Interview: How They Built Their Dream Home [Life]

These Show Notes are a ChatGPT summary of the episode transcript (with brief additional editing)

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In this podcast, hosts Kim and Rog explore the unique journey of their guests, Andrew and Erica, a couple who have remarkably interwoven their life values into the design and construction of their home.

The narrative begins with the origin story of Andrew, an Australian, and Erica, an American, who met at the University of Oregon during an exchange program. Their initial connection during a dormitory orientation grew into a profound bond, which was sustained through long periods of long-distance dating due to their geographical separation.

Their early relationship, marked by distinct individuality and choice, laid a strong foundation for their partnership. This independence, according to Andrew, was an important factor that helped their long-distance relationship succeed. The hardships of their early relationship, characterized by prolonged periods of separation and the necessity of clear, honest communication, fostered maturity and growth in their relationship. They recognized the importance of deliberate and consensual decision-making, never forcing each other out of obligation.

Erica echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that both of them were always choosing to be together, which created a very natural flow to their relationship. Their commitment was tested when Andrew lost his job during the financial crisis and moved back to Australia, but Erica followed, and they got married within a month of her arrival in Australia.

Having navigated through personal and financial challenges, the couple embarked on fulfilling a significant dream – building their own home. This ambition was born after encountering a unique site in Western Australia, and while it wasn’t their initial plan, they were inspired to tackle the challenge due to their shared value of flexibility. The home design reflected Andrew’s architectural prowess and Erica’s inputs, as they prioritized their needs and principles over conventional design choices.

Their focus was on creating a space that resonated with their beliefs, even if it meant waiting for a specific buyer who shared their vision. They even included elements reflecting a West Australian lifestyle, like a Aussie Rules football-playing area in the yard.

One of their unique design features is an outdoor toilet, which aligns with their preference for maintaining a connection with nature. Andrew refers to it as a forced engagement with the outdoors, and Erica emphasizes how it positively influences her awareness of her surroundings. In addition to

this, their choice of an open design with no walls reaching the ceiling fostered more communication and shared time between them.

However, building their own home was not without its challenges. It altered their domestic roles, with Andrew managing most of the construction due to his expertise, while Erica took over the bulk of domestic tasks. Despite Erica’s initial discomfort with these shifts as a feminist, they came to view it as a necessity to allocate skills where they were most effective. While they agree that the experience was rewarding, they do not anticipate building another house in the near future, especially with a young child in their life. The experience, however, has left them with a sense of pride and memories of the support they received from friends and family during the process.

As the podcast concludes, Andrew and Erica express their desire for further education and to maintain their value of flexibility, even as they anchor themselves with assets like their home and family. Kim and Rog close by expressing their admiration for Andrew and Erica for sharing their inspiring journey, shedding light on the importance of clear communication, shared values and mutual respect in their relationship and the importance of living life their way.