Why You Must Build Your Own Shelter

No.069 — Read old posts on Tinyfarmlab.com
Reading Time 5 minutes

Remember when we were kids,
drawing a scenery meant the same things—
a hut,
trees,
a smiling sun,
a river meandering through mountains?

Somewhere along the way, that image of “home” faded.

We traded the simple charm of a handmade home for convenience and efficiency.

Today, most people believe they can’t build a house unless they’re professionals. The idea of creating shelter with our own hands feels distant and almost impossible.

Our homes are designed by others,
for others,
stamped out in factories,
or drawn from templates.

These houses look perfect but feel empty.
They don’t tell our story.

Even though we are architects,
when we outsource the act of shelter-making,
We lose our connection to the earth and ourselves.

But what if building a home isn’t just for professionals?
What if it’s for anyone willing to try?

Henry David Thoreau, in Walden, said:
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately,
to front only the essential facts of life."

Building your own shelter is an act of living deliberately.

Michael Pollan, reflecting on building his writing studio in A Place of My Own, wrote:

Each choice you make—
materials,
orientation,
insulation,
connects you to the natural world.

It’s not just about the house you build;
it’s about the person you become in the process.

Imagine standing in a home made with your own hands.
Every wall, every curve, every imperfection carries your story.

It’s not perfect, but that’s what makes it beautiful.

It’s yours—crafted from the earth beneath your feet.

This home is not just a structure.

It’s a reminder of your capability,
your courage,
your connection to the land.

When you build your shelter,
you’re not just creating a space to live.
You’re transforming yourself.

We were once scared too.
Our savings were small.
The dream felt impossible.

But we found a way.

Building a cob house showed us what’s possible when we dare to start.
Now, we help others reconnect with the joy of building a home by hand.

Love,
Raghav and Ansh

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What you can watch - Our first YouTube video!

What you can listen to - From Constraints to Creativity: The Art of Sustainable Renovations - Sigi Koko - BS131

Sigi Koko, founder of Down to Earth Design, to explore the world of natural renovations. Sigi shares her journey of blending sustainability and health into home retrofits, highlighting the transformative power of materials like clay and hemp in creating spaces that feel alive, healthy, and grounded.

What You Can Read - A Place of My Own 

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