This Incredible Cave House Took 20 Years to Build

Simplify
by Simplify

Modern architecture continually presents us with innovative and awe-inspiring ideas. However, amidst these contemporary marvels, there exists a home that will not only astonish but also transport us back to the earliest days of human dwelling. This extraordinary abode is none other than a modern-day cave house.


In this video tour by Tiny House Giant Journey, we are granted a glimpse inside Grant Johnson's bedrock homestead, a labor of love that he has dedicated the past two decades to perfecting:

Grant's journey began when he was forced to leave high school at the age of 17 and relocated to Moab, Utah. Settling into this expansive mining town, he found solace in its laid-back atmosphere, which starkly contrasted with his previous surroundings.


Grant immersed himself in various pursuits, alternating between hiking, attending school, and working in the mines to finance his college education. As he became increasingly involved in preserving Indian ruins and exploring the wilderness, he deliberately disconnected himself from the outside world, choosing to forgo news and other external distractions.


Grant's initial intention was to find a secluded spot in the wilderness, where he could cultivate his own food through irrigation. Despite harboring doubts about his ability to afford the necessary equipment and supplies, he began blasting the rock in 1995, commencing a years-long journey of dedication and perseverance.


Finally, in 2003, the blasting phase concluded and the design took shape, with steel incorporated into two openings and the remaining spaces filled entirely with glass.

Grant lives in a Moab cave

Grant devised a system to procure water and electricity sustainably. Upon planting an orchard, he installed a massive 22-foot water wheel connected to a pump. With approximately 6,500 feet of pipeline running from the pond, Grant harnessed the power of gravity to achieve a self-sustaining water supply. Moreover, he installed a turbine to generate electricity, ensuring his off-grid lifestyle.


Grant cultivates a wide variety of crops, including tomatoes, peppers, corn, potatoes, and an assortment of greens. His passion for homemade meat products led him to raise pigs, which are fed with milk from his own milk cow. The fields surrounding his dwelling provide ample sustenance for his animals, ensuring a bountiful harvest.


Grant's remarkable achievement has sparked inspiration in countless individuals, a response he never anticipated. The harmonious coexistence of positive living within a seemingly negative space has really struck a chord.

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