What happens when a former professional snowboarder gives up a 4,000-square-foot house and builds a 300-square-foot stone tiny home by hand, deep in the California mountains? Meet Mike Basich, who spent 7 years creating this stunning off-grid tiny house from rock, wood, and recycled materials—35 minutes from Lake Tahoe and miles from the nearest power lines.
In this full tiny house tour, Mike shares how he used local resources, instinctual design, and hands-on craftsmanship to create a pentagon-shaped mountain retreat that blends sustainability, off-grid living, and thoughtful minimalism. Built from stone sourced within a 200-foot radius and wood milled on-site, this home is a masterclass in resilient, low-impact living.
Inside the Home: -Pentagon floor plan inspired by the golden ratio -South-facing windows to maximize passive solar heat -Custom welded windows and handmade door with star inlays -Fireplace + soapstone oven as the heart of the home -12V power system with solar panels and battery bank -Cold plunge + hot tub on the deck overlooking 40 acres -Loft bedroom, stainless steel sink, marble and granite counters -A kitchen built for simplicity and health: no fridge in winter, camp stove and wood cooking -Sit-down Japanese-style shower and compost toilet outside
What You'll Learn in This Tour: -Why Mike chose to downsize from a big house to a minimalist life in the mountains -How thoughtful off-grid design lowers utility costs and environmental impact -Real cost breakdown: $225,000 land investment + $500 solar system = total independence -How Mike lives without a grid connection—and why he prefers it that way -Advice for anyone dreaming of building their own home from raw land
Whether you're looking to reduce your cost of living, reconnect with nature, or just find inspiration for your own off-grid tiny home, Mike’s journey is a powerful reminder that you don’t need much to live richly. His story is filled with practical insights and heartfelt reflection on what it means to build a life, and a home, with your own two hands.
