclusion.

[@A1DJPaul]

Everyone Works Every day to Pay for an OVERSIZED House they can NEVER Actually Enjoy. All weekend is Spent Gardening & Repairs etc. BONKERS FOOLS, Live in the Smallest Possible House in the Very BEST Location. ROOM ROOM , SPACE SPACE SPACE Etc = BONKERS IDIOTS With Far More Money than Brains. Tiny House& PRIME Location is the Secret to COMMON SENSE.

[@theozarksjourneytoself-suf5420]

That's what they teach the sheep to do.. when you fall for it, you become one of their victims.

[@Jarjarjar21]

Banksters own the world. "...The bankers own the earth. Take it away from them, but leave them the power to create money, and with the flick of the pen they will create enough deposits to buy it back again. However, take away from them the power to create money and all the great fortunes like mine will disappear and they ought to disappear, for this would be a happier and better world to live in. But, if you wish to remain the slaves of bankers and pay the cost of your own slavery, let them continue to create money."... - Josiah Charles Stamp, 1st Baron Stamp, GCB, GBE, FBA (21 June 1880 - 16 April 1941) was an English industrialist, economist, civil servant, statistician, writer, and banker. He was a director of the Bank of England and chairman of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway. Stamp was regarded to be the second wealthiest man in Britain at the time of his death.

[@TheKillermike83]

I'm 36 years old and I've struggled to make ends meet while taking care of my family. One thing I always wondered is what someone could accomplish in a lifetime of hard work,for one's self, and not the daily hampster wheel alot of us are living on.

[@FalconTypo6]

We only get one shot here and aren't coming back, so go for it... dream big. Anything is possible. 💞

[@pattystordahl3754]

Live with less. Work hard, grow your own food. Family all works together. No TV.

[@chris432t6]

@@pattystordahl3754 I feel the same. All tv is is entertainment. The only thing i learned from tv is how to turn it off. Older movies i enjoy but for most of my life i've been just fine without mainstream tv.

[@Brandtphenom]

So much it is unfathomable. Th e time to exit the hamster wheel is soon.

[@abittwisted]

@@Brandtphenom Time to exit the hamster wheel now. Not soon.

[@darleandanielson1366]

I had the honor of spending a few months with Mike at his place in Idaho in the Fall of 1995. My son and I got to be guests in the original $50 house, stayed in the tiny red house home, and helped butcher a bear. What a year! Thanks for everything Mr. Oehlers. Namaste

[@rudycolt45zigzag71]

I live near Bonners Ferry I've always wanted to see his build

[@marywegrzyn506]

Oh, how fortunate you got to be there w him !!! I'm kind of envious, I must admit. That must have been an adventure of a life time !! All the things you learned n experienced are priceless !!!! I'm so happy for you. You should maybe write a short story about being there w him n what he said n taught you n what you saw n felt n everything !!!

[@DNSMLT]

So cool.

[@jamesp7527]

I'm looking at this it seems you could bury a shipping container into the side of a hill?

[@andrewsalacina9705]

@@jamesp7527 better coat that shipping container with tar or flex seal . I have thought about the same thing for years . I'm saving up money to buy property right now . Then game on . Hopefully you already have property to do that project

[@Jaradis]

I've always wondered why people didn't build houses like this, or Hobbit houses, in areas with high tornado activity.

[@chrichico]

Jaradis so true

[@automaticreply]

In western Oklahoma the water table is so high basements will float only a few weeks after installation. Also flooding is a factor. Though Oklahoma does not have a beach, high tide will make the Cimaron and other rivers flow above ground when most of the time it's under the sand, depending on rain, etc.

[@four-x-trading5606]

Because there are restrictions with every piece of property you buy in the USA

[@trashypine6198]

The dirt is hard as hell to dig in Oklahoma...3 hours a day, I'm only getting 2x2 dug daily

[@Jezidka]

Someone in Washington state builds hobbit homes. I forget her name, but it was featured the channel

[@deadbeatcupcake]

This dude won me over with the bbq window. He deserves a Nobel Peace prize.

[@herbertmasing]

lol 100%

[@Anudorini-Talah]

its a perfect invention tho. Its a kids dream of being able to stay inside while cooking cozy outside simultaneously

[@nuffflavor]

For being a Hermit ? Then he has to stand in a long line.

[@africanqueenmo]

Exactly

[@indrazable]

he is amazing old fella ;)

[@Victoria-dh9vb]

"We were biting off more than we could chew, but what we could chew was wonderful." Love it.

[@aleshahansen5871]

Don't eat my grandpa! He is delicious!

[@dopedrums]

Schrooms, maan!

[@EdgetonWolfeDrezwellington]

Chew? Step into a Slim Jim. Ready to leave my home for a Hobbit Home. Actually, seriously, I've wanted similar most life since I was a teen. I'm handicapped in a chair with muscular Dystrophy hoping not to die at home. Still hoping and looking for anyone possible to a similar home and transportation. Start life over secluded. Peace and quiet.

[@davidfairall813]

Wow, what a great video. My name is David Fairall and I and my family lived at Mike's for over a year helping him get his last book The Earth Sheltered Solar Greenhouse Book published. I was one of the artists and did all the computer work to put the book together to send into the printers. In that book Mike wrote a very nice tribute to my contributions to it but really it was Mike who did that great and wonderful book. I learned so much from him and have tons of funny and crazy stories. I just found out Mike passed on this year and I am so sad. Mike was one of a kind. It was my building school group who built, roofed and put soil on top of his disaster room he shows off on his hillside. Later working for Mike I helped supervise several building school teams save and improve his Ridge House. Great experiences living and working with Mike. I don't know if anyone knew this, but Mike deeply cared about people and always sent free books to people in prison who asked for a copy. He was also a very very good cook and his homemade soups and grilled steaks were famous with his building schools and guests. I will always love you Mike and our family of four me, Jill, Ian and Hannah say farewell old friend.

[@Jugurtha33]

David Fairall thank you for sharing your knowledge of this inspirational man.

[@zakirahhakim1097]

thank you for sharing.i cried when i heard Mike passed from this dimension.he is one of a kind.my wish to live like Mike.remainds me of my dad too.

[@Synicizm]

I'm sorry for your loss. He seemed like a very intelligent, imaginative guy, and I'm glad for you and your family that you got to know him. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on him.

[@kencabinson9720]

David Fairall How do I find his book. What is his last name? And is it on Amazon?

[@kevinsbott]

David Fairall what a wonderful tribute! Thanks to people like you he will not be forgotten.

[@DIDYOUSEETHAT172]

YES EXACTLY! I was a partner in a construction company, I designed an underground house and tried to convince my partners to build a prototype. Could not get anyone to go for it. For my own houses, as a single person I built houses with apartments in the basement, separate power meters for main floor and basement. I live in the basement apartment and rent out the main above ground house. Just make sure if you build a house for that purpose the main separating floor needs to be sound proofed concrete, not wood. In other words you build a concrete house underground, then build another house on top of it to rent out for extra $$$$ :)

[@happyguy2k]

You'll have to sell the idea to younger influencers and watch it go popular

[@barbarataylor3644]

P

[@Cheapers-Vac]

Did you ever take a hard look at using Hemp-Crete blocks , or forms filled and packed down ? They seem to be bullet proof.

[@Andrea.1tree]

@James Bond It matters how thick the earth is packed, and what type of weapon/ammo you are utilizing.

[@JR-HeavenonEarth]

I wish this video went more into plumbing... where to bathe etc.

[@ScootsMcPoot]

I come back and watch this alot because he reminds me of my grandpa. Like exactly like him. The way he talks. His witty remarks. His genius. Gets me choked up. I never thought there was another man like my grandpa.

[@99hourvideos]

Reasons to build underground: 1: Warm in winter, Cool in summer. 2: Half the building materials 3: Build it yourself with hand tools 4: Less taxes. "What for this hole in the ground?!" 5: Aesthetically pleasing 6: Can be built by anyone 7: Camouflage it so it can't be found 8: It's defensible 7: Takes up none of earths growing surface 8: Radiation resistant 9: Tornado Proof

[@NarcassiticGamer]

um bud, the house in this video would in no way be radiation resistant, and tornadoes are rare enough in idaho to not worry about to begin with

[@AlphaGiraffe420]

Bad for Flooding though

[@virterisvirteris856]

Its on a hill

[@alphasxsignal]

Floods and land slides wipe it out.

[@APheonixPretense8]

This isn't a flood zone...duh

[@JamesOliverLindsey]

"Its dirt cheap" ahahaa, good one dad

[@roberthutchins3435]

The Time Of Cave Men Is Gone ,Seven Billion ,And Growing Daily,Get Real.

[@michaelalguire419]

Lol 😂

[@organikness]

@@roberthutchins3435 lolwut

[@unclejack41]

@@roberthutchins3435 you can move in with your dirtbag neighbors then. Stay outta the woods Sissy !!

[@IvanOoze1990]

@@roberthutchins3435 I don't think you know what real is.

[@quickfacts7939]

Underground houses don't burn very well....lol genius!! Old timer intelligence they don't teach in school.

[@nathanallen6411]

10:48 “we were biting off more then we could chew, but what we could chew was wonderful” I remember reading his first book when I was a kid. It has been an inspiration to this day. RIP Mike 😢

[@koneko3774]

I'm grateful that you caught this man on camera, especially since now that he's gone, I can come back and see him again whenever I want

[@koneko3774]

He's a good soul.

[@StarwalkerProject]

I miss the old guy. I've read his books for a few years now and started working with him all thanks to Paul Wheaton. And then I noticed that Mike hadn't called back from my last question to him and then I heard. We were working on publishing two new books! I hope someone does it. They were great little books! RIP Mike. Be the best hippy you can be in Valhalla!

[@howardfortyfive9676]

Pack your garbage out when you do.

[@darrelljacobjr2120]

I am greatly saddened to hear of his passing. I visited Mike on his Idaho property back in 1992. I stayed there in a small cabin, down on the flat land on the north side of the ridge, for about a month.

[@mac1hundo539]

he passed? what a loss. I just commented on wanting to meet him and possibly work on a project of his for nothing more than to obtain his knowledge and know how

[@FowlersMakeryandMischief]

Rally like this my wife and i live in a yurt and are preparing to build a hybrid house half below ground. Im planing on Vloging about it on my channel. This video has given me some grate ideas to incorporate into my design,

[@donrussell8889]

back before you won the clear 1/4 mill, apparently.

[@shanefowler6432]

Is that you, Papa?

[@paulsuprono7225]

That's 'great' ideas ! 😄

[@craig221]

Whats with the all the spelling mistakes 😕

[@ValeriaVincentSancisi]

I think he is right about the natural light being necessary.

[@didgegirl6]

This just popped up on my YT feed and I'm glad it did. This guy was a genius with underground house design to get as much natural light as possible while keeping drainage at a minimum. Thank you so much for this. I've been planning to make a home of my own and this definitely gives me some different ideas.

[@TheGreasypancake]

I love this video, I've watched it a few times and only found out today he had passed away a few years ago. Rest in peace Mike you are truly a great guy.

[@lookingbehind6335]

Reminds me of the sod houses in Iceland. They know a thing or two about keeping warm.

[@katemaloney4296]

They have to; they live in Iceland.

[@SargonBighorn]

A Hippy! A real Hippy. Not the fake modern ones. Now in his 70s. Totally cool. I've met other Hippies in N. California that did the same things. Very creative guy.

[@kencabinson9720]

SargonBighorn Exactly. hippies don't live in 3,000 apartments like the ones in NYC who wear long beards and lumber flannel shirts and dirty sneakers. fake wannabes. This guy is real.

[@heavenlyelizabethangeliah152]

SargonBighorn hi I'm a hippie✌💖🌈 Im 31 but have been a hippie my whole life😊 we are still here! just poor and high so i try to be the best version of myself but its hard these days I'm planning on opening a community housing garden project soon!

[@trumpkinland3374]

There are a lot of us hippies in the inland northwest. Mike was well known at our barter faires around here.

[@cavscout888]

He mentions this type of structure is 'easy to camouflage' and is 'defensible.' Not exactly the true 'hippie.' Also, he builds things.

[@Luminous.Dynamics]

@@kencabinson9720 Those are hipsters

[@hookandcook23]

this man represents a dying breed in America today everyone alive today needs to watch and learn from him and realize that we must live frugally to be happy and sustainable with our mother earth

[@TinyTalesBookClub]

have you done the math? have you actually taken a city and calculated the amount of space? we would take up all the space on the planet and everything else would die if the world did this. our populations are too big for this now. We need cities and mass farming to survive, we just need to figure out how to do it more sustainably.

[@hookandcook23]

did you ever consider that maybe there are to many of us and that maybe we shouldn't have ever reached a population this high if you really think about it we are kind of like viruses the way we consume all the resources in an area and forever expand to new areas continuing to consume everything I personally believe we are vastly overpopulated on this planet and in the coming decades this will take its toll on our race mass starvation, droughts, and many other things

[@TinyTalesBookClub]

Bradley Simmons or we could have barely enough to start exploring space. resources are near infinite, have you ever considered we are natures new way of organizing energy?

[@armsox]

malthusianism is bunk

[@jerryheck5344]

so WHO do think should be killed!!! would YOU DO IT??? YOU people all want to cut down the population as long as it's NOT YOUR FAMILY!!!!

[@Trollioli]

This is all well and good until some paper pushing wanker comes along and says you can't build the way you want to build in the place you want to build.

[@BrianKrahmer]

that's what brings a lot of people to north idaho. he's up in Boundary county. I built my first house in Bonner county, the one next to the south. a simple building permit process with no building inspections. and surprisingly, there don't seem to be many safety issues or rampant crappy buildings

[@misskim2058]

Yep, and the world is full of those wankers.

[@misskim2058]

@@BrianKrahmer that’s because people who are enterprising enough to build their own house of a unique nature are also usually smart enough to consider a lot of sources, they go to the people who have done their trial and error for them, and they go out of their way to build it better than any code would have them build. They also use plain old common sense, a rare trait these days. The lack of common sense that has become prevalent, especially in the younger generation is terrifying. It’s surprising that they can tie their own shoes, and maybe they can’t.

[@pipfox7834]

@Miss Kim you made my day! :)

[@matthewmontgomery31]

This old man doesn't care about anything ,even looping his belt all the way through..I hope to be like him one day.

[@irrationalman2363]

haha my favorite comment

[@charlesneely4008]

Women always talking about they can't find a real man where here is right here but that's okay because he don't want none of you fake Kim Kardashian social justice Warrior feminazi and nasty type of woman so sorry ladies he's not available he's happy and content the way it is

[@lindatreptow7694]

He's. Living quite good. Linda Milwaukee wis

[@weekendatbernies2265]

He cared about the Important things, the rest was just a missed belt loop 🤣

[@soccerboss7924]

I'm sad he passed. What a nice and brilliant man

[@Gasp7000]

Soccerboss792: I'm sure he'll do angel work inspiring others, ☺️.

[@unprofor9394]

THIS, is how We made Our’s Root-Cellars in Scandinavia, for Hundreds of Years... It’s a good Idea, to build something, like this. Whatever; Great Video. I liked IT. Thank You!😀👍

[@kymspicks2763]

I just bought a house that I plan on converting to off grid, I plan on making a root cellar in my hill as you mentioned.

[@darensmith5270]

GREEN living at its best!👍👍👍💚💚💚

[@lizinawe]

would love to be younger and have a partner to build such a perfect house..

[@lizinawe]

@John Brier ja ja.. am in love with you already.. ja ja..have a good day.

[@lindamoser6317]

I agree and felt the same as watching the video. Where r they?? Always love being in the forest and nature. Mike was so smart and had the right idea.

[@pattystordahl3754]

Me too. I am now widowed only 66. Have nice sellable property. Love to hide away in Red State.

[@cheremichael367]

Lol, same problem here in Oz!! So just gonna do it myself- me + the fur kids..😄

[@letsgofast6859]

@@cheremichael367 NSW or QLD? ✊🏾

[@masonreynolds822]

learning carpentry i wanna build self sufficient houses like this. people are just too stuck in the pickett fence mindset

[@andibowe6890]

Also try rice or straw bale home building permaculture etc. I am ready I have land if anyone Would like to help me build... off grid. But access to 500 gal a week I need an rv or

[@andibowe6890]

Check out the Nebraska earthhouses?

[@andibowe6890]

Here is the Nebraska earthhouse

[@garlandremingtoniii1338]

Mason Reynolds You look like a picket fence!!!!!!! You Vashon Island boy!!!!!!!!!

[@dan26dlp]

Don't forget zoning laws. Its not just learning the skills to leave white picket fences behind, but also the NIMBYs that want to stop sustainability. Zoning laws have been co-opted to making houses that suit infrastructure to a way to oppress the working class.

[@annoythedonkey]

This is one old timer I would be proud o call a friend and learn from

[@jeanetteschulthe1andOnly]

His wife and children are digitizing and putting out all his books.

[@woreoutdavinciconstruction4060]

nothing to learn from him unless your the same age and did a project 30 years ago

[@elcruzer5514]

I bet he's got an acre of weed secreted close by.

[@pipfox7834]

@wore out Da Vinci you do realise that every social movement has have pioneers to blaze the way, and show its possible by the sweat of their brow? Earthships, hobbit houses and all the rest that are seen now have their genesis in the efforts of guys like Mike.... I know a couple of them, and buildiing knowledge is only PART of their wisdom. What have you done lately that's as impressive as this?

[@peterfotopoulos8325]

I can't help to keep thinking about drainage Sorry to hear about his passing but he left us with a legacy that not many people have followed

[@recklessmermaid]

he has a whole chapter on drainage, you should look up his book; it's online, on his website

[@colinellis8661]

Is it only me. I think its an absolute load of crap.Good lord whats the matter with you people. so he is old , but not that old he is only in his seventies . sorry I just cant listen to the garbage he comes out with .

[@jeanetteschulthe1andOnly]

Don't worry they will be.

[@jeanetteschulthe1andOnly]

@@colinellis8661 then don't

[@bumblebee0369]

colin ellis ......you shush you. .Old wisdom is the best wisdom. I don’t care if you agree with it or not. Not everyone agrees with what someone says. Take it with a grain of salt. You might learn something. 😉

[@Godluvs1000]

He sounds like an amazing person full of knowledge and wisdom. We need more people like him that still knows how to off the land like our Great Grandparents did their parents lived. It would benefit us all to learn how to live off the land.

[@dannyarrowheadstalker3054]

Look up "the lost ways" book. A lifetime of old knowledge that you're looking for.

[@rishi-m]

@@dannyarrowheadstalker3054 cheers for the recommendation, will check it out!

[@nightmaresturningoftendejavue]

How he keeps them dry? I mean rain and all? I think majority were abandoned, because of rain, so it is not so simple…or?

[@trillgates2452]

It's like he's playing Minecraft in real life!

[@big120treez]

Favorite Comment 😊💜

[@corncobjohnsonreal]

how do you even start a life like this? I'm going to live off grid and this seems like one of the best ways to. I was thinking of a tiny home, a portable one, but I'd rather own land, plus this seems way cheaper. all I want is a little fun home and a bunch of synthesizers

[@snuker7146]

Corncob Johnson just become a weirdo

[@corncobjohnsonreal]

Snuker I am weird but not the fun weird like the I have no friends weird

[@gabrielcundari3104]

Corncob Johnson "live off the grid" 😂 . . . this this isn't Doomsday Preppers.

[@corncobjohnsonreal]

Gabriel Cundari what?

[@ttamage]

Corncob Johnson baby steps. Or you read and study lot before you go out there and try.

[@theamericanpatriotparty7066]

wow i envy this setup. Im in australia and if you done this on your own block and/or private farm the council would fine you and make you pull it down. Not to mention it would be your nieghbours who would dob you in? this is how we live these days. I can not hunt for my food on my property, protect myself and property with firearms unless permissions, approvals etc from the government. Grow my own produce without permits for pultry etc and electronic tags for goats, must be registred and approved by council because of disease outbreats (the last being 140 years ago). It is not even possible for me to camp and live on my own property without spending many thousands for building plans, etc The right to live free movement has been made illegal and impossible in australia. Even shipping containers must have council approval in my council by permit and aproval. Its revenue raising and control even if you own your own property it is impossible just about to live on it. Unless you stealth camp/live on the property you have paid for. My familys property was searched by government officials to see if anyone was living in the shed my father had built. This is a 700 acre property and the nearest nieghbours is 4-5 kms away. If this is not big brother Im not sure what is. It has since been robbed twice by the same criminals twice at a loss after insurance at over $20,000. Thanks to the ICE epidemic (stated by the police) as they found several items pawned for quick cash and was known history of the offenders. Even though noone would ever see or notice if anyone was staying on the property it is still illegal for me to setup the way of life i want to and to protect it (Several tons of timber has also been taken on the property) And that is even with the access to this property, still enslaved to the system only until i save up to $100,000-$200,000 to build legally on property in which is owned and paid for?

[@robbieallen899]

Steven Gee dam its startin here.

[@yoyojoe9240]

Steven Gee ...You could sell the property, buy some land in western texas, USA....build a small Log home.....and be happy.

[@garystinten9339]

Jose R V I've seen acreage in the us.. like 2.5 grand an acre.. upto you how to supply yourself with utilities.. makes me want to buy a few and just fuck off this country.

[@garystinten9339]

+manos3790 awesome. would love to have a small patch with a shed on each continent.. just as "weekender" style setups.. where I could easily live for a few months at a time.

[@garystinten9339]

+manos3790 I'm in Australia

[@sarobinson56]

Thank you for making this film, Kirsten. Warms my heart to see your kids there and Mike rocking the hammock bed. A true hippie, he lived the hippy ethic fully. I was gifted the '$50 and Up' book when it first came out and spent hours dreaming of and sketching inexpensive, earth-bermed house designs. In the end, I went conventional as practicality and economic conditions warranted it for me, but most of Mike's concepts are reasonable, if modified for modern application. RIP Mike, back to the earth, buddy.

[@Wickedreptiles]

Woman: reminds me of a bear lair. Guy: reminds the bears of a bear lair too! Had me rollin

[@daleval2182]

Yeah that was priceless comment

[@charleshenry7584]

I found your comment just as he was saying it. 😆

[@KlunkerRider]

Is this the "Build an underground house for $50" book guy from back in the 70s? I have that book, its still applicable today. (edit) now on my Desktop I can see the full description, it gets blocked on my Tablet.

[@YouFoundBen]

KlunkerRider Yes. That's him.

[@samualiam9981]

KlunkerRider I like your avatar.

[@KlunkerRider]

YouFoundBen Thanks I was watching without sound so I wasn't sure, the house looked awfully familiar.

[@KlunkerRider]

Samual Iam Ein barked to say "Thanks"

[@008808800]

KlunkerRider No, in most cities and counties it is not applicable. There are UDC's now..... In an ideal world, in an ideal place....them days are gone!

[@cozyflannel]

What a sweet smart guy. Sad to hear he's gone. I wish I could've talked to him to tell him how scared I am of bugs and ask if they're a problem in these houses just to see him look at me like I'm an idiot.

[@guccijayy2033]

How do you know he's dead?

[@cozyflannel]

he died on Feb. 2, 2016.

[@annettecabezas6697]

that's sad

[@tmobilesucks3090]

You hate bugs, I found 6 scorpions in my house, 7 outside, 2 black widows, fire ants The bugs up there I would gladly deal with....oh yeah killer bees.

[@robertclarkguitar]

Tmobile Sucks I agree with your name. lmao

[@kt9495]

“I can’t guarantee it’s not gonna collapse on us.” 😂 I love him. What a great guy. RIP Mike. Thank you for your contribution. 🌿💙

[@jcoburn3590]

Lol. Her response was funny.

[@AlisaMountainlionHillsBrigades]

He died? That's sad 😢

[@gemineye9796]

These houses remind of the lord of the rings “ hobbit homes”. Watching this definitely triggers the creative side of doing what most people dream of (Building and owning their own home) Thank you for sharing.

[@somenamewhatever2809]

I was 13 when the "Movement Migration" took place, it was one of the inspirations I had early on, unfortunately, I lived on the other side of the states and got caught up in the "things of society"....now that I am an old baby boomer, my spirit has returned back from whence I came....I have dreamed that the home my Dad left me, has the upper floor removed, with the basement left intact and the earth top replacing it....but I am only a little tiny lady now and this may always be my dream...It is a good one tho and maybe, one day...

[@sept21-urgentseemyaboutdes2]

I'd be happy to help fulfill your dream.. You furnish supplies and I'll furnish labor..

[@masonic777]

They don't want people to do this cause government and business, one and the same if big business like Mansanto, Walmart, etc, etc can not have Control and make money value from it in order to elevate themselves... Ancient Aboriginal Indigenous people, the 1st people all over the planet, have always done this and still do.. Love this old guy and others like it!!! Peace, power and Prosperity!!!

[@TheNinjasniper12]

F*** the government, We the People the civilians of this country could easily overthrow the government and change it to what we need it to be.

[@charlesneely4008]

plus Israel can't collect no taxi from people that's not working and not on the grid system

[@brandonmehrabi268]

Yeah who writes the codes? The construction industry. Can't build with anything alternative and if you do you need to pay an engineer thousands to say it's safe. So if you got enough money you can build a house for free but if you don't have money you gotta build a house that costs money. Makes sense!

[@soupflood]

@@TheNinjasniper12 That's anything but easy, even if the Army doesn't shoot at the protesters. All it takes is a few hundred ill-intentioned armed individuals spread among the army and civilians to make things hard for the protesting revolutionaries.

[@jenniferbringman9054]

Dennis Keith Mooney JR. We would need to all agree! Good luck on that! Also we would be fighting those who want to control others! Look at the guy who was turned in for building his house in Europe ! There is always a Karen or Karl who can’t keep their nose out other people’s business and break their necks to turn people in!

[@MarkBoulders]

This man was a Saint. It is sad to hear he passed away, but he lived an honest life. He treated the Earth as if his mother. A beautiful soul.

[@maryalice5357]

The Earth IS our mother. Treat her accordingly.

[@neuralkernel]

A guy who doesn't like to wear shoes writing a book in his underground house...

[@Nardypants]

Eric Martin I know, right?

[@rdoriog]

And next to his shelter for a nuclear attack

[@ncmartinez_his]

Eric Martin Sounds like the definition of "hobbit."

[@The_Gallowglass]

Neil Martinez Indeed. Sounds like me. An I'm overly fond of food, the pipe and uisce beatha.

[@aaronrodriguez110]

Eric Martin doesn't like to where shoes my ass. Fucker put them on the moment he hit the side of the hill. Not buying it ... guy's a delusional fraud.

[@recipesfordisaster2104]

This guy is a weathered survivor and gentleman in one.

[@FepXBL]

“This is my barbecue window, and down there is my campfire window”

[@Mei-st5bq]

"underground homes don't burn very well" why isn't california making more Earth integrated homes...also love the sense of humor...it's dirt cheap lol

[@johnvalencia9927]

because the state is filled with slow moving, unmotivated retards who run things?

[@scrappydee7262]

And unjust "building codes"....keeps people from building more environmentally friendly homes and yet they scream "sustainable development" Ya.....s m a r t c i t i e s for them.....dumb for "us"😔

[@edithdavis2848]

Could it be that Underground is NOT the place to be in an EarthQuake area.

[@Mei-st5bq]

Well... good point but if Tokyo can deal with earthquakes in sky rises we should be able to figure out something... To the Engineers!

[@midwestron8576]

California building codes are the most stringent on the planet. It takes three times the money, and five times as long to build anything there. It is to deter people from moving there.

[@stanislauscorruption3295]

I'm less than a minute into this video and I wish this was my grandpa

[@jamesday6605]

Louis Theroux interviewed him in Head for the Hills. Legend of a guy.

[@thefonzkiss]

* Weird Weekends : Survivalists. He was also in Weird Christmas.

[@DanjaZone]

this man and his natural born gumption is what this world lacks!

[@sinisterfoxy]

Thank you for this wonderful video! I just ordered his "$50 and Up Underground House Book" and "The Earth-Sheltered Solar Greenhouse Book." I left NYC last summer and am now living semi-off grid in the country. This is just the info I've been looking for! What an inspiring man Mike seems to have been.

[@plreefer71]

The houses underground are called earthling homes I lived in one that my dad mom and me and 2 sisters built from scratch I lived in it till I turned 18 and my dad still lives there and it has 10 rooms and you can mow the roof an I loved it an I still love it. We are very proud of it.

[@charlesneely4008]

Wow that's so 18th century

[@Thornspyre]

@@charlesneely4008 assuming thats a positive comment rather than an asinine one, thats a strange century to choose, as the 18th had pretty much no underground houses and people generally had lots more brothers and sisters

[@TheRealNewWhirledOrder]

@Thornspyre I don't trust any history past a hundred years and even then most of it is lies.

[@mysticdavestarotmachinesho5093]

I would imagine that if some of the homes that were lost due to the fires in Calaforcation would still be there if they were built like this but, and the big but, is the local building codes would probably not allow it.

[@marquelladavis1472]

Wow I would live to see that not being a weirdo it just sounds amazing

[@MjaySenoj]

I just bought his book. this man was truly inspirational and i hope it helps his family as well. rip friend :)

[@VikingPreparedness]

Thank you so much! I bought Mike's book when it came out and I was just a young lad. Inspiring.

[@fringestream990]

Did you end up using any of his ideas?

[@ghgghgyuhkljjijijui]

+VikingPreparedness EXACTLY what I signed in to say.Thank you Kirsten! And Mike,This is a real treat!

[@MyFREEFrugalHomestead]

Hey I tune into your Channel also, V.P. Enjoy looking in on your building.

[@Rick_Sanchez_C137_]

I have his $50 book....one of the best books I ever bought. As he was talking about the Bears I was thinking about the pic of the bear in his book, and that old surplus rifle he shot it with.... while I may never put his book to use in a construction project, it is information I have in my toolbox in case of need.

[@manuelgoncalves6316]

VikingPreparedness 9

[@1jasonover]

I think we're running out of intelligent people like this, unfortunately

[@kenhiett5266]

Yea, this crazy old coot is a real genius. Hahaha

[@manelew7482]

Fluoride

[@heathermunoz6282]

Indeed we are.

[@relaxingwhitenoisenatureso1111]

With the world economy going to crap it will come back.

[@TheAlienFleet]

imdahG nobody said that. Walk out on the street of any big city and find me 5 people who could design, build, and live in a house with minimal connection to the outside world. Yes, it’s not skills someone has to have in our lazy modern world, but it’s skills that someone should have.

[@mainHERO88]

Kirsten, can you please make more videos about underground homes and hobbit homes? This video and the one about the underground home in Oregon are my favorite videos of yours! I really love your entire channel tho ;)

[@RUBIZEN]

Banks don't want to loan you $500. They want to loan you $250,000.

[@mikeshobbiesandrandomstuff]

+RUBIZEN 500 was a lot in 1968

[@waswestkan]

+RUBIZEN You're doing something wrong of yo need to borrow $500 Even if you do it wouldn't be hard to find a bank to loan you $500 if your collateral id worth $500.

[@RUBIZEN]

Well, my point was that banks make more money on big loans not little loans. I bet you could make a container house for about 20k. Also, I tried to get an auto loan fron 5/3 bank a few years ago. I had more than a few thousand in collat. but the lady almost laughed when I asked for an auto loan.

[@StarwalkerProject]

You ask for a signature loan and $500 is yours with no collateral. All you need is a job. That's simple. You can buy this house with a credit card if you had to. Another thing is to run a kickstarter for your off-grid home and make $10,000. $500 is easy.

[@LaDayna04]

That is funny and true.

[@lieugebo805]

very cozy love this stuff, I didn't know he passed away God rest his soul. A rare person that if we had more of this earth would never have ended up this way...

[@kt-zn4yu]

lieu Gebo climate change can still be reversed theoretically so don’t stop fighting, homie !!

[@kathyarbeiter1367]

I bought and read Mike's book on underground house building, several decades ago. Changed the way I think about housing!

[@onetalentedman2822]

Amazing man sadly he has past away but left a lot to think about regarding house building & so cheap. He never stoped creating , who thinks out side the box & gets his ideas & thoughts built this is the way forward. To think the government still wants taxes off the man & those like him is so greedy. WELL DONE YOUR LIFE WAS SPENT WELL SIR.

[@luciamakayed817]

Does he have to pay taxes for this surviving ....place?....

[@josephbest2706]

Get some wifi in there and add some solar panels and I'm set.

[@Theressomethingwrongwiththem]

+ Joseph Best 👍

[@kkknotcool]

and 1/5th the cost of living in the city. If you could really get internet makes me want to make a few hundred grand then retire.

[@fig4159]

If you had a few hundred grand, you wouldn't NEED to. You could always get satellite internet.

[@kkknotcool]

Julie Figueroa I want to retire on that money, so I would need to live on the interest. (like 15 grand a year) I think unlimited satellite internet cost a lot.

[@zakayadalisay3640]

Wifi is bad for the body.

[@NickRoman]

"it's dirt cheap" lol

[@reeblesnarfle5443]

Sums it up to a T !

[@Bondo00824]

Brilliant. This video as well as others are extremely beneficial. Great information. I love hearing from those before us. We have so much to gain. As a young man in life at 37, any age is young. So as a young man. These ideas are fascinating. The level of thought and effort that go into these, free sustainable housing is incredible. I take my hat off to those who are continually stepping outside the box to inspire others to create and enjoy. What a wonderful video. Thank you.

[@reeblesnarfle5443]

This man is amazing, and a legend! He started the underground house movement. People don't do enuf homework before they think they know it all. This man lived it!!! He is the dinosaur of underground dwellings!

[@Thes564]

i have to greatly honor this man as he was amazing and has lived the life ive always wanted.

[@hmax1591]

A man ahead of his time. Thanks for sharing.

[@CarolinaSantacruzO]

I always dreamt of marrying a smart, funny guy like him. RIP Mike, man like you are what makes the world wonderful.

[@bealtainecottage]

"...working with her, with the Mother..." Mike is a wise, wise, man!

[@nicholasaleksandra4059]

How are you doing Pretty

[@littlebull8881]

what a lovely warm hearted old timer' I could well spend my days there chilling out with him' peaceful bliss

[@zwarst]

This technique is called "Earth Sheltered", excavation is the most costly yet countered by the no cost for foundations, more if excavated earth can be reused. Lumber & windows can still be obtained creatively in an urban enviroment ie: reuse. It would be interesting to see a civil engineer/Architects produce designs based on Mikes ideas for mainstream. A small community development based on Mikes philosophy would be fascinating. Long life & prosper Mike - lets group fund Mike's dream home!?

[@Hunnter2k3]

zwarst That is one of the things I love about the idea of building underground. A lot of that ground can be used towards building materials. If most is dirt, you could mix it with a few small things to increase the overall binding of it, stone, less so. Form that in to bricks, boom, good solid building materials. You don't even need to do the brick method either, you can just pour it in to wooden wall frames to add more strength to it. This could also even be used to build deeper in to the ground to help support the earth above it.

[@zwarst]

Kris Johnstone Hi there, an alternative to Mikes wooden above ground walls is to use the excavated dirt with a glay, sand & cement / water mix & pour the mix to build a wonderful load bearing mud brick wall, totally insitu - ie: no kilm required! see - www.formblock.com.au/

[@DiligentT-yp4jf]

zwarst cool stuff you said .i think i would know what it might look like ,the hole neighborhood under ground.

[@stevesmasher6028]

new world order financiers would not like that very much...

[@wyattdetherow6853]

this is literally like a 30 or so minute drive from my childhood home lol

[@GiantArtProductions]

This is absolute genius!! Every prepper should invest in structures like these.

[@kinggainz8742]

this guy got a name for everything! i call this the cool room.

[@DGinNC]

I've wanted to do what he's done, build a house close to or in the mountains, that's self sufficient, electrical power, water source with pressure and heat, a means of growing and storing and cooking food, maybe some livestock (I like eating meat). Biggest problem how does one get to a point in life that they can do all this, time and money? Were so connected to the grid of civilization it's seemly impossible to disconnect fully. Most of the jobs we work hold no direct bearing to our life, we buy food we didn't have a part in growing or producing, we live in a house or apartment we had no stake in building. Food and shelter are the only things in life we really must have. But how many of us could provide those things if we were left to our own devices?

[@fortitude9932]

Why not do it?

[@AscheDjidoi]

You don't need to keep livestock to eat meat. You just have to hunt/trap.

[@blarmosanchez2593]

It's easier than you think and you will learn fast. Once you get out to the middle of the nowhere you'll find good people who have done what you want to and they will help you. The hardest part is the initial decision.

[@AnthonyIlstonJones]

You don't need to keep animals to eat meat, in fact it's more enjoyable to eat it if you have it less often (you appreciate it more).

[@angelahipolito8829]

Nice

[@terrycollier6127]

This is so neat!! I'm wondering how the wet soil does not rot the wood. I absolutely love this!! You could do so much with it :) Way to go-- You are so smart

[@donnievarnado6958]

can somebody please give me information on how to get his books because I definitely want to build me a house like that. awesome awesome knowledge. is he really gone? if he's really gone that is so sad to hear about this...

[@JamesBongo]

Donnie Varnado he wrote a book called "the $50 dollar & up underground house book" his name is Mike oehler

[@2797kat]

Donnie Varnado

[@dirtydan179]

For anyone wanting to know more about Mike, he was on two episodes of Louis Theroux's docummentary series "Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends". One episode was about Mike, the other was with Mike and a couple other people who were also shown on the show, spending Christmas together in New York city.

[@mac201112]

Thanks

[@celimendez7620]

the entry way reminds me of Winnie The Pooh ♡

[@never2old-sd638]

😂

[@martyairey1764]

"Christopher Robin and I walked along, under branches lit up by the moon..." Piglet's Theme"...

[@marynieder8264]

a very wise woman once told me, "You know, every human is an autobiography You just have to take the time to read their book!" I have lived with that nugget of wisdom for over 35 years and tried to live by it. I sure wish I could have read this man's book, personally that is to meet him. RIP

[@marag1568]

Such a cute and sweet person

[@rosemarybrooks333]

Mara G

[@TopShelf69420]

Mara G hey babe

[@ssimon64]

Mara G hey babe

[@gator6599]

Mara G hey babe

[@TheShape.]

Mara G hey babe

[@tammiebroggins]

I'm homeless I would give a lot to be able to live there that is wonderful

[@bullshitethirty9590]

If you can make it up to Elma Washington there is a real great place called Set Free that takes in the homeless. You can look it up on Google for yourself too. But if you are too far away there are places like it all over the place. Good luck out there!

[@danielgorzelniak3209]

Homeless on internet? Also cant u build it urself? It costed just 50$ so thats just few hours of work for minimal wage

[@mushman6045]

Tammie Broggins take bus or hitch hike. How are you o KZbin

[@Bawby]

Lots of people nowadays have cellphones. Basically portable conputers. If you got free wifi, you can do anything. i was in a sinilar situation and i had a laptop and would use free wifi areas to see where i would hitchhike next. I walked across the whole state of florida. Now im not on the streets anymore. Thank god. Basically internet access is everywhere.

[@danielgorzelniak3209]

@@Bawby everywhere? Go to africa lol

[@derekah.3359]

@ 3:00- Wow, look at those stained logs!!!! he has for beams in there... It is rustic/rugged/ old timey/ styled... Maybe it's the Texan in me, but i would want to put steer horns and raw-hide leather comforters in there...

[@doloresm7396]

Yeah, that's definitely cool!

[@xyzsame4081]

One commenter said he lived for a year with Mike (I think he did the illustrations for a book). And got an education on being prepper. Like: how to butcher a bear. Mike kept the bear skin / fur. So some bear teeth and skin instead of long horns and a raw leather hide. I wonder if the killing of the bear was legal though (hunting season, hunting permits, gun licence) But if the bear comes to visit, I would shoot too - if only into the air to scare if off. In areas where bears are hunted they usually avoid humans. At least one bear did not get the memo. From the Litte House in the Forest book by Laura Ingalls Wilder we know that bear meat tastes good. They had just butchered a pig in fall, and then her father even brought home a bear and Laura was quite pleased to get bear ham.

[@derekah.3359]

@@xyzsame4081 Bear for you but rawhide leather, longhorns and a big ol' TEXAS FLAG FOR ME. Now

[@arthurrenner7010]

Is that Mike Oeler...author of the $50 and up underground house book?

[@deezynar]

Underground is very appealing in many ways except the price. He said in the video how he is able to do it affordably, and they are pretty specific to his situation. He has access to lots of cheap tree trunks from the lumber mills, and he's done his own excavating. A major factor that he didn't mention is he doesn't have to comply with building codes where he's at. Code would require him to use pressure treated lumber everywhere and insulated windows. And even tho it's underground, code would still require him to insulate the walls that are in contact with the earth. He would also have to hire a structural engineer to look over the plans and make whatever changes the calculations show are required. Then the engineer will put his seal on the plans so the county plans examiner will approve it. Picture yourself paying a backhoe operator to dig your big hole, then paying for all the brand new materials you need for a regular house, including insulation, then add extra heavy duty structural members to the cost, plus moisture barrier everywhere, and a few thousand for an engineer. The extra costs are significant for a full sized house. Most people who have the extra money to spend would just build a bigger above ground house. I am not advocating for big houses, just explaining why underground has not caught on.

[@deezynar]

justgivemethetruth I was really interested in underground buildings for a long time. I own all the books that were published on it, including Oehler's. After a while I realized it wasn't catching on and started thinking about the reasons why. The negative perceptions are a part of it, but the cost to build is the real reason. I wish it wasn't so because that drawing of a cave-like house in Malcolm Wells' book was/is completely awesome and I'd absolutely love to live in something like it. Alas, I don't have the money, and it would be expensive.

[@deezynar]

justgivemethetruth I also own most of those other books you mentioned. I've been interested in all types of unusual construction methods over the years. Like you, I've concluded that stick is the easiest, and least expensive way to go. I hear what you're saying about feeling a vibe when you're underground. I feel it too, but I like it. I agree with you that these houses lacking running water and other utilities is a deal breaker. It's inconvenient to live without them, but it's almost impossible to find places that don't enforce building codes now and codes require utilities; or acceptable substitutes, like photovoltaic electricity if it's engineered to meet the need. I don't know if Oehler spends full winters in his house, but he said the average soil temp was 58F. That's average, so winter temps are probably in the 40's I imagine. That's better than air temps by a huge amount, but insulation is still a good idea.

[@robinshero]

deezynar (and everyone else) I realize it's hard to imagine continuing to breathe and sustain life in a house without trinkets, gadgets, pipes, wires, etc. to make life as cushy as possible. In reality, these houses all have everything you need and then some to sustain your life comfortably. Did you notice the red and blue PEX tubing in the unfinished bathroom? That's plumbing for (luxury) running water. It's interesting that so many people fault his house for not having this or that amenity or technology and excuse themselves of following through on their "dream" because municipal authorities wouldn't approve of such primitive crap. As if it is inherently impossible to run some pipe and conduit through the place as you're building it. The truth is, while your local building department would likely strain to wrap their heads around the unconventional structural engineering, including the required and customary domestic systems would be as straightforward as any building project. You can fill that house with so many wires and wireless access points that you can way more than compensate for the protection from atmospheric radiation provided by the structure itself. A sympathetic engineer will be happy to review your plans and, if you follow Oehler's instructions, stamp it unaltered for no more than his customary fee. Yes, building materials will cost more but you don't have to get some fancy pants firm to glue up some elaborate structural members. Just call around till you find a logging company that's willing to skip the mill altogether and bring you a couple loads of wholy unprocessed tree trunks and a mill that will leave a load of 2x lumber rough cut to a full 2 inches for a decent price. The cost to them is less because they don't have to smooth the faces and it uses the same amount of raw timber. All in all, modest use of the noggin can keep material costs down to average or even remarkably cheaper. You do have to pay people an honest (and legal) wage but, frankly, I've been digging holes since I was two. Watch a couple KZbin videos of epic hole-digging fails, rent a little backhoe, and dig your own hole. Or lure a more confident buddy over to play with the big boy sandbox toy (but don't pay with beer or pot till after the digging is done). If you have the means to build a house and want this kind, stop making excuses and just make it happen. If you don't want that kind of house just stop pretending you do.

[@deezynar]

Tim Dickinson Tim, you have missed the point. My comments have been aimed at the majority of Americans who have grown up with all the amenities, live in an area with a municipal authority that enforces building codes, and doesn't live in a forest, or have a bigger than average budget. There are no lumber mills near where I live, I don't have access to cheap lumber. The used building supply store in town sells used lumber at 75% the price of new. It's cheaper, but the discount doesn't make up for the defects. You didn't address the code requirement for pressure treated lumber that's below grade. Pressure treated lumber is expensive. Yes, I could rent a backhoe and dig the hole myself, but most people are not willing to do that. Of course you can have all the amenities in an underground house. I know of many underground houses with full mechanical, electrical and plumbing services. The point is that their cost is added to the extra costs of building underground. If someone wants to build underground, and they have the extra money to do it, then I'm all for it. I think you missed where I said I'd love to live in an underground house. That would be an underground that's well designed, of course.

[@ttc99wilson]

deezynar He also owns a sizable piece of land where his cheap underground homes aren't easily seen by anyone driving by. You can't build cheap underground homes in the city or anywhere for that matter where codes are enforced and busy body neighbors can turn you in to the county.

[@ons1008]

I had the original book and spoke with Mike on the phone when I was planning an underground greenhouse.. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS!

[@trevordinwoodie3231]

That old hippy dude is awesome. Still sharp, loves what he does, and the way he brushes off bears as more of a nuisance than a threat is funny af

[@weekendatbernies2265]

Outlook and Attitude make all the difference!

[@KRYTEN451]

Read his 1st book "..50 dollars or less", fantastic book, superb content, and a very good writing style. The guy was brilliant.

[@carolegerst5422]

no wonder him and me like eachother believe it or not I write to but I write for a hobby many of my articles have been in papers I'm an advocate for the elderly I'm an advocate for when military men and women get out of the service I think our country should take care of them if they're wounded once they do their job and they get hurt doesn't mean our job stops by protecting them I love our country I love our military and I love America and I think someday we will all come together and be as we should but holy Toledo when is that going to

[@theIAMofME]

Very interesting video. There is someone near me that has an underground house. It was here before we moved here 20 years ago. You can not SEE it. You only know it's there because someone told you. It has no windows though except at the top that face away from the road. I would love to see the home at the end when it is completed.

[@mybeatmhz]

old people know a thing or two!

[@Tubewatchinggal]

that depends on the people. anyone dumb in youth would remain dumb in old age. this guy happened to be smart.

[@gloglos100]

And guess what, the offspring sa , aw mum you’re mad.

[@rb67mustang]

OK, after reading some of the comments, I read that Mike passed away about 3 years ago. But It would be nice to know if this house is finished and what it looks like today. I also wonder if Mr. Oehler is still alive. His building methods are very interesting and innovative.

[@darleandanielson1366]

Mike is nonphysical now but I'm sure he loves that you called him Mr. Oehler!

[@mariabarten3146]

A true and genuine hobbit man❤️ save the earth, become a hobbit? I'm in

[@marines823]

Maria Barten I will hobbit with you😝🙂

[@chrisbilling]

very smart man, he likes windows

[@gloglos100]

Yes, that is rare. Windows with light from two directions...what architect knows that, and cross ventilation. I am very very strong on natural light from two directions, cross ventilation and exits.

[@stevenkaczmarek7030]

How many windows a person had used to mean how wealthy someone was. He's wealthy without materialism. He is truly free which is worth more than all the Gold in the world. Just God and him.

[@aaaada]

I love how he love all of his windows and really stresses the importance of windows

[@christianernst90]

Dear Ms Dirksen, i`am a Photographer from Germany and I just want to say thank you for your work.Its inspire me a lot. warm regards Christian, even for the people you met.

[@YourWaywardDestiny]

What a wonderful man.

[@straightouttaLA69]

right we need to work with the earth not against the earth

[@powerstrokelife4133]

straightouttaLA69 fuck the EPA and TREE HUGGERS

[@ChillingCap]

@@powerstrokelife4133 dude did you notice this mans killed trees to fix th house, the only real working with the earth is a underground, shipping container house, now that would be a true working with the earth, no trees killed. so this man isnt a tree hugger

[@melktert1763]

@@ChillingCap bruh go educate yourself before leaving stupid comments

[@richerDiLefto]

ChillingCap8365 - Young trees are a renewable resource. 🙄

[@Ironhatchy]

This man is filled with life and I hope he has many more years left.

[@hr2186]

Jack Hammer He is dead and buried in the earth now. Good man it seems.

[@sparker0501]

I really wish a copy of this film is kept in a museum somewhere. Mike was a National Treasure. He taught about architecture, history, self-sufficiency, physics, mathematics and sociology. He designed the houses for his needs rather than his wants. And he was happy. He was a Master. God bless him.

[@realunderdog9381]

It's amazing how this video brought so many strong emotions out. You do great workoh, you're one of those beautiful souls on Earth.

[@pipfox7834]

@Real Underdog it brought out so many strong emotions because everyone needs and wants a place to call home! and for many people in the last twenty years or so, any chance of that went out the window... thankyou, politicians everywhere.