These photographs document the home as it was lived in — every room, every system, and the full exterior as seen from the south side of the river. Each image is a window into a decade of off-grid waterfront life.
Living Room
The living room — custom shelving displaying a personal collection of figurines and decorative objects, patterned rug, and wicker storage drawers
Bedroom
The bedroom — full-size bed with floral duvet, fairy lights strung along the ceiling beams, television, fan, and dresser with personal supplies
Bedroom — Entertainment Center
The bedroom entertainment setup — a Philips flat-screen TV, audio mixing board, amplifier, Blu-ray player, and speakers, all powered by solar electricity. Fairy lights run along the exposed timber ceiling beams and red drapes frame the space
Living Room — Collectibles & Fairy Lights
The living room with better lighting — shelving displaying golden lucky cat figurines and a personal collection, red camp chair, patterned rug, and fairy lights strung along the rafters above
Living Room — Shelving Detail
A closer view of the living room shelving — a curated collection of figurines, decorative objects, and personal items displayed on custom-built cube shelving units, with wicker storage drawers alongside
Kitchen
The kitchen — gas stove with propane tanks, stainless steel sink with running water, organized shelving with food, cleaning supplies, and cooking equipment
Water Catchment Storage
The rainwater catchment storage system — a large IBC tote tank fed by roof collection pipes, providing the home's entire water supply for drinking, cooking, and bathing
Before the Move — South View
The home at full size on the original north side of the river, before the state forced the builder to relocate to the south side — and before the structure was cut in half to fit
From the Water — Before the Extension
The two-story main structure viewed from the water before the 300 sq ft extension and walk-in freezer were added — the full timber frame, dock, construction lumber, and the stream in the foreground
300 sq ft Extension & Walk-In Freezer
The 300 sq ft extension attached to the main structure — the grey metal unit on the right is the 8×10 walk-in freezer repurposed for dry storage. Also visible: the dock, boats, red safety railings, and the two-story main structure under construction
Early Construction
The floating home in an earlier phase of construction — the beginning of a 10-year project on Ke'ehi Stream
Flotation Base — Construction
The steel pontoon base and flotation system during construction — IBC totes, styrofoam blocks, and structural framing visible, with the stream and mangroves in the background and red safety railings along the dock
Flotation Base — Pipe System
Another angle of the flotation base showing the plumbing and pipe system that connected the home to its water and waste infrastructure — the mangroves of Ke'ehi Stream visible in the background
IBC Water Tanks — Night
Two large IBC tote tanks on the dock at night — these served as the primary rainwater storage for the home's water catchment system, with plumbing connections feeding the interior filtration and distribution system
Under-Structure — Night View
Looking through the structural frame at night — IBC tanks and styrofoam flotation blocks visible beneath the home's floor, the combination of materials that kept 1,200 sq ft of living space afloat for over a decade
Dock & Base — Night
The dock and base area at night — IBC tank visible on the left, construction lumber stacked on the platform, and the stream water below. The home was built entirely by hand over many years using salvaged and purchased materials
Downstairs — Kitchen Area
Downstairs kitchen and utility area — gas stove, shelving, and the stainless steel sink with running water fed from the rainwater catchment system
Upstairs — Bedroom & Living
The upstairs living area viewed from the bed — Philips television, audio equipment, checkered floor tiles, and the open-plan layout of the upper level
Upstairs — Sleeping Area
The sleeping corner of the upper level — ornate curtain divider, mesh screen door, and personal belongings organized in the space
Water Filtration System
The multi-stage rainwater filtration system — converting collected rainwater into clean, drinkable tap water for the entire home
Upstairs — Workshop
The upstairs workshop and tool storage area — Husky tool chest, chains, and equipment organized in the ocean-facing section of the upper level
Flotation Maintenance
Adding additional styrofoam flotation blocks to the back side of the structure — one of many ongoing maintenance tasks that kept the home afloat over a decade
Front Dock Area
Floor structure in the front dock area — the primary water-access entry point where kayaks and boats were tied up
Upstairs — Center
The upstairs center corridor connecting the left and right wings of the upper level — showing the full width of the two-story structure
Water System — Upper Level
The rainwater catchment filter system installed in the far left corner of the upper level — part of the multi-stage water treatment setup
Storage & Tools
Tool and supply storage area — the builder's workspace and equipment organized within the home's lower level
