Family Lives In Arctic Circle In Self-Built Solar Dome

They went north—waaaay north—to Sandhornøya Island, where subzero temperatures are the norm.

Owing to the harsh winter and short summer, outdoor crops aren't really a possibility, so greenhouses are necessary.

Cob consists of subsoil, hay, sand, clay and pretty much any natural materials that are available.

It's a geodesic dome made of single-glazed glass. It allows plenty of sunlight to get in and also provides plenty of greenhouse space for growing plants.

The Hjertefølgers grow all kinds of fruit and vegetables, including apples, tomatoes, carrots, melons, cucumbers, and kiwis.

The green-conscious Hjertefølgers compost food scraps and make sure to use biodegradable household products.

Living that far north might conjure up images of roughing it in a one-room shack, but Nature House is full of rustic beauty.

While certain design elements are complete—the cob walls, for instance, need no maintenance as they're protected by the glass dome—the family would like to further insulate the dome to allow them to grow more diverse plants.

Setting up greenhouses and growing your own crops is a great way to save money and eat healthy. The Hjertefølgers are able to support their four kids off the plants they grow.

While three months without sun during the winter would take some getting used to, spectacular views of the Northern Lights would certainly help.

The Hjertefølgers have been happily living there ever since.

They plan to hold yoga retreats and workshops at their beautiful home. If you'd like to see some of their pictures (and can read Norwegian!), check out their blog.