Peace, quiet, inspiration and time to work. Off grid art studios in remote locations are increasingly popular for artists. And today’s technology makes these beautifully sited structures simpler than ever to build.

The best known Canadian off grid studios are on Fogo Island, off Newfoundland, overlooking the wild Atlantic, isolated and famous for its international artist residencies.

Designed by Newfoundland-born, Norway-based architect Todd Saunders, the impact of the construction was minimized by the use of local materials, largely transported to the remote sites by hand.  

Anchored in volcanic rock

Anchored into a landscape of volcanic rock by steel legs, the Fogo Island studios range in size from 200 to 1200 square feet and are completely off grid — equipped with compost toilets, solar powered electricity and wood-burning stoves.

Now in its 17th year, the Fogo Island residencies enable artists to create and connect, promoting discovery across perspectives and disciplines, the arts organization says.

Architecture firms the world over are now creating universal prefab structures adaptable for art and other purposes, like this off grid cabin (below) by Italy’s Llab studio overlooking the Trebbia valley near Genoa.

Remote and Self-Contained

Scotland’s Bothy Stores has a collection of “inspirational, versatile, prefabricated contemporary cabins” for use as artist studios, self-contained remote accommodation or garden offices.

Textile artist Marie Bruhat uses a Bothy at her croft on Fair Isle, the southernmost of the Shetland Islands, to provide additional space for her knitwear design studio (above and below).

The Great Lakes Cabin (below) was the prototype for the Backcountry Hut Company. It was assembled over a 72-hour period and purchased by an attendee at a Toronto trade show. Come spring, it was trucked, barged and re-assembled on a remote island in Georgian Bay.

And then there’s the higher-end one-off designed by an architect, like this one surrounded by a forest of Douglas fir, madrone, and oak trees, in Healdsburg, California (featured in Dwell, here)

The couple (a graphic designer and illustrator and an entrepreneur) live in a 10-acre off-grid home but wanted a remote studio for creating without distraction; a place that felt woven into the outdoors. It’s more elaborate than any off grid studio you’ll likely ever see but included as inspiration. (See all the images of this art studio on Dwell, here)