‘Handmade Utopia’ Relishes the Architecture of California’s Back-to-the-Land Movement

In the mid-1970s, my father introduced me to a unique enclave called Orr Hot Springs, located just outside of Ukiah, California. Nestled in the mountains, this property had a rich history dating back to 1858 when it served as a stagecoach stop. Redwoods shaded the trails, and it boasted an array of architectural styles, from triangular windows and diagonal paneling to ad hoc additions.

The buildings were often not up to code, but the spirit of resourcefulness and independence prevailed. Orr Hot Springs became a hub for the back-to-the-land movement, attracting people seeking to escape the city and embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. The community thrived on cooperative living, with people purchasing shares in the property and constructing tiny, "very not-code" cabins.

These dwellings were often built from scrounged materials, such as discarded redwood and salvaged architectural details. The authors, David Jacob Kramer and Michael Schmelling, spent four years documenting the remaining structures and capturing the audacious hope of the back-to-the-land movement. This book serves as a tribute to the ingenuity and spirit of those who built these homes, as well as a reflection on the societal complexities that gave rise to this architectural style.

The photographers aimed to preserve these structures before they disappeared, along with the generation that built them. This book is set to release on September 1, offering readers a glimpse into the past and a reminder of the enduring legacy of the back-to-the-land movement.