This is the Pickalotta, an off-grid mushroom-inspired cabin with a living green roof built by Joel and Stephanie in Chesterville, Ontario, Canada. The owner-builders have been living off-grid in their self-built home for over a decade, and they constructed this whimsical second structure to share the off-grid experience with others.
Built using reclaimed telephone poles and furnished with vintage items, the Pickalotta demonstrates how creative design and sustainable building practices can come together in a truly unique small dwelling.
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A Whimsical Mushroom-Inspired Cabin
The cabin’s distinctive mushroom shape gives it a fairytale quality while the living green roof provides insulation and blends the structure into the natural landscape.
Images via Stephanie/Airbnb
Light-Filled Kitchen with Large Windows
Despite its compact footprint, the kitchen feels spacious thanks to large windows that flood the interior with natural light—an important consideration for off-grid living where natural lighting reduces energy needs.
Images via Stephanie/Airbnb
Two-Story Design with Reclaimed Materials
The cabin features a 15′ x 15′ footprint spread across two stories, built using reclaimed telephone poles as structural elements. The interior is furnished with carefully curated vintage items that add character and warmth.
Images via Stephanie/Airbnb
Cozy Interior with Vintage Furnishings
The cabin’s interior showcases how thoughtfully chosen vintage pieces can create a warm, inviting atmosphere in a small space.
Images via Stephanie/Airbnb
Video Tour
Watch the full tour from Exploring Alternatives to see all the details of this unique off-grid cabin:
Design Details
- Name: The Pickalotta
- Location: Chesterville, Ontario, Canada
- Footprint: 15′ x 15′
- Stories: Two
- Builders: Joel and Stephanie (10+ years off-grid living experience)
- Structure: Reclaimed telephone poles
- Roof: Living green roof
- Style: Mushroom-inspired with vintage furnishings
Off-Grid Systems
The Pickalotta demonstrates several proven approaches to off-grid living:
- Solar Power: Photovoltaic panels provide electricity
- Propane Heat: Reliable heating for Ontario’s cold winters
- Incinerating Toilet: A waterless solution that reduces waste to ash
- Outdoor Shower: Embraces the outdoor lifestyle while simplifying plumbing
- Large Windows: Maximize natural light to reduce daytime energy needs
What Makes This Build Special
The Pickalotta offers lessons for anyone interested in creative, sustainable building:
- Reclaimed materials add character — The telephone poles give the structure both strength and visual interest while keeping materials out of landfills
- Green roofs provide multiple benefits — Living roofs offer insulation, stormwater management, and help the structure blend into the landscape
- Whimsy has a place in design — The mushroom shape proves that practical buildings can also be playful and artistic
- Vintage furnishings reduce costs — Thoughtfully chosen secondhand pieces create a cohesive, cozy interior without the expense of new furniture
- Experience matters — The builders’ decade of off-grid living informed every design decision
- Two stories maximize a small footprint — Going vertical on a 15′ x 15′ base creates usable living space without sprawling across the land
Experience It Yourself
The Pickalotta is available as a vacation rental for those curious about off-grid living. It’s a chance to experience sustainable living in a truly unique setting.
Related Stories
- Tiny House with Curved Living Roof in Portland
- Fairytale Cob Cottage with Living/Green Roof
- Hobbit House with Amazing Green Roof
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Alex
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Whoa! I want that kitchen! This home is so beautiful inside! I love the outside areas, too, especially the covered porch. I love boardwalks, too! This place is do cool!
Thank you ?
It’s a bit quirky but, I like it !