Presented at the AMPS Livable Cities Conference in Manchester, this research explores how co-design approaches can improve the planning, performance, and long-term success of off-grid housing. The presentation examines the intersection of community participation, architectural design, energy systems, and user behaviour, arguing that successful autonomous housing requires more than technical optimisation alone. By drawing on contemporary co-design theory and emerging off-grid housing research, the study proposes a collaborative framework that brings homeowners, designers, and stakeholders together throughout the design process.