What inspired the design and the lifestyle?
First and foremost being someone who enjoys Mother Nature and all her glory I have a huge respect for the natural environment. I want to preserve that and want to live with less of an impact. Being a human means consuming, but I saw ways to consume less and live simply. On top of that I wanted the freedom to be more creative and to learn. Build things, try things and put my imagination into action.
How did it all come together, the land, the home, the life?
It couldn’t have happened without my best friend and girlfriend Hannah Fuller. We’ve been on the same page with everything surrounding the project and it’s been really important to have her throughout all of it. We weren’t happy with our living situation at the time and we wanted to make a change, so we did. We manifested the idea and before we knew it we were camping on a piece of raw land with a ton of ideas and a ton of stoke. It was hilarious cause we sold our condo and bought the property in a matter of a few weeks. Real loose!
We camped on the property for a few weeks getting to know it and that’s where we formulated the first plan: shelter. We drafted up plans for a12 by 16 foot house — the bare minimum. By starting with nothing and building up from that we were able to customize our life and house so it met our exact needs and nothing more. Hannah’s parents came out to help begin the build. Her dad is a heck of a builder and walked us through the whole process. With a ton of help from our friends and family we had four walls and a roof in 10 days. From that point on we haven’t stopped. We couldn’t be happier.
What is snowboarding’s role in all of this?
Snowboarding has taught me so much: How to have a vision and then create it. Also there are no rules in snowboarding, it’s purely what you make it. Oh, and it’s all about fun. So I’ve carried these things with me through life and ultimately this whole project.
How did the name “The Chillderness” come about?
It’s the chillest of wildernesses, “The Chillderness.” I like it — it makes me laugh when I say it.
The bowl build crew. Photo: Tim Peare
Tell me about the new concrete addition.
This is by far our favorite thing we’ve done. From day one we knew that we were gonna be able to skateboard on the property, but we didn’t know how and when. This past summer we were antsy to start something new and we started clearing out a space for a mini ramp, but weren’t completely psyched on it. Plans changed and a few days later I was in an excavator digging a hole. We have some friends in the business of skatepark sculpting so with their help we poured a whole bunch of concrete and made a park! We’re never gonna leave this place.
What element on the property are you most proud of?
As of now the skate bowl. The house was amazing to build and obviously serves a huge purpose. But I’ve always known I was gonna be living in houses my whole life, and I never thought I was gonna have a skate bowl at my house. The complete novelty of it makes it so radical!
How has your life changed now that you live in a cabin in the woods?
It’s raised my quality of life in all departments. Living in a small space requires simplicity, and the simplicity is humbling. I’m directing my energy to things that I believe in, and that has given me a sense of purpose and contentment.
What’s in store for the rest of the place?
Eventually we are gonna build another little cabin as our primary residence, making our current cabin a guesthouse, art studio and music room. After that, add some animals, expand the garden, a swimming hole, wood-fired hot tub — the list is endless!
See also: MTN Life Design: Mike Basich, Area-241
