Exploring Off-Grid Living: Vanessa’s Visit to the Off-Grid Festival

At Built Form Design Academy, we believe great educators don’t just teach—they stay connected to the evolving world of design. That’s why our Training Manager, Vanessa Couzens, recently took a trip to Chiltern, VIC to attend the Off-Grid Festival, a unique gathering focused on sustainable living, innovation, and natural building practices.

Held over two days, the Off-Grid Festival draws together leaders, designers, and hands-on builders passionate about reshaping the way we live and build. Vanessa joined attendees at the Sustainable Building Talks Tent, where a series of engaging presentations and panel discussions explored everything from earth-based materials to energy-efficient systems.

One standout talk came from Kenney LeMire of MUDTEC, a NSW-based company that specialises in earth bricks. Kenney discussed the possibilities of building with mud bricks, rammed earth, and earthen floors—offering practical insights into construction methods that reduce environmental impact while enhancing thermal performance.

The day continued with a panel discussion featuring leading architects and designers including Kirstie Wulf, Alvin Williams, Kenney LeMire, and Talina Edwards. Their conversation unpacked the opportunities and challenges of working with natural building materials, highlighting both the innovation and problem-solving required to make sustainable choices viable in today’s construction landscape.

Later, Talina Edwards of Envirotecture shared her expertise on Passivhaus (Passive House) principles, a German-born design standard now being adapted and applied to Australian climates. It was a powerful reminder that high-performance design isn’t out of reach—it’s just about knowing how to adapt and apply the right principles.

Rounding out the talks was Dr Sarah Breen Lovett of the Earth Building Association of Australia, who spoke on emerging research around prefabrication and off-site construction. Her insights pointed to a future where sustainable and efficient building might be more accessible than ever.

Alongside the talks, the festival showcased a wide range of eco-friendly technologies and innovations. Vanessa stopped by the PowerPlus Energy stand to learn more about battery energy storage systems (BESS) that allow homes to capture and store solar and wind power—perfect for off-grid living.

Why This Matters to BFDA Students

For students at BFDA, Vanessa’s festival experience offers more than just an interesting weekend recap—it’s a window into the future of building design. As sustainability becomes an essential part of the industry, being exposed to emerging materials, systems, and philosophies helps students stay ahead of the curve. Whether it’s designing with mud bricks or planning for energy-efficient outcomes, understanding these trends equips our students to create spaces that are not only functional and beautiful, but also environmentally responsible.

At BFDA, we’re committed to blending theory with real-world application. Vanessa’s takeaways from the Off-Grid Festival will directly enrich our course content and classroom discussions—ensuring students are learning from professionals who are not just trained in the field, but actively engaging with it.

Explore our Certificate IV in Residential Drafting and Diploma of Building Design to see how they can work for you.