Former New Mexico ranch as off-grid conservation easement
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- JJ and Fred Milder were looking for their dream home- they’d spent most of their married life in Boston-, but now with their daughters in college, they were looking to relocate. They stumbled on a former cattle ranch in the high desert outside Sante Fe that was being sold as part of a conservation trust.
Instead of allowing the ranch to be divided into “ranchettes” that would threaten wildlife, water, and public access to land with important Native American history (like Petroglyph Hill, behind what is now the Milder’s home), Commonweal Conservancy was dividing it into homesteads and a planned village that would keep 97% as open space.
When the Milder’s bought their 125-acre lot, they agreed to conservation easements to leave most of it protected. This meant rules for the size and positioning of their home and agreeing not to build fences so that it would remain open for bikers, hikers, horseback riders, and sightseers of the many archeological sites nearby.
Their newly-purchased land was also off-grid in every possible sense: not only was there no connection to the electrical grid, but neither was their water or sewage services. The Milders installed photovoltaics for electricity and solar thermal for hot water. They also installed rainwater capture and an extensive blackwater recycling system that kept the water circulating from home use (toilets included) to their drought-resistant garden.
Acting as general contractors on the building of their home (with only the experience of renovating their Boston Victorian), the Milders tried to blend traditional building with modern touches. They laid out their home in a “hacienda” style, eliminating hallways and instead forcing the outdoors in. All rooms are daylighted with skylights and doors to the outside.
Eschewing the more locally traditional adobe for the better thermal mass of AAC (autoclaved aerated concrete) blocks, they created a passive solar home that remains comfortable during New Mexico summers without the need for air conditioning.
Original story: faircompanies.c...
Galisteo Basin Preserve: www.galisteobas...
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Some of the digs at this couple are likely based on (just) ignorance (and hopefully not also prejudice, though perhaps I am being naive here). It is clear to me, as someone who comes from a similar demographic, that these folks are solidly middle class, well-educated Bostonians, who likely worked hard and raised a family during their 20s through 50s, and saved enough to retire nicely. My father retired with a very nice pension, after working as an inner-city teacher for 3 decades. These folks are not the "1%" and clearly care a lot about conservation and preserving access to Native American sites. I can imagine there are many Americans who may never have met folks like these--but there are millions of us.
i know most people are complaining how this is not "affordable" for everyone but you can't deny the thought and hard work this couple put into this beautiful place. i think it's way more important to look at their intentions and reasons for building this house, rather then the sheer estimate of money they might have spent. of course not all of us have access to certain resources but it's not our abilities or capabilities that define who we are - it's THE WAY WE CHOOSE TO USE THEM!
As a lifelong apartment dweller and a near-poverty-level income earner, I find that I very much appreciate the Milders sharing their beautiful and amazing home with us. It does my soul good just to know that there are such places on Earth.
@Neil Martinez Very well put. It’s always refreshing when someone takes time with a comment to go beyond labels and neat little categories. I think the best things in life defy classification. I read recently that true knowledge is holding conflicting ideas in your head simultaneously. Or to quote Man Ray “We have never attained the infinite variety and contradictions that exist in nature.”
I know they have power from storing solar energy but what about internet access? Did they have that luxury and was it with one of the stardard providers? Interested because of future plans I have.
btfielden85 internet access can always be direct from satellite - it's slower - can be a bitch in a storm - but generally internet access is world wide.
btfielden85 u have to make some sacrifices when u live off grid..... sat connectivity will keep u connected most of the time.
the qual isnt as good yet.
Right! Thanks for the comment.
"Build Smart" = have tons of money.
A cheaper version of what the rich invest in eventually trickles down to us. :-) First adopters are important.
Kirsten Dirksen I love all of your videos, though I'm a bit biased about this one- I really love some of the things they've done! I feel as if I am seeing a living example of things I have dreamed of for years, thanks for all that you share :)
Well, I like this video like I like all your work. I read your below comment about how the people in your video having built smarter. Certainly they did not have a huge AC. However, I do feel a bit strange after watching the video. There's a drought but they have a pool and a green lawn. They mentioned conservation but the place is massive. I agree that there need to be appealing "green" building options for the the well-off and even the rich, but I guess that I am not always a realist. In my mind it was "too nice" to be "green." But, an excellent video nonetheless. Very very good indeed. Thank you.
Why should we regulate how people can live? Or do we prefer people to behave the way we stereotype them, so they are easier to talk about? Conservation easements are in my opinion a chance to protect land that otherwise would be unprotected while the houses built make a smaller impact in the environment. Maybe we prefer a smaller house with several ACs and no protection of the surroundings whatsoever. Individual liberties are made so people can live how they choose.
Nicolás Boullosa
Your right
A regular house would probably be fix about fifteen year but this house problaby last 40 years before it start its fixin.
the pool you saw is filled with water they harvested off there roof, not wasteful. You would be amazed at the amount of water you can harvest from your roof and store in tanks for later.
I am glad that the people in the video built a modern maximally energy efficient house regardless of its palatial nature. And no behavior is not easily controlled.
das hasguns I live and have lived in Santa fe my whole life and there is never enough rain to fill a whole pool that water is coming from a well...dont be fooled.
Very nice setup. I was expecting to see something more budget friendly. Only thing missing here is a nice setup for a backyard gun range.
they are from boston they do not beleive in guns they hate them they wreck america and what she stands for
I see the words 'abandoned' and 'conservation easement' in the title, but I didn't learn how they obtained the 'abandoned' land or how it's designated as a conservation easement other than that they own it and ostensibly won't develop it (for now).
" Narrowing our idea of comfort."
This home does not appear to lack in any comfort whatsoever.
I find his statement odd.
With enough monetary resources one can accomplish pretty much all their dreams.
I think they meant that humans in general are trying to narrow them. The people in the video then refer to much wider temperature variations as acceptable (60-80 degrees). I interpreted it as most of us city dwellers just set the thermostat to 72 or 76 or some other static number. Of course, I could be wrong ;-)
regarding the monetary thing. Though it is very nice to have, plenty has been built by those without it. It takes bravery, drive, determination and a willingness to learn to be successful. Maybe a little stubbornness too.
***** You're exactly right. I think he was also pointing out that they might not always have instant hot water or that they don't have air conditioning, but by building smart (and keeping doors closed, etc), they live very comfortably. It was a hot summer day when we were there and it was impressive how cool it felt indoors.
And I would agree that much of this you can replicate without a lot of money. Simple passive solar concepts can radically change how you experience more extreme temperatures.
***** I agree. One can install many devices into their own homes and landscapes to be a living conscious human. Absolutely.
Whether urban or rural dweller one needs to try and align with nature.
Crony Corporatism is the number one reason for all lands destruction. lol Yet they fully market the sell that the common man is at fault. Astounding !
Edward Bernay's would be proud indeed.
I do wonder if these lovely people have jobs/professions that are conscious of the earth also.
hmm ~
RenegadeTimes " I could call it a lot of things" It "is" their choice. I am much more comfortable with that than I am with some superior group of people who think they know better telling me what to do. Most of these systems, black water recycling etc have been around for centuries. Yet wouldnt pass code of the cities.
they both had goverment jobs with real big pensions wait till the pension program crashes and its coming because pensions are big in fanny mea
Rich people rambling. Need more stories of real people of modest means.
Kirsten made a lot of videos about every kind of peoples'home ... Let's have a look before complaining?
I don't have t.v service anymore for financial reasons BUT since discovering your channel I'm changing my thoughts on life. I no longer wanna keep up with the joneses. I feel like I'm in class with your videos they force you to rethink everything. what's necessary what's not necessary! Keep em coming! Thank you
The Joneses were the very creation of the TV you no longer have. It is being used as a tool of mass mind control.
Your awesome 😎!!!
Kirsten Dirksen Do you know if they would be open to having select RV'ers come and boondock on their property? They mentioned sharing it. I was just curious if that was a possibility.
I've decided to delete my previous comment, as I think I was having a really bad day. Living in London sucks sometimes (Yeah, it really can) And watching another film about how you would like to live can wreck you head....
Wonderfully recorded and edited. And a great house. It seems they did almost everything right, though I still have a hard time thinking of any house that big and that remote as "green." But for what it is, it's very well done.
Who cares about the how much money this costs, that is irrelevant. There's no getting away from it, this is a beautiful piece of architecture which has been masterfully and sensitively excuted. Beautiful...
FASCINATING SHARING! NICE ....
WORK POSTING! ....... BEAUTIFUL
RELOCATION ..... IF YOU CAN REALLY
AFFORD TO "INVEST" COMFORTABLY
IN A NEW LIFE .... AND BE ABLE TO
ENJOY IT!"
By far one of the most beautiful homes I've seen on your videos..Thank you Kristen!
Aww, I want an abandoned ranch too! On a serious this is absolutely beautiful!
I could hardly take my eyes off the beautiful northern New Mexico landscape. As someone who lived in NM for 10 years a lifetime ago and whose heart aches for it still, I thoroughly enjoyed viewing not only the mountains, vast sky and terrain, I loved seeing the details of the architecture and "feeling" those breezes flowing through the place. I think they have right idea about how to live in and steward such a magical location.
Need a bunk house so you can share the experience With some Disadvantaged youth.
I enjoyed this because it is another example of coming to the same logical conclusion from two nearly opposite ends of the economic spectrum. For example; the "ContainerTopia" video in contrast with the "New Haven Container Apartments" project. Or this couple's evident retirement dream realized in the same way as the guy who worked on Broadway as a set designer/builder in Manhattan moving to his West Texas "estate."
Great minds thinking alike. The only difference being the level of liquid capital involved.
I cant stop to be amazed by your work Kirsten. Keep it up, I'm always looking forward to you next video.
Very nice property. I would be concerned though, that some slobs would take advantage of the land and trash it, or be careless and start wild fires. I think it is wonderful that you are opening up your land for use to the public. That is what I complain about here in NE Ohio, is that there isn't any place to just go to get away from the well worn trails, and national park rules. To me, walking around a loop isn't the "wilderness," but is the engineered illusion of nature, and thus still is marked by human development (disappointing). What I would suggest is this: 1) Make sure you have plenty of liability insurance to cover you from sue happy people; 2) If you are going to open up your property to people, I would make them at the very least sign in and out with you and carry a radio, so that you can communicate with folks for safety reasons and know who is on your property at any given moment; 3) I would make them sign a waiver, stating that they are responsible; 4) I would offer classes to people, on such things as-- leave no trace ethics, how to NOT accidentally have a campfire turn into a wildfire, and on wilderness first aid. Perhaps, I would even start a social club of people that regularly like to use the property, and organize volunteer work crews.
Love it, but worry about snakes. Wonderful life they have.
where do you FIND these people! great videos
We've lost so much culture after what we did to the native americans. Not many peoples have been obliterated and assimilated to such an extreme degree. Not even the Jewish in wwII
Who’s we I didn’t do anything to the native Americans.
People spend half a million for an apartment in downtown and nobody say a word, these folks come and spend some bucks in a beautiful place, doing something great and everybody drive crazy....
This has got to be one of the most gorgeous and awe-inspiring segments.
Incredibly beautiful.
This is fabulous. I love what they have done and the landscape is breathtaking.
Beautiful place. Too bad us native New Mexicans don't have the money to get a place like that. We're all stuck in ABQ in a 2 bedroom apartment next to the base.
what are the walls finished with, mud?
i'm sure their friends back in boston, no longer thing they are crazy.
Adobe as in earth bag? Or adobe brick?
What an amazing, peaceful home. Gotta love it!
How can I be a part of this! Awesome.
There is a guy who built a house by himself with 42K in 2016 money. Not as big but just as nice and comfortable. /watch?v=DXmAwx8Imxw
Right back to basics when every house was self-sufficient. Good stuff!
it looks just like an old south Spanish house, in my country is called "casa patronal" or the house of the landowner and the corridor and central courtyard is a must in a hot and dry weather zone
Cool vid, save for all the B.S. about 'natives' and mindfulness.
This property is gorgeous. I can't wait to do something similar with my family + extended family.
Congratulations, Kirsten, for all your videos. I've seen all of them.
I love this one. That ranch in the desert is like a dream. Fascinating.
this is paradise
Kirsten; 11,855 views in one day! You are doing something right. This is a very beautiful place these people have.
I grew up near there. Thank you for sharing their home and space.
Wonderful architecture and I love the way it flows with nature. Feels very open, airy, and free.
Of course you can have a home like this if you have tons of money.
Groovy place
I thought it was Epstein's ranch!
Amazing!
I want to stop by and visit. Who do I contact?
I wonder if there is a well on property or do they rely totally on rain/snow catchment..? I know that the swimming pool alone requires great amounts of water.
This home is gorgeous!
I really love NM, grew up there, so have a special affinity for the sense of place that is present everywhere there. One thing I want to know, they are living on a conservation easement, do they have a long term lease for the land that they occupy with their structures? This is a bazillion-dollar hacienda complex, has the land cost (or lack of) make a difference in the total cost of the construction? It is a lovely complex, although, I would have put a 1/2 bath in that large great room. I love the use of blackwater composting for landscaping sludge. Did they have to go through a ton of hoops to get this permitted?
juat love the sound of wind in a micropnone, don't you
Hi, JJ and Fred. I found you! What a fantastic place you have. So different, and yet I did see a tin ceiling! and a pantry! A little bit of the old world that you took with you. Grandparents? Best, Joan Naimark.
FYI: FYI: To legally hike on state/federal land in New Mexico you now need to buy a permit from the DNR. The land in not open to public use.
The Galisteo Basin is a beautiful area for sure. However, is there enough or any water to support the development of the area, no matter how spaced out the houses? After all, the whole southwest, including NM, is in a long term drought.
There will always be people of means and people of poverty, each for many reasons. It’s futile to grouse about why you don’t have what others have. You may or may not be able to afford something this large in these exact circumstances, but you can take away ideas to use on a smaller scale in other parts of the country. These videos are meant to show what’s possible in the broadest sense, not necessarily what you can go out and build tomorrow on a shoestring.
..... SUN RISING .... SETTING .... HERE .... MUST
BE AMAZING! ..... ENJOY YOUR LIFE! ....
Replacing all those batteries one day is going to be crazy expensive I feel like.
A beautiful video. The guilt ridden psycho babble gets old, but the house is great.
What a nice place to live!
Wow only one other person has seen this video?
That landscape is beyond beautiful and the house setting is something that could probably pay for its self in the long run. That's beyond words. One question is there still land for sale there? Let me know asap.
This type of landscape can be found in several large areas of northern new mexico and northern arizona.
Is there any land for sale out there? And how much an acre? What about property tax? Building codes?
Google landwatch. You can also look on ebay. Property tax varies by state, and building codes vary by county or city.
Xue Lee I was born and raised in this town and you need to be a millionaire to live where these people live... dont be fooled there is nothing simple or cheap about his home or the area they live in.
You don't have to live in that specific area. There is plenty of land for sale in that region. You can do it for the cost of a regular house.
Growing old in this setting does not seem to be hospitable .
Great video, and beautiful property. I'm fortunate to be living only an hour away from Santa Fe at the moment. It's a beautiful area, and lots of off grid living.
By the way, thought you'd get a kick out of this:
www.ifc.com/shows/portlandia/blog/2015/02/microhouse-living-looks-great
I absolutely love tiny homes, but I have to admit Portlandia did a great job making fun of it! :)
how beautiful. so tranquil. love it!!!!!! so reallly, really want to see this. Love the mountain view.
Breaking Bad.,
how awesome!
Thank you Kirsten & family for sharing this wonderful post.
Yes!
🌼👍
Noisey camera..............
How do they get their water?
I think I saw a flux capacitor in that battery room. Don't get that house up to 88 mph!
Ive watched this Video a Dozen Times and I Just Love it! Thank You
Beautiful home.
Just Gorgeous.
The view are breathtakingly beautiful.
beautiful place this would be my dream home
Just fabulous! Thanks for sharing.
I would love a place like that!
it is beautiful
In Hungary in the old day in the small villages they build the houses exactly same way.
Maria, do you know if it’s possible to restore those old houses in Hungary, in the event that they have water intrusion from the ground? I have gotten mixed answers to this question. I have an old family house in Vas m., that I would like to restore, but there is a noticeable amount of dampness which is spreading upwards from the ground, unfortunately.
@@damonmelendez856
Yes, you can restore, you have to put drainage pipes around the house to let the water goes away from the house.
I don’t know if they do that in Hungary. I live in British Columbia, Canada.
@@mariapottery thank you for your quick response!
You are my heroes...keep it up.
Beautiful house and grounds. Usually Fair Companies posts homes that are attainable, even affordable. I would like to know the costs of this one. There are definitely many high-end upgrades, like the folding and siding doors. Like everything really. Yet they did their own general contracting. I guess costs at around $500k, which I suppose would not be bad if there are no ongoing costs other than taxes. The house is obviously architect-designed. I'd like to see the architect identified.
Also, it's mentioned that they purchased the land, but then she mentions "leasing." Why does she say that? Clearly they don't have total control over the land, since it's a conservation easement.
It's nice to see pretty things, but I'd prefer not to look at things that are not attainable for most people. It tends to be discouraging rather than encouraging as to living sustainably.
Great place...love it....
Awesome love it.
Its such an awesome concept.. But a huge investment is required to live in this way.. And when she said that all of our water is recycled by passing through various filtration stages even the toilet water too.... I felt a bit weird but then mostly all perfumes are also made of toilet water and the entire world love them...
this is all beautiful and all but this cost they so much money to billfold l build. that's why I hate it when they are like lets all safe the planets. but what they forget the rest of us don't have the extra crash to not work and act a fool. some of us have jobs and families to take care of why? because the rich dint leave any meet on the bone