Not so Grand Designs! The dream Tabitha and Chris bought 120 acres of forest in Toolangi and are building a farmhouse that will be sustainable, economical, fire-proof and completely off-grid. The series, which is a local adaptation of the British series of the same name, sees host Peter Maddison chronicle the construction of grand and unusual houses. He’s going the extra mile, insulating the ground underneath the slab to store heat from solar panels on the roof to provide heating and hot water for the house. Every week, Lifestyle will bring you the inside scoop on each Grand Designs Australia’s homeowner thoughts. Grand Designs Australia exclusive: Tabitha and Chris show off their Toolangi home Watch later Vertical garden walls, double glazed windows, underground water tanks and a super insulative roof top garden, create a house that will heat and cool itself. From their favourite aspect of their home to what they’d do differently, this week we chat to Chris and Tabitha about their dream build in Toolangi, Victoria. 723 Likes, 24 Comments - Grand Designs Australia (@granddesignsau) on Instagram: “"Chris and Tabitha have come up with a solution that suits this location (a high-rated fire zone) -…” Chris’ practical approach to his sustainable ethos is reducing energy costs. Grand Designs Australia is an Australian observational series on The LifeStyle Channel. 211 Likes, 7 Comments - Grand Designs Australia (@granddesignsau) on Instagram: “In Victoria, Tabitha and Chris are building a farmhouse that will be sustainable, economical, fire-…” 141 Likes, 1 Comments - Grand Designs Australia (@granddesignsau) on Instagram: “"Design for Chris and Tabitha was inspired by a country sensibility about time gone past with…” Just how Mr Knierim took the property from a pile of rubble to designer digs was all captured for the small screen with the Grand Designs Australia crew, and host Peter Madison, in tow. Chequered tales of Kevin McCloud's TV showhomes - from the cave house denied planning to the water tower that wouldn't sell (and there's quite a few on AirBnB) Meet Chris and Tabitha who are building a fire-proof house in regional Victoria.