Isolation is at its finest when youre living in anEarthship home.Want to learn more about these unique houses?
Weve got the answers to all your questions.
From a thats nuts!
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Lets explore theremarkable housesdesigned for maximum sustainability.
Just in case going off-grid, living in an upcycled home sounds like a dream to you!
The first Earthship was built back in the 1970s.
Earthship Biotecture is a brainchild by Architect Michael Reynolds, who first introduced the concept in 1971.
The unfortunate thing was that the idea of Earthship construction was somewhat nuts decades ago.
Who builds a house using garbage?
Who builds homes that dont have or need utilities?
But apparently, the man behind the concept knew something that the world didnt know then.
The Earthship community has gone global, too, and there are now several Earthship houses around the world.
And after decades, Michael Reynolds has also started The Greater World Earthship Community in Taos, New Mexico.
The Design: What Exactly Is an Earthship?
The popularity behind Earthship is primarily because of its low-impact building techniques and design principles.
However, the Earthship Biotecture concept has evolved over the decades.
As much as possible, Earthships incorporate as many natural and upcycled materials for construction.
The well-thought-out design also plays a huge role in Earthships climate control without using additional fuels.
No use of electric heat or burning wood or fossil fuels.
The structures add natural ventilation through operable vent boxes and buried cooling tubes to enhance cooling.
Does it provide enough to power an entire home, you ask?
The answer is it does because of the design down system for the Earthships electrical requirements.
That includes using incredibly efficient lighting, cooling systems, and pumps.
These design adjustments lead to 25% less electrical needs to run an Earthship than a conventional house.
Part of a sustainable design of an Earthship home is onsite sewage treatment.
It uses a biodigester toilet system that separates solid waste from liquid.
If that is not enough, Earthships are also equipped with an anaerobic digester for black water.
The vacuum-sealed tank allows bacteria to break down the organic matter, turning it into biogas.
An Earthship collects its own water from rain and snowmelt from the roof.
The water collected gets stored in cistern tanks, positioned to gravity-feed the homes water organization module.
In short, an Earthship home can thrive without taking water from wells or municipal sources.
It is why an internal organic food production system is a vital part of the Earthship Biotecture concept.
Earthship Academy offers extensive training on these design principles and construction methods.
The Earthship Academy also offers the same program in other parts of the world through International Academies.
How Are Earthships Made?
Meanwhile, the Trombe walls featuring south-facing glass create a stunning greenhouse effect.
And that strongly influenced the kind of materials used to build Earthships.
One of the common materials used is non-recycled tires filled with earth.
Besides using what one would consider a waste, tire walls also have an undeniable advantage.
Because they create relatively thick walls, they provide higher thermal mass that allows better climate control.
Although the roofing is not load-bearing, it adds a well-insulated feature to the entire structure.
Overall, the creativity and ingenuity of making an Earthship are boundless.
Its architectural design can be absolutely experimental.
It is why its extremely rare to find any two Earthships that look anything similar.
Should You Build an Earthship?
Thinking of going off-grid and making one of your own Earthship?
An Earthship is as sustainable as a home can get from start to finish.
Earthships are 100% sustainable and designed for independent operation off the grid.
With an onsite greenhouse that can grow food year-round, you might basically get free food.
Yes, its efficient, but Earthship dwellings are not primitive.
Its comforts are more sustainable than that of a modern home.
Thats good enough, but whats even better is you dont have to pay an electric company for it.
The effective water harvesting techniques of an Earthship also allow plenty of savings.
Besides only using inexpensive materials, construction is also reasonably simple.
Its an owner-built sustainable home using printed plans.
The Disadvantages
Although Earthship houses have several selling points, its not for everyone.
Although the Earthship concept has been around for decades, its still a very new concept for structural design.
That includes zoning regulations and construction codes, which vary depending on location or state.
In theory, you’re free to make Earthships anywhere in the world.
Unfortunately, it wont hold up as much in humid, rainy climates.
How Much Does an Average Earthship Cost?
On average, a home like this can cost anywhere between $150 to $225 per square footage.
How Long Will It Take to Build an Earthship?
Final Thoughts on Earthship Homes
Thats everything about Earthships!
So, is it worth it to make one for yourself?
Well, it all depends on the kind of lifestyle youre looking for.
Does a comfortable off-grid, fuss-free lifestyle while also being conscious about climate change appeal to you?
If yes, an Earthship would make a worthy investment.
However, its also worth considering how much youre willing to spend on one.
