In response to increasing environmental awareness and shifting lifestyle aspirations, architect Rob Mills shares five essential design principles for living off grid. At Howqua River Lodge, these principles are fully realised in a residence that achieves self-sufficiency without compromising comfort, longevity or design. Set within a sensitive landscape, the project embraces architectural restraint and technical refinement, offering a blueprint for sustainable living rooted in quality and purpose.
The first principle centres on air quality. To replicate the invigorating feel of fresh outdoor air indoors, the design incorporates a heat exchanger system. This innovation draws in external air, gently tempering it to match internal conditions, ensuring year-round comfort while maintaining energy efficiency. For Mills, who is director of Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors, this captures the essence of a successful interior – a place that feels as fresh and alive as a shaded outdoor terrace. This focus on air and atmosphere is fundamental to living off grid, where mechanical systems must work harmoniously with the natural environment.
Thermal insulation forms the second principle. The home is wrapped in layers of protection – from under-slab insulation to double glazing – that ensure a consistent internal climate across seasons. This approach reduces the demand for energy-intensive systems and highlights the role of passive design in sustainable architecture. Alongside this, the third principle addresses water sourcing and use. By harvesting rainwater and accessing groundwater via a 75-metre bore, the home achieves a reliable supply for both domestic use and bushfire preparedness. These solutions affirm the viability of living off grid in remote or fire-prone regions.
Durability and quality define the fourth principle. Here, material choice goes beyond aesthetics – it ensures the longevity of the building and minimises waste. Recycled bricks, surplus stone and high-quality pre-owned furniture are selected and integrated to create a layered, timeless interior. Mills explains that these choices are not just environmentally sound, they also contribute to a more grounded and meaningful living experience. In the context of living off grid, durability becomes not only a practical requirement but an ethical stance.
The fifth and final principle addresses energy generation and conservation. Solar panels are installed with strategic gaps above the roofline to create a thermal buffer and optimise airflow. Combined with reflective materials and thoughtful shading, this design harnesses energy from the sun while protecting the building from excessive heat gain. For Mills, success in off-grid living hinges not on excess or scale but on intelligent, well-resolved systems. Reducing building size, enhancing functionality and focusing on what truly matters becomes a guiding philosophy for those pursuing living off grid.
Through these five principles, Mills demonstrates that living off grid can offer a more enriching, sustainable and self-sufficient way of life. Rather than a compromise, it presents an opportunity to design spaces that tread lightly, function beautifully and endure.
1:03 – No.1 Live with Clean, Fresh Air
02:01 – No.2 Prioritise Thermal Insulation
02:38 – No.3 Conserve and Manage Water
03: 36 – No.4 Make Sustainable Choices
04:58 – No.5 Design for Energy Efficiency
06:18 – The Off Grid Advantages
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Photography by Anson Smart.
Architecture by Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors.
Styling by Jack Milenkovic.
Filmed by The Local Production.
Edited by HN Media.
Production by The Local Production.
Location: Howqua, Victoria, Australia
The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.
