We decided that we wanted to build a very unconventional home. A container home that would eventually be covered in gravel and top soil. A house that was literally surrounded by life. So we started by purchasing a high cube (9.5' high, 8' wide, 40' long). It had some rust that we stripped, welded reinforcements(avoid bowing with burial), coated the inside and top with siliconized paint.
The next step for us was putting in our subfloor. Our neighbor Eli (contractor by trade) suggested we use BCI (engineered lumber). He explained that it comes in 40' lengths and is less susceptible to warping. Along with Eli, our good friend Vincent (renowned photographer/journalist) helped immensely. Vincent lived with us off-grid for a while, documenting our unconventional life and marriage ceremony.
Soon after putting in the sub-floor we rushed off to NY to get married. The ceremony was at a old barn in Margaretville NY, a place very special to Pam. We had a lot of DIY elements and everyone pitched in to make it workout. We had my niece and nephew draw on our wedding rings with sharpies and later we tattooed them on.