Powered almost entirely from the sun, this one-man tribute to nature is considered to be the pinnacle  of environmental science anywhere in the world. It is a virtual feast for the senses, inspiring everyone to reach for their own highest dreams and goals. No where else in America is there a more inspiring piece of work. Using the forest around him and the latest in hi-tech, artist and designer, Vic Cook has spent over a decade and 26,000 hours building this landmark environmental exhibit.

The Giant (a name excerpted from "one giant leap for mankind") Reflects Cook's philosophy that it's time for people to return to a lifestyle that's in balance with nature. Unlike many others who have espoused a similar philosophy, however, Cook believes we can do so without giving up creature comforts.

Visitors will be amazed to learn that, although his fuel bill is $1.00 A day at the most, Cook's home contains a high-tech recording studio with a fantastic sound system, a big-screen television, two computers, and a washing machine. Perhaps the most unique object in the house is the refrigerator Cook fashioned from a hollow beech tree. Lined with a special insulation, it is cooled by underground air and has a separate freezer section (further cooled by a microchip) that keeps even ice cream solid. Air-conditioning also is provided naturally by underground sources. 

Cook uses a few kerosene heaters in the winter, but he needs a minimum of fuel because his house is super-insulated. The house is powered by six storage batteries that are charged by solar panels, with a gasoline-powered generator on hand for alternative power when the weather stays cloudy for days. And yes, he does have an indoor toilet--a composting unit. There's another bonus, too. Because Cook has no utility hookups, his real estate taxes are extremely low.

Although the Giant took eight years to build, Cook believes it would be possible for a couple of reasonably fit people to build a similar structure in one summer for about $3,500.

ARTIST VIC COOK'S STATEMENT ABOUT THE 'GIANT'

The ‘GIANT’ was designed to, in every way possible, be green. Its’ carbon footprint is extremely small since the ‘GIANT’, on average year round, uses less than one gallon of fossil fuel per day.
It gleans almost all of its’ electrical energy from the sun.
The building materials came from the site, greatly reducing the task of transporting these materials over long distances to the home site (nine semi loads of wood).
The ‘GIANT’ was designed to be a guest in the forest. An absolute minimum of woods & meadow were changed to create the structure. The roadway into the woods & home is a living road.
It is designed not to be ultra convenient, but rather to teach the family to learn to gain as many of their basic needs as possible from the forest, meadows and streams at the home site.
The ‘GIANT’ was my attempt at making my ‘art’ multifunctional focusing on the following;
Entertainment and education, beneficial to all of society in general (tens of thousands of schools and public groups have visited);
To serve as a natural museum (built from the forest) to showcase Vic’s father, Frank Cook’s art along with other local artist’s wares;
To be acoustically tuned to serve as a concert hall for Vic & other musicians with seating for approx. 80 people & a 10’ X 20’ stage;
A conversation piece, stirring conversation about positive change;
To provide protection for the family, an 18’ X 50’ section in the underground part serves as a nuclear shelter sealed for radiation;
Ultra green architecture to improve overall the quality of life for the American family by urging every person to break away from traditional ways to be more creative and more adventurous in order to become a hi-tech pioneer family.
The ‘GIANT’ was designed to be built as inexpensively as possible ($3500.00) greatly reducing the overall stress for all of the family hence improving health and well being.

If you are interested in a tour, check out our Tour Info page or Contact Us to set up a tour appointment.