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{{Short description|Style of architecture that uses native materials and upcycled materials to build homes}}
[[File:G2 Global model Earthship Taos N.M..JPG|thumb|300px|South and East view of Earthship passive solar home]]
{{for|the worldview of humanity as the crew of a spacecraft|Spaceship Earth}}
[[File:G2 Global model Earthship Taos N.M..JPG|thumb|right|South and East view of an Earthship passive solar home]]
[[File:Earthship plan with vertically glazed southern wall.svg|thumb|right|Typical floorplan]]
[[File:Earthship Architecture.jpg|thumb|Earthship Architecture, Taos, New Mexico]]
An '''Earthship''' is a style of architecture developed in the late 20th century to early 21st century by architect [[Mike Reynolds (architect)|Michael Reynolds]]. Earthships are designed to behave as [[Passive solar building design|passive solar]] [[earth shelter]]s made of both natural and [[Upcycling|upcycled]] materials such as earth-packed [[Steel-belted radial|tires]]. Earthships may feature a variety of amenities and aesthetics, and are designed to withstand the extreme temperatures of a desert, managing to stay close to 70 °F (21 °C) regardless of outside weather conditions. Earthship communities were originally built in the desert of northern [[New Mexico]], near the [[Rio Grande]], and the style has spread to small pockets of communities around the globe, in some cases in spite of legal opposition to its construction and adoption.


Reynolds developed the Earthship design after moving to New Mexico and completing his degree in architecture, intending them to be "[[off-the-grid]]-ready" homes, with minimal reliance on [[public utilities]] and [[fossil fuels]]. They are constructed to use available natural resources, especially energy from the sun and rain water. They are designed with [[thermal mass]] construction and natural cross-ventilation to regulate indoor temperature, and the designs are intentionally uncomplicated and mainly single-story, so that people with little building knowledge can construct them. They can be perceived as a realization of the [[utopia]] of autonomous housing and [[sustainable living]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Booth |first1=Colin A. |last2=Rasheed |first2=Sona |last3=Mahamadu |first3=Abdul-Majeed |last4=Horry |first4=Rosemary |last5=Manu |first5=Patrick |last6=Awuah |first6=Kwasi Gyau Baffour |last7=Aboagye-Nimo |first7=Emmanuel |last8=Georgakis |first8=Panagiotis |title=Insights into Public Perceptions of Earthship Buildings as Alternative Homes |journal=Buildings |date=September 2021 |volume=11 |issue=9 |pages=377 |doi=10.3390/buildings11090377 |language=en |issn=2075-5309|doi-access=free |hdl=2436/625021 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>
An '''earthship''' is a type of [[passive solar]] house made of natural and recycled materials. Designed and marketed by '''Earthship Biotecture''' of [[Taos, New Mexico]], the homes are primarily constructed to work as [[autonomous building]]s and are generally made of earth-filled [[tires]], using [[thermal mass]] construction to naturally regulate indoor temperature. They are usually passively ventilated by cross ventilation assisted by thermal draught ([[Stack effect]]). Earthships are generally [[off-the-grid]] homes, minimizing their reliance on public utilities and [[fossil fuels]].
[[File:Earthship Windows, Water Barrels, and Solar Panels.jpg|thumb|Earthship windows, water barrels, and solar panels]]
Earthships are built to utilize the available local resources, especially energy from the sun. For example, windows on sun-facing walls admit lighting and heating, and the buildings are often horseshoe-shaped to maximize natural light and solar-gain during winter months. The thick, dense inner walls provide thermal mass that naturally regulates the interior temperature during both cold and hot outside temperatures.


== History ==
Internal, non-load-bearing walls are often made of a [[Honeycomb (geometry)|honeycomb]] of recycled cans joined by concrete and are referred to as [[tin can wall]]s. These walls are usually thickly plastered with [[stucco]].
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2021}}
[[File:FIRST EXPERIMENTAL HOUSE COMPLETED NEAR TAOS, NEW MEXICO USING EMPTY STEEL BEER AND SOFT DRINK CANS - NARA - 556623.jpg|thumb|Michael Reynolds' first building, the "Thumb House", was built in the early 1970s. It included features incorporated into later Earthship designs.]]


Earthship architecture began development in the 1970s, when the architect [[Mike Reynolds (architect)|Michael Reynolds]] set out to create a home that would fulfill three criteria. First, it would utilize [[sustainable architecture]], and materials indigenous to the local area or [[recycled]] materials wherever possible. Second, it would rely on natural energy sources and be independent from the electrical grid. Third, it would be feasible for a person with no specialized construction skills to build. Eventually, Reynolds's vision was transformed into the common U-shaped earth-filled tire homes seen today.
The roof of an Earthship is heavily insulated – often with two layers of four inch poly-iso insulation – for energy efficiency.


The name is based on the idea of a ship or a space ship, in order to allude to the home's ability to provide everything for their inhabitants to survive: shelter, power, waste management, water, and food.
==History==
[[File:Earthship Welcome Center.jpg|thumb|Earthship Welcome Center]]
[[File:FIRST EXPERIMENTAL HOUSE COMPLETED NEAR TAOS, NEW MEXICO USING EMPTY STEEL BEER AND SOFT DRINK CANS - NARA - 556623.tif|thumb|Michael Reynolds' first building, the '''Thumb House'''. Built in the early 1970s, it incorporated designs found in later Earthships]]
The Earthship as it exists today, began to take shape in the 1970s. [[Mike Reynolds (architect)|Mike Reynolds]], founder of Earthship Biotecture, a company that specializes in designing and building Earthships, wanted to create a home that would do three things; first, it would be [[sustainable architecture]], using material indigenous to the entire planet as well as recycled materials wherever possible. Second, the homes would rely on natural energy sources and be independent from the "grid", therefore being less susceptible to natural disasters and free from the electrical and water lines that Reynolds considered unsightly and wasteful. Finally, it would be economically feasible for the average person with no specialized construction skills to be able to create.
[[File:EXTERIOR OF AN EXPERIMENTAL ALL ALUMINUM BEER AND SOFT DRINK CAN HOUSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION NEAR TAOS, NEW MEXICO. THIS... - NARA - 556642.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A building being built of cans in the 1970s]]


== Construction and design ==
[[Image:RegularEarthshipDesign.svg|thumb|The design used with most earthships. A large series of windows and the use of tires characterize the earthsheltered building]]
{{More citations needed section|date=June 2021}}
Eventually, Reynolds' vision took the form of the common U-shaped earth-filled tire homes seen today. As a concept, the Earthship was not limited to tires – any dense material with a potential for thermal mass, such as concrete, adobe, dirtbags, or stone could theoretically be used to create a building similar to an Earthship. However, the earth-rammed tire is part of the definition of an Earthship.
[[File:EXTERIOR OF AN EXPERIMENTAL ALL ALUMINUM BEER AND SOFT DRINK CAN HOUSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION NEAR TAOS, NEW MEXICO. THIS... - NARA - 556642.jpg|thumb|right|Building with cans in the 1970s]]


Earthships are constructed based on six design principles that help contribute to the goal of environmentally sustainable building design:
Unlike many other materials, rammed-earth tires are easily accessible to the average person. Scrap tires are plentiful around the world and easy to come by; there are an estimated 2 billion tires throughout the United States. As of 1996, as many as 253 million scrap tires were being generated each year in the United States, with 70% being reclaimed by the scrap tire market (leaving perhaps 75 million scrap tires available for reuse as whole tires).<ref>{{cite news| first=Tom| last=Verde| url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0CE0DA133CF931A35751C1A960958260&n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FSubjects%2FT%2FTires| title= At Heart of Dispute, Tires by the Acre| date=December 2, 1996| publisher= The New York Times}}</ref> In addition to being readily available, the method by which scrap tires are converted into usable "bricks" (the ramming of the earth) is simple and affordable.


# '''Building with natural and repurposed materials:''' Earthships utilize materials such as used tires, cans, bottles, wood, and mud.
The earth-rammed tires of an Earthship are usually assembled by teams of two people working together as part of a larger construction team. One member of the two person team shovels dirt, which usually comes from the building site, placing it into the tire one scoop at a time. The second member, who stands on the tire, uses a sledge hammer to pack the dirt in. The second person moves in a circle around the tire to keep the dirt even and avoid warping the tire. These [[rammed earth]] tires in an Earthship are made in place because, when properly made, they weigh as much as 300 pounds and can be very difficult to relocate.
# '''Thermal or solar heating and cooling:''' Earthships heat and cool themselves using thermal mass and solar gain. They do not use electricity or the burning of fuel to maintain temperature.
# '''Electricity from solar and wind:''' Electricity is collected using photovoltaic panels and occasionally windmills. Additionally, the electrical requirements of the buildings are minimized through the use of energy efficient lighting and appliances.
# '''Water harvesting:''' Water is collected from rain and snowmelt in the roof and is then stored in a cistern for future use.
# '''Sewage treatment:''' Self-contained sewage treatment and water recycling.
# '''Food production:''' In-home organic food production capability.<ref name="Design Principles">{{Cite web |title=Design Principles |url=https://www.earthshipglobal.com/design-principles |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=Earthship Biotecture michael reynolds |language=en-US}}</ref>


The buildings are often horseshoe-shaped due to the difficulty of creating sharp 90 degree angles with rammed tires. In Reynolds's prototype at [[Taos, New Mexico|Taos]], the opening of the horseshoe faces 10–15 degrees east of south to maximize natural light and solar-gain during the winter months, with windows on sun-facing walls admitting light and heat.
Additional benefits of the rammed earth tire are its great load-bearing capacity and its resistance to fire.


The book, ''Earthship I'', describes how to find the best angle depending on the building's geographic location. The thick and dense walls provide thermal mass that naturally regulates the interior temperature during both cold and hot outside temperatures. The outer walls in the majority of Earthships are made of earth-rammed tires, but any dense material with a potential to store heat, such as [[concrete]], [[adobe]], [[Earthbag construction|earth bags]], or stone, could in principle be used to create a building similar to an Earthship. The tire walls are staggered like traditional brick work, and often have "concrete half blocks" every other course, to equal the length of the staggered tire below. In an effort to cut down the use of concrete even further, they also use "squishies" - tires rammed in between a tight space to even out the course or to compensate for varying tire size.
A fully rammed tire, which is about 2 feet 8&nbsp;inches wide, is massive enough to surpass conventional requirements for structural load distribution to the earth. Because the tire is full of soil, it does not burn when exposed to fire. In 1996 after a fire swept through many conventional homes in New Mexico, an Earthship discovered in the aftermath was relatively unharmed.<ref>{{Cite web|title=An Earthship goes through the Hondo Fire!|author= Earthship Biotecture|date= 25 March 2009 | url=http://www.earthship.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=507:an-earthship-goes-through-the-hondo-fire&catid=14:elog}}</ref> Only the south-facing wall and the roof had burned away, compared to the total destruction of the conventional homes.


[[File:RegularEarthshipDesign.svg|thumb|left|Most earthship structures are earth-sheltered buildings with a large series of windows and used tires]]
Currently, Earthships are in use in almost every state in the United States, as well as many countries in Europe. The use of insulation on the outside of tire walls, which was not common in early designs, is improving the viability of Earthships in every climate without compromising their durability. Earthships are continually being built by Earthship Biotecture around the world. Their popularity and use of inexpensive materials has inspired many to build their own homes as well.


The [[rammed earth]] tires of an Earthship are assembled by teams of two people. One person shovels dirt and places it into the tire one scoop at a time. The other person, who stands on the tire, uses a sledgehammer to pack the dirt in while moving in a circle around the tire to keep the dirt even and to avoid warping the tire.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Adobe and rammed earth buildings : design and construction|last=McHenry, Paul Graham.|year=1989 |orig-year=1984|publisher=University of Arizona Press|isbn=0816511241|location=Tucson|oclc=19849881}}</ref> Rammed earth tires can weigh up to {{cvt|300|lb}}, so they are typically filled in place. Because the tire is full of soil, it does not burn when exposed to fire.<ref>{{cite web |title=An Earthship goes through the Hondo Fire! |url=http://www.earthship.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=507:an-earthship-goes-through-the-hondo-fire&catid=14:elog |website=earthship.org|publisher=Earthship Biotecture, LLC |access-date=5 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328180228/http://earthship.com/Earthship-Log/an-earthship-goes-through-the-hondo-fire.html |archive-date=28 March 2012}}</ref> In colder climates, extra insulation is added on the outside of the tire walls.
==Systems==
The Earthship was designed as a structure that would be free of the constraints of centralized utilities, which most modern shelters rely on. Earthships must be able to create their own utilities, and to utilize readily available sustainable materials. In order to be entirely self-sufficient, the Earthship needs to be able to handle the three systems of water, electricity, and climate.


[[File:Tire Bricks (5751089164).jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Tires rammed with earth and stacked]]
==Water==


On top of the tire walls are either "can and concrete bond beams" made of [[Reuse|reused]] cans joined by concrete, or wooden bond beams with wooden shoes. These are attached to the tire walls using concrete anchors, poured blocks of concrete inside the top tires. Wooden shimming blocks placed on top of the wooden bond beam make up the wooden shoes. The wooden bond beam consists of two layers of lumber bolted on to the concrete anchors. Re-bar is used to "nail" the wooden shoes to the wooden bond beam.
=== Collection ===
[[Image:Rainwater harvesting system.svg|thumb|A domestic rainwater harvesting system]]
Earthships are designed to catch and use water from the local environment without bringing in water from a centralized source. Water used in an Earthship is harvested from rain, snow, and condensation. As water collects on the roof, it is channeled through a silt-catching device and into a cistern. The cisterns are positioned so they gravity-feed a WOM (water organization module) that filters out bacteria and contaminants and makes it suitable for drinking. The WOM consists of filters and a DC-pump that are screwed into a panel. Water is then pushed into a conventional pressure tank to create common household water pressure.


Internal, non-load-bearing walls are often made of a [[honeycomb]] of reused cans joined by concrete; these are nicknamed [[tin can wall]]s. These walls are usually thickly plastered with [[adobe]], and resemble traditional adobe walls when finished.
Water collected in this fashion is used for every household activity except flushing toilets. The water used for flushing toilets has been used at least once already: frequently it is filtered waste-water from sinks and showers, and described as "Greywater".


The roof is made using trusses, or wooden support beams called [[Viga (architecture)|vigas]], that rest on the wooden shoes or the tin can walls placed on the bond beams. The roof as well as the north, east and west facing walls are heavily insulated to reduce heat loss.
=== Greywater ===
[[Greywater]], used water that is unsuitable for drinking, is used within the Earthship for a multitude of purposes. First, before the greywater can be reused, it is channeled through a grease and particle filter/digester and into a 30"-60" deep rubber-lined [[botanical cell]], a miniature [[living machine]], within the Earthship. With imbedded plants, this filter also potentially can be used to produce food (for example, by using a [[fruit tree]]). [[Water oxygenation|Oxygenation]], [[filtration]], [[transpiration]], and bacteria-encounter all take place within the cell and help to cleanse the water (Reynolds 2000). Within the botanical cell, filtration is achieved by passing the water through a mixture of gravel and plant roots. Because of the nature of plants, oxygen is added to the water as it filters, while nitrogen and phosphate is removed. Note that plant root cells do not produce oxygen but consume it; only the leaves of plants produce oxygen. Water taken up through the plants and transpired at their tops helps to humidify the air. In the cell, bacteria will naturally grow and help to cleanse the water.


The average cost in 2019 including labour and land is about $500,000.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}
Water from the low end of the botanical cell is then directed through a peat-moss filter and collected in a reservoir or well. This reclaimed water is then passed once more through a greywater board and used to flush conventional toilets.


== Water ==
Often, greywater made at earthships is not polluted enough to justify treatment (its "pollution" being usually just soap, which is often not environmentally damaging). At earthships, plants are placed at outlets of fixtures to regain the water and the nutrients lost (e.g. from the soaps). Usually, a single plant is placed directly in front of the pipe, but mini drain-fields are also sometimes used. The pipe is made large enough (5,08&nbsp;cm) so that the formation of underground gas (from the greywater) is avoided. This is done with kitchen and bathroom sinks, and even showers, washing machines, and dishwashing machines. The plants are usually placed indoors with the sinks and outdoors with the washing/dishwashing machines and shower (to avoid indoor "floods"). Also, with the latter, larger drain-fields are used instead of a mere plant being placed before an outlet.<ref>[http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/earthship.htm Plants placed at fixtures in earthships]</ref>
{{More citations needed section|date=June 2021}}
[[File:Earthship water system.png|thumb|left|The water system with integrated flush toilet, as used in most earthships]]


[[File:Earthship scupper.JPG|thumb|right|A [[scupper]] for collecting rainwater]]
===Black water===
[[File:Earthship water system.png|thumb|The water system with integrated flush toilet, as used in most earthships]]
[[Blackwater (waste)|Black water]], water that has been used in a toilet, was usually not created within many of the earliest earthships as the use of conventional toilets was discouraged.<ref>Earthship Volume 2:Systems and components</ref> Instead, in the early days [[composting toilet]]s were advocated, which use no water at all. However, with the new greywater treatment system design (as used in Nautilus and Helios) created by Michael Reynolds, flush toilets have now found a place in the earthship and the general water system has been redesigned according to the new "6-step process".<ref>[http://heliohouse.com/tech.htm New water purification system process at Helios house: overview with pictures]</ref><ref>[http://www.earthship.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=25 Wastewater path]{{Citation broken|date=March 2009}}</ref>


Earthships are designed to catch all the water they need from the local environment. Water used in an Earthship is [[Rainwater harvesting|harvested]] from rain, snow, and condensation. Each inch of rain collected per square foot of water yields 2/3 gallons of water.<ref name="Design Principles"/> As water collects on the roof, it is channeled through a silt-catching device and into a cistern. The cisterns are positioned to gravity-feed a water organization module (WOM) that filters out bacteria and contaminants, making it suitable for drinking. The WOM consists of filters and a DC-pump. Water is then pushed into a conventional pressure tank to create common household water pressure.
Now, when the newly included flush-toilets are used, blackwater is not reused within the Earthship. Instead, blackwater is sent to a solar-enhanced septic tank with leach-field and planter cells (the whole being often referred to as the "incubator"). The solar-enhanced septic tank is a regular [[septic tank]] which is heated by the sun and glazed with an equator-facing window. The incubator stores the sun's heat in its concrete mass, and is insulated, to help the anaerobic process. Water from the incubator is channeled out to an exterior [[leach field]] and then to landscaping "planter cells" (spaces surrounded by concrete in which plants have been put). The cells are similar to the botanical cell used in greywater treatment and are usually placed just before and under the windows of the earthship.


Water collected in this fashion is used for every household activity except flushing toilets. The toilets are flushed with [[greywater]] which has been used at least once already. Typically it is filtered waste-water from sinks and showers.
In cases where it is not possible to use flush-toilets operating on water, [[dry solar toilet]]s are now advocated, instead of ''regular'' [[composting toilet]]s. If this is the case, obviously no black water is formed and the use of an incubator is thus (usually) not necessary. Instead, regular "planters" (plants used for sucking up water/nutrients) are then used. When using regular planters as well, no chemical soaps or detergents can be used.


[[File:Inside greenhouse of Global model Earthship.JPG|thumb|upright=0.6|An interior botanical cell; the plants function as water treatment for graywater]]
The space where the WOM (water organization module), graywater pump panel, pressure tank, (first set of) batteries, and POM (power organising module) are stored is in a small room referred to as the "systems package".


[[Greywater]], recycled water unsuitable for drinking, is used within the Earthship primarily for flushing toilets. Before the greywater can be reused, it is channeled through a grease and particle filter/digester and into a {{cvt|30–60|in}} deep rubber-lined botanical cell,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://earthship-academy-experience.tumblr.com/post/40568274700/the-botanical-cell-within-the-botanical-cell |title=The Earthship Academy experience |access-date=23 August 2015}}</ref> a miniature [[living machine]], within the Earthship. Here the water is [[Water oxygenation|oxygenated]] and [[filtration|filtered]] using bacteria and plants to reduce the nutrient load.<ref name="Reynolds">{{cite book |last=Reynolds |first=Mike |title=Comfort In Any Climate |year=2000 |publisher= Solar Survival Press |location=Taos, New Mexico |isbn=0-9626767-4-8}}</ref>
==Electricity==
Water from the low end of the botanical cell is directed through a [[Sphagnum|peat moss]] filter and collected in a reservoir or well. The [[reclaimed water]] is passed once more through a greywater board and used to flush conventional toilets.
[[Image:PVSolarSystem.svg|thumb|A PV-solar system]]
Earthships are designed to collect and store their own energy from a variety of sources. The majority of electrical energy is harvested from the sun and wind. [[Photovoltaic]] panels and [[windturbine]]s located on or near the Earthship generate DC energy that is then stored in several types of [[deep-cycle batteries]]. The space in which the batteries are kept is usually a special, purpose-built room placed on the roof. Additional energy, if required, can be obtained from gasoline-powered generators or by integrating with the city grid.


[[Blackwater (waste)|Black water]] is water that has been used in a toilet. Earthships utilize [[anaerobic digestion]] in their [[septic tank]]s, which naturally separate solid waste. The black water is used in concrete cells containing plants, separate from the grey water plants in the [[greenhouse]]; it may also be used in exterior planters. Studies on the safety of growing food plants in a black water system show low levels of ''[[E. coli]]'' bacteria.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} It is not recommended to plant edibles in black water; building permits may be refused for plans indicating such usage of black water.
In an Earthship, a Power Organizing Module is used to take stored energy from batteries and [[Inverter (electrical)|invert]] it for AC use. The Power Organizing Module is a prefabricated system provided by Earthship Biotecture that is simply attached to a wall on the interior of the Earthship and wired in a conventional manner. It includes the necessary equipment such as [[circuit breakers]] and [[Voltage converter|converters]]. The energy run through the Power Organizing Module can be used to run any house-hold appliance including washing machines, computers, kitchen appliances, print machines, and vacuums. Ideally, none of the electrical energy in an Earthship is used for heating or cooling.<ref>[http://earthship.com/systems/energy.php] {{Dead link|date=March 2009|url=http://earthship.com/systems/energy.php}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=March 2009}}{{clear left}}


Where it is not possible to use flush-toilets operating on water, dry solar toilets are recommended.
==Climate==
The interior climate of an Earthship is stabilized and made comfortable by taking advantage of many phenomena. Mainly, the Earthship tries to take advantage of the properties of thermal mass and passive solar heating and cooling. Examples are large front windows with integrated [[Window blind|shades]], [[trombe wall]]s and other technologies such as [[Skylight (window)#Skylights|skylights]] or [[Steve Baer]]'s "Track Rack" solar trackers (dualling as an energy generation device and passive solar source).


== Power ==
The load-bearing walls of an Earthship, which are made from [[Steel-belted radial|steel-belted tires]] rammed with earth, serve two purposes. First, they hold up the roof, and second, they provide a dense [[thermal mass]] that will soak up heat during the day and radiate heat during the night, keeping the interior climate relatively comfortable all day.
[[File:2008 06 22-EarthShip SolShip-040 (2613604378).jpg|thumb|left|Solar panels on an Earthship]]
Earthships are designed to collect and store their own energy. The majority of electrical energy is harvested from the sun and wind. [[Photovoltaic]] panels and [[wind turbine]]s on or near the Earthship generate DC electricity that is stored in [[deep-cycle batteries]]. The batteries are housed in a purpose-built room on the roof. Additional energy can be obtained from gasoline-powered generators or by integrating with the city grid. For Canadian winters the solar cell exposed surface areas needs to be increased by over three times.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}


In an Earthship, a Power Organizing Module (POM) takes a proportion of stored energy from batteries and [[Inverter (electrical)|invert]] it for AC use. The Power Organizing Module is a prefabricated system provided by Earthship Biotecture that is simply attached to a wall on the interior of the Earthship and wired in a conventional manner. It includes the necessary equipment such as [[circuit breakers]] and [[Voltage converter|converters]]. The energy run through the Power Organizing Module can be used to run any household appliance including washing machines, computers, kitchen appliances, print machines, and vacuums. Ideally, none of the electrical energy in an Earthship is used for heating or cooling.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}
In addition to high thermal mass, some Earthships may be [[Earth sheltering|earth-sheltered]]. The benefits of earth-sheltering are twofold because it adds to the thermal mass and, if the Earthship is buried deep enough, allows the structure to take advantage of the Earth's stable temperature.


== Thermal performance ==
The Earthship is designed in such a way that the sun provides heating, ventilation, and lighting. To take advantage of the sun, an Earthship is positioned so that its principal wall, which is nonstructural and made mostly of glass sheets, faces directly towards the equator. This positioning allows for optimum solar exposure.
{{More citations needed section|date=June 2021}}
[[File:Solar Water Heater (5751093072).jpg|thumb|right|Solar water heater on an Earthship]]
Earthships rely on a balance between the solar heat gain and the ability of the tire walls and [[subsoil]] to transport and store heat. They are designed to use the properties of thermal mass and with the intent that the exterior earth-rammed tire walls provide [[thermal mass]] that will soak up heat during the day and radiate heat during the night, keeping the interior climate relatively comfortable all day. In addition to the exterior tire walls, some Earthships are sunk into the earth to take advantage of [[Earth sheltering|earth-sheltering]] to reduce temperature fluctuations.


Some earthship structures have suffered from heat loss into the ground during the heating season. This may be due to climatic differences between [[New Mexico]] where earthships were first built and cloudier, cooler, and wetter climates. Thermal performance problems may also have occurred due to [[thermal mass]] being erroneously equated to [[R-value (insulation)|R-value]]. The imperial R-value of soil is about 1 per foot.<ref>{{cite web |title=Energy Extension Service: BUILDING ENVELOPE: Basement |url=http://www.engext.ksu.edu/ees/henergy/envelope/basement.html |website=ksu.edu |publisher=KSU Engineering Extension |access-date=5 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027045557/http://www.engext.ksu.edu/ees/henergy/envelope/basement.html |archive-date=27 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Malcolm Wells]], an architect and authority on earth-sheltered design, recommends an imperial [[R-value (insulation)|R-value]] 10 insulation between deep soils and heated spaces. Wells's insulation recommendations increase as the depth of the soil decreases (a negative correlation).
To allow the sun to heat the mass of the Earthship, the solar-oriented wall is angled so that it is perpendicular to light from the winter sun. This allows for maximum exposure in the winter, when heat is wanted, and lesser exposure in the summer, when heat is to be avoided. Some Earthships, especially those built in colder climates, use insulated shading on the solar-orientated wall to reduce heat loss during the night (Reynolds 2000).


In addition to thermal mass, Earthships use [[Passive solar building design|passive solar heating and cooling]]. Large front windows with integrated [[Window blind|shades]], [[trombe wall]]s and other technologies such as [[Skylight (window)#Skylights|skylights]] or [[Steve Baer]]'s "Track Rack" solar trackers are used for heat regulation. Earthships are positioned so that its principal wall, which is nonstructural and made mostly of glass sheets, faces directly toward the equator. This positioning allows for optimum solar exposure. To allow the sun to heat the mass of the Earthship, the solar-oriented wall is angled so that it is perpendicular to light from the winter sun. This allows for maximum exposure in the winter, when heat is wanted, and lesser exposure in the summer, when heat is to be avoided. Some Earthships, especially those built in colder climates, use insulated shading on the solar-orientated wall to reduce heat loss during the night.<ref name="Reynolds"/>
===Natural ventilation===
[[File:Convection banner 1.jpg|thumb|Natural convection cooling an Earthship]]
The earthships usually use their own [[natural ventilation]] system. It consists of cold(er) air coming in from a front ("hopper") window, especially made for this purpose and flowing out through (one of) the skylights that are placed on the earthship. As the hot air rises, the system creates a steady airflow - of cooler air coming in, and warmer air blowing out.


Current Earthship designs like the global module have a "double greenhouse" where the outside glass is angled toward the equator, and an internal glass wall forms a walk way or hallway as you step into the Earthship. This greenhouse is primarily used to grow food; it also creates a barrier for the 'comfort zone' inside the house.
==Heating problems==
Earthships rely on a balance between the solar heat gain and the ability of the tire walls and subsoil to transport and store heat. The design intends to require little if any auxiliary heat. Some earthships have suffered from overheating and some from overcooling.<!-- please provide a reference(s) to substantiate the claim that this problem is due to "failure to adjust to local conditions" and not a broader problem with the fundamental design -->


== Ventilation ==
Some earthships appear to have serious problems with heat loss. In these cases heat appears to be leaking into the ground constantly during the heating season and being lost. This situation may have arisen from the mistaken belief that ground-coupled structures (building in thermal contact with the ground) do not require insulation. The situation may also be due to large climatic differences between the sunny, arid, and warm Southwest (of the USA) where earthships were first built and the cloudier, cooler, and wetter climates where some are now being built. [[Malcolm Wells]], an architect and authority on earth-sheltered design, recommends an imperial [[R-value (insulation)|R-value]] 10 insulation between deep soils and heated spaces. Wells's insulation recommendations increase as the depth of the soil decreases.
[[File:Convection banner 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2<!--width for low image-->|Natural convection cooling an Earthship]]


Earthships structures have a [[natural ventilation]] system based on [[convection]]. A {{cvt|30|ft}} pipe extends from the interior of the house under the berm, cooling the air by the time it gets to the comfort zone. As the hot air rises, the system creates a steady airflow - of cooler air coming in, and warmer air blowing out though a smaller vented window in the greenhouse.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}
In very limited and specific situations, uncommon during the heating season, [[thermal mass]] can marginally increase the apparent R-value of a building assembly such as a wall. Generally speaking [[thermal mass]] and [[R-value (insulation)|R-value]] are distinct thermodynamic properties and should not be equated. Thermal performance problems apparently seen in some earthship designs may have occurred because of thermal mass being erroneously equated to R-value. The imperial R-value of soil is about 1 per foot.<ref>[http://www.engext.ksu.edu/ees/henergy/envelope/basement.html Kansas State University Extension Service]</ref>


== Around the world ==
==Potential advantages==
=== Africa ===
* Having an earth-bermed home with windows facing the sun is a good idea in any climate where heating is required.
[[File:Kamp's Earthship.png|thumb|Earthship built by Angel and Yvonne Kamp in South Africa]]
* Collecting rainwater that falls on the roof reduces the runoff impact of the building and may reduce water and even sewer service fees.
Angel and Yvonne Kamp built the first Earthship in South Africa between 1996 and 1998. They rammed a total of 1,500 tires for the walls. The Earthship, near [[Hermanus]], is located in a {{convert|60|ha|sqmi}} private nature reserve which is part of a {{convert|500|ha|sqmi}} area enclosed in a game fence and borders the [[Walker Bay]] Nature Reserve.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://earthship.com/2020/10/16/earthship-update-for-cape-town-south-africa/ |website=earthship.com |title=First Earthship in South Africa|date=16 October 2020 }}</ref>
* Having a combination of [[photovoltaic cells]] and wind generation is a prudent way to provide electricity in many situations.
* Using curved modules as horizontal arches to resist earth loads is a sound structural design.
* On-site processing of runoff water, grey water, and black water using plant beds reduces the environmental impact of the building.
* Rubber tires make a wind- and puncture- resistant wall. They may be safe from [[outgassing]] when plastered semi-airtight.
* Rubber tires are usually free and it may be possible to be paid to take them. It also is beneficial to keep them out of landfills or prevent them from being illegally burnt.
*Potential to eliminate utility bills.
*The structure is highly moldable to different aesthetic tastes.


The second earthship in South Africa is a recycling centre in Khayelitsha run as a swap shop. The centre was finished in December 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.urbansprout.co.za/khayelitsha_earthship_help_set_sail_for_a_new_housing_destination |title=khayelitsha earthship: help set sail for a new housing destination |last1=E |first1=Michael |date=November 11, 2010 |website=UrbanSprout |access-date=14 May 2013}}</ref> Another low-cost house built with tires is in development in [[Bloemfontein]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aardskip.blogspot.com/2012/12/aardskip-com-supports-qala-tala-to.html |title=Aardskip.com supports Qala Tala to create earthship RDP housing |last1=Everson |first1=Ludwig |date=December 22, 2012 |website=aardskip.blogspot.com |publisher=aardskip.com |access-date=14 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.agritv.co.za/articles/qala-tala-project/ |title=Qala Tala Project |date= January 18, 2013 |website=Growing Tomorrow (AgriTV) |publisher=The Weekly |access-date=14 May 2013}}</ref>
==Potential Disadvantages==
* Aesthetics are not universally appreciated.


The Earthship inspired experiment in [[South Africa]] is combined living quarters and the Sonskip / Aardskip open-air museum in [[Orania, Northern Cape|Orania]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aardskip.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22&Itemid=29 |title=Where in the world is Experiment Aardskip? |website=aardskip.com |access-date=14 May 2013}}</ref> This earthship is based on the global earthship model and is built with a foundation of tires, have roof bearing walls built with [[Earthbag construction|earthbag]]s and interior walls built with cob, cans, and plastic bottles. This Earthship adheres to all six principles of an Earthship. This is the largest earthbag earthship in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.toptravel.co.za/top-travel-review.php?review=60 |title=Top Travel in Orania }}</ref>
== Europe ==
[[File:Brighton Earthship.JPG|thumb|left|Brighton Earthship, UK]]
In 2000, [[Mike Reynolds (architect)|Michael Reynolds]] and his team came to build the first residential earthship in Boingt (Belgium). While water, power module, solar panels and the team were on their way to Europe, the mayor of Boingt put his veto on the building permit. So Josephine Overeem, the woman who wanted to build the earthship, and Michael Reynolds decided to do a demonstration model in her back yard at her residence in [[Strombeek-Bever|Strombeek]] (Belgium). CLEVEL, invited Reynolds from Belgium to Brighton in the UK, and orchestrated plans for the earthship in Brighton, started in 2003. This was the beginning of a series of trips made by Reynolds and the construction of earthships in the UK, France and the Netherlands.


A residential house was in the planning phase for [[Eswatini]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.earthships.co.za/category/swaziland-project/ |title=Archive for the 'Swaziland Project' Category |last1=Harding |first1=Stewart |website=earthships.co.za |access-date=14 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010184736/http://www.earthships.co.za/category/swaziland-project/ |archive-date=10 October 2013 }}</ref>
In 2004, the very first Earthship in the UK was opened at [[Kinghorn]] Loch in Fife, Scotland. It was built by volunteers of the SCI charity. In 2005, the first earthship in England was established in [[Stanmer Park]], [[Brighton]] with the [[Low Carbon Trust]].


In 2011, construction began on the Goderich [[Waldorf education|Waldorf School]] of [[Sierra Leone]]. The school was the first educational institution to use earthship architecture. Although Mike Reynolds and a team of interns helped complete the first two classrooms, the majority of the building was built by community members who had been trained in Reynolds' building techniques.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://earthship.com/ten-days-in-africa.html |title=Ten Days in Africa |last1=Elliot |first1=Sam |date=March 21, 2012 |website=earthship.com |publisher=Earthship Biotecture |access-date=14 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Hughes|first=Amanda|title=University of Cincinnati alum builds homes with recycled materials|journal=UC Magazine|issue=May 2009|url=http://magazine.uc.edu/issues/0509/architect.html|access-date=14 May 2013}}</ref>
In 2007, CLEVEL<ref>[http://www.clevel.co.uk/ CLEVEL]</ref> and Earthship Biotecture obtained full planning permission to build on a valuable development site overlooking the [[Brighton Marina]] in the UK. The application followed a successful six-month feasibility study, orchestrated by Daren Howarth, Kevan Trott and Michael Reynolds and funded by the UK Environment Agency and the Energy Savings Trust. The successful application was for sixteen one, two, and three-bedroom earthship homes on this site. The homes are all designed according to basic earthship principles developed in the United States and adapted to the UK. 15,000 tires will be recycled to construct these homes (the UK burns approximately 40 million tires each year). The plans include the enhancement of habitats on the site for [[lizard]]s that already live there, which is the reasoning behind entitling the project "The Lizard". This would have been the first development of its kind in Europe, and successful development in [[Brighton]] may help to pave the way for similar projects around the UK and other places.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20071213144133/http://www.earthship.co.uk/earthship-homes.htm Earthship Homes development] (archived from [http://www.earthship.co.uk/earthship-homes.htm the original] on 2007-12-13).</ref>


A new project was scheduled to commence in [[Malawi]] in October 2013. During that first visit, the team was able to complete two of the intended eight rooms.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://earthship.com/earthship-malawi-africa-%E2%80%93-join-us.html |title= Earthship Malawi, Africa – Join Us! |last1=Nardone |first1=Jeane |date=April 5, 2013 |website=earthship.com |publisher=Earthship Biotecture |access-date=14 May 2013}}</ref> Biotechure Planet Earth came back to collaborate on the Malawi project in 2015 in order to complete the community center for the rural village.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.biotectureplanetearth.org/projects/malawi-africa/ |title=Past project – Malawi Earthship Community Center |website=biotectureplanetearth.org |access-date=2022-08-26}}</ref> The crew was made up of a group of volunteers as well as locals all made up to create an 8-room building made out of tires, cans and bottles. Finally, in a web post uploaded in February 2020, it was confirmed that the community structure in Kapita, Malawi could be finished.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kapita, Malawi Earthship |url=https://earthshipbiotecture.com/kapita-malawi-earthship/ |website=Earthship Biotecture |access-date=18 May 2022 |date=8 February 2020}}</ref>
The first official Earthship home in mainland Europe with official planning permission approval was built in a small French village called Ger. The home, which is owned by Kevan and Gillian Trott, was built in April 2007 by Kevan, Mike Reynolds and an Earthship Crew from Taos. The design was modified for a European climate and is seen as the first of many for the European arena. It is currently used as a holiday home for eco-tourists.<ref>Kevin Telfer, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/apr/26/top100flightfreeholidays.green Super green European breaks] (26 April 2008 ), The Guardian.</ref>


=== Australia ===
Further adaptation to the European context was undertaken by Daren Howarth and Adrianne Nortje in [[Brittany]], France. They obtained full planning permission in 2007 and finished the Brittany Groundhouse as their own home during 2009. The build experience and learning is elegantly captured in the UK [[Grand Designs]] series and in their book.<ref>[http://www.groundhouse.com/ Groundhouse]</ref>
Earthship Ironbank was built by Martin and [[Zoe Freney]] south-east of Adelaide in South Australia and is the first earthship constructed with council permission in Australia.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Freney |first1=Martin |title=From earth, cans and tyres: Earthship Ironbark - Renew |url=https://renew.org.au/renew-magazine/reuse-recycling/from-earth-cans-and-tyres-earthship-ironbark/ |website=Renew |access-date=19 October 2018}}</ref>


=== Europe ===
Meanwhile earthships have been built or are being built in Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Sweden, Estonia and Czech Republic. A good overview of the earthships built in Europe can be found on the web page of European Earthship Builder United,<ref>European Earthship Builders United - [http://eebu.earthshipeurope.org/index.php?option=com_gmapfp&view=gmapfp&layout=categorie&catid=46&id_perso=2&Itemid=107 European earthship map]</ref> together with information on earthships being built.<ref>European Earthship Builders United - [http://eebu.earthshipeurope.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=69&Itemid=98 European projects map]</ref> A good chronological overview on the earthships built in Europe by [[Mike Reynolds (architect)|Michael Reynolds]] can be found in the article 'Europe'.<ref>Article - [http://www.earthshipeurope.org/index.php/earthships/europe?showall=1&limitstart= Europe]</ref>
[[File:Earthship Brighton Front.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2<!--width for low image-->|[[Earthship Brighton]], England]]


In 2000, [[Mike Reynolds (architect)|Michael Reynolds]] and his team came to build the first residential earthship in Boingt (Belgium). While water, power module, solar panels and the team were on their way to Europe, the mayor of Boingt put his veto on the building permit. Josephine Overeem, the woman who wanted to build the earthship, and Michael Reynolds decided to do a demonstration model in her back yard at her residence in [[Strombeek-Bever|Strombeek]] (Belgium). CLEVEL<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clevel.co.uk/|title=Carbon Offsets - Carbon Offsetting - Carbon Neutrality - CLevel|work=C LEVEL|access-date=23 August 2015}}</ref> invited Reynolds from Belgium to Brighton in the UK, and orchestrated plans for the earthship in Brighton, started in 2003. This was the beginning of a series of trips made by Reynolds and the construction of earthships in the UK, France and the Netherlands.
The first official earthship district (23 earthships) in Europe is currently being developed in [[Olst]] (the Netherlands). Building will start in spring 2012.<ref>Web site Aardehuis [http://www.aardehuis.nl/en/what-we-want/the-project.html - The project]</ref> In Belgium, 1 earthship hybrid is also being built, intended as demonstration buildings. Since it is illegal to use tires in Belgium (for risk of leaking toxic metals like lead and zinc),<ref>EOS magazine, march 2012</ref> The project uses sandbags to build their earthship instead.


In 2004, the very first Earthship in the UK was opened at [[Kinghorn]] Loch in Fife, Scotland. It was built by volunteers of the SCI charity. In 2005, the first earthship in England was established in [[Stanmer Park]], [[Brighton]] with the [[Low Carbon Trust]]. In 2007, CLEVEL and Earthship Biotecture obtained planning permission to build on a development site overlooking the [[Brighton Marina]] in the UK. The application followed a six-month feasibility study, orchestrated by Daren Howarth, Kevan Trott and Michael Reynolds and funded by the UK Environment Agency and the Energy Savings Trust. The successful application was for sixteen one, two, and three-bedroom earthship homes on this site, expected to have a sale price of 250 - 400,000 pounds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ecohomenews.wordpress.com/2010/10/18/docking-into-mother-earthship/ |title=Docking into mother earthship |work=Eco Home News |access-date=23 August 2015}}</ref> The homes are all designed according to basic earthship principles developed in the United States and adapted to the UK. 15,000 tires will be reused to construct these homes (the UK burns approximately 40 million tires each year). The plans include the enhancement of habitats on the site for [[lizard]]s that already live there, which is the reasoning behind entitling the project "The Lizard". This would have been the first development of its kind in Europe.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071213144133/http://www.earthship.co.uk/earthship-homes.htm Earthship Homes development] (archived from [http://www.earthship.co.uk/earthship-homes.htm the original] on 2007-12-13).</ref>
The Earthships built in Europe by [[Mike Reynolds (architect)|Michael Reynolds]] aren't always performing as promised and some show problems with moist and mould.<ref>Article - [http://www.earthshipeurope.org/index.php/earthships/performance?showall=1&limitstart= Performance]</ref> Some research into performance was done by the University of Brighton on the Brighton Earthship.<ref>Source: Thermal behaviour of an earth sheltered autonomous building – the Brighton Earthship, Dr. Kenneth Ip and Prof. Andrew Miller, Centre for Sustainability of the Built Environment - University of Brighton - United Kingdom</ref> Further research to adapting all but southern parts of European climate are definitely needed.


The first official Earthship home in mainland Europe with official planning permission approval was built in a small French village called Ger. The home, which was owned by Kevan and Gillian Trott, was built in April 2007 by Kevan, Mike Reynolds and an Earthship Crew from Taos, it was sold to a family in 2014. The design was modified for a European climate and is seen as the first of many for the European arena. It is currently used as a holiday home for eco-tourists.<ref>Kevin Telfer, [https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2008/apr/26/top100flightfreeholidays.green Super green European breaks] (26 April 2008 ), The Guardian.</ref>
== Africa ==
The first earthship in South Africa was built by Angel and Yvonne Kamp from 1996 to 1998. They rammed a total of 1,500 tires for the walls. The earthship, near [[Hermanus]], is located in a 60 hectare private nature reserve which is part of a 500000 hectare area enclosed in a game fence and borders the [[Walker Bay]] Nature Reserve.<ref>[http://www.fynbos.co0.za/html/chaynouqua.htm Walker Bay Earthship]{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref> The second earthship in South Africa is a recycling centre in Khayelitsha run as a swop shop concept. The centre was finished in December 2010.<ref>[http://www.urbansprout.co.za/khayelitsha_earthship_help_set_sail_for_a_new_housing_destination Khaylitsha Earthship]</ref>


Further adaptation to the European context was undertaken by Daren Howarth and Adrianne Nortje in [[Brittany]], France. They obtained full planning permission in 2007 and finished the Brittany Groundhouse as their own home during 2009. The build experience and learning is documented in the UK [[Grand Designs]] series and in their book.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.groundhouse.com/|title=Groundhouse - Earthship in Brittany |work=Groundhouse |access-date=23 August 2015}}</ref>
Two other projects in development in [[South Africa]] are a combined bed and breakfast and information and training centre in [[Orania, Northern Cape|Orania]]<ref>[http://www.aardskip.com Project/Projek Aardskip].</ref> and a residential house in [[Swaziland]].<ref>[http://www.earthships.co.za Sustainable Buildings Earthships » Earthships Sustainable Living South Africa Swaziland]. Earthships.co.za. Retrieved on 2010-11-26.</ref>


Earthships have been built or are being built in Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, The Netherlands,<ref>Annette Toonen. "Duurzaam theedrinken in aardehuis," in ''[[NRC Handelsblad]],'' 20 November 2008; In 2008 an Earthship teahouse was built in Zwolle, initiated by [[Theo Lalleman]] and the OWAZE Foundation.</ref> United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Estonia and Czech Republic.
==Argentina==
[http://www.navetierramdq.com.ar NaveTierra MDQ] is a Mar del Plata-based project activating people and resources to build a demonstration NaveTierra (Spanish preferred contraction for Earthship). Until land for the project is acquired, knowledge is developed and put to work towards assembling the puzzle at the Estación Permacultural (Permacultural Station).


The first official earthship district (23 earthships) in Europe was developed in [[Olst]] (the Netherlands). Building started in Spring 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aardehuis.nl/en/what-we-want/the-project.html|title=The project|date=2012-06-18|website=aardehuis.nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410042610/http://www.aardehuis.nl/en/what-we-want/the-project.html|archive-date=2013-04-10|url-status=dead}}</ref> and completed in December, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aardehuis.nl/en/earthships/news/614-last-hulls-earth-houses-completed|title=Vereniging Aardehuis Oost-Nederland - Last hulls Earth houses completed!|last=Gorter|first=Karin de|website=www.aardehuis.nl|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-04-14|archive-date=2018-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029163919/http://www.aardehuis.nl/en/earthships/news/614-last-hulls-earth-houses-completed|url-status=dead}}</ref> In Belgium, 1 earthship hybrid is also being built, intended as demonstration buildings. Since it is illegal to use tires in Belgium (for risk of leaking toxic metals like lead and zinc),<ref>EOS magazine, March 2012</ref> the project uses [[Earthbag construction|earthbags]] instead.
== The film ==
There is a film titled [[Garbage Warrior (film)|Garbage Warrior]] about Earthships and Reynolds' struggle with the law.


The Earthships built in Europe by [[Mike Reynolds (architect)|Michael Reynolds]] have to be adapted to perform as intended. Some showed problems with moisture and mould.<ref>Article - [http://www.earthshipeurope.org/index.php/earthships/performance?showall=1&limitstart= Performance]</ref> Some research into thermal performance was done by the [[University of Brighton]] on the Brighton Earthship.<ref>Source: Thermal behaviour of an earth sheltered autonomous building – the Brighton Earthship, Dr. Kenneth Ip and Prof. Andrew Miller, Centre for Sustainability of the Built Environment - University of Brighton - United Kingdom</ref><ref>Hewitt, M. and Telfer, K. (2007). ''Earthships: building a zero carbon future for homes''. {{ISBN|978-1-86081-972-8}}</ref> The first successful construction of an Earthship in Germany (Tempelhof/Kreßberg, 2015/16) used fewer thermal bridges but increased insulation in cooperation with a Fraunhofer Institute to prevent any mould problems.<ref>TV report by 3sat, 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2t7bTX3KMQ</ref>
==Gallery==
<center><gallery perrow=3 widths=220px heights=160px>
File:Earthship inside greenhouse.JPG|Earthship inside greenhouse.
File:Unfinished Earthship.JPG|E.V.E project under construction.
File:Inside Earthship visitors centers.JPG|Inside Earthship visitors centers.
File:Earthdhip concept.jpg|An Earthship interacts with the elements as part of the ecosystem.
File:Vaulted Earthship entrance.JPG|Vaulted Earthship entrance.
File:G2 Earthship Taos N.M..JPG|Front face of a Global model Earthship.
Image:Bottle, Tire and Brick walls of Earthships.JPG|Earthships are made of earth-rammed tires, cement, steel, bottles and cans.
Image:PHOENIXBATH.jpg|[[Bottle wall]]s are used in earthships such as this earthship bathroom, located in Phoenix Earthship, Taos, NM, USA.
Image:Interior of the Solaria Earthship.JPG|Interior of the Solaria Earthship with sun coming in from the south facing windows (Taos, New Mexico)
</gallery></center>


=== Central America ===
==See also==
An earthship was constructed in 2015 by the Atkinson family in southern [[Belize]]. It featured on the June 2015 UK [[Channel 4]] TV programme [[Escape to the Wild]], season 1, episode 3.
{{portal|Home}}
*[[Friedensreich Hundertwasser]]
*[[Geothermal]]
*[[Hurricane-proof building]]
*[[Permaculture]]
*[[Repurposing]]
*[[Spaceship Earth]]


[[Guatemala]] also hosts two earthships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://earthship.com/guatemala|title=Earthship - Guatemala|work=Earthship Biotecture|access-date=23 August 2015}}</ref>
==Notes==
{{Reflist|2}}


=== South America ===
==References==
The first Earthship in [[South America]] was built in January 2014 in the town of [[Ushuaia]], [[Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina|Tierra del Fuego]], [[Argentina]]. Today this building functions as a visitor center and example of self-sustainable living.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.eldiariodelfindelmundo.com/noticias/2014/02/03/51530-finalizo-la-construccion-de-la-nave-tierra|title=Finalizó la construcción de la Nave Tierra |trans-title=Construction of the Earthship completed |language=es |publisher=El Diario del Fin del Mundo}}</ref>

In March 2016, an Earthship school was built in [[Jaureguiberry, Uruguay|Jaureguiberry]], [[Uruguay]].<ref name="en Jaureguiberry">{{cite news|url=http://www.elpais.com.uy/informacion/escuela-sustentable-jaureguiberry-llantas-botellas.html|title=Escuela de llantas y botellas: Se presenta en Jaureguiberry la primera escuela pública sustentable de Latinoamérica |trans-title=A school of tires and bottles: The first sustainable public school in Latin America is built in Jaureguiberry |language=es |publisher=[[El País (Uruguay)|EL PAIS]] |first=Carlos Cipriani |last=López |date=16 March 2016}}</ref> In May 2018, another Earthship school was built in [[Mar Chiquita (Buenos Aires)|Mar Chiquita]], [[Argentina]].<ref name="en MarChiquita">{{cite news|url=https://tercersector.org.ar/una-escuela-sustentable-mar-chiquita-un-ano-de-vida-y-grandes-resultados/|title=Una Escuela Sustentable, Mar Chiquita: un año de vida y grandes resultados|trans-title=A sustainable school: one year of life and great results|language=es}}</ref>

=== New Zealand ===
An earthship has been built by Dawn and Lance Kirtlan near [[Ashburton, New Zealand|Ashburton]], Canterbury. They were inspired by Mike Reynold's books and worked with a local architect and engineer, reporting that the local council were very supportive of the project.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-15 |title='We love it!' Couple over the moon with Earthship home |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/we-love-it-couple-over-moon-earthship-home |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
The film ''[[Garbage Warrior]]'' is about Earthships and Reynolds' struggle with obtaining permits to build out of unconventional material and off the grid.

The television series Building Off the Grid, which aired on the [[Magnolia Network|DIY Network]], featured a home construction episode about building an Earthship.

== See also ==
{{portal|Housing}}

* {{Annotated link |Hurricane-proof building}}
* {{Annotated link |Permaculture}}
* {{Annotated link |Peter Vetsch}}
* {{Annotated link |Repurposing}}
* {{Annotated link |Solar thermal energy}}

== Notes ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== References ==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*Contractor's Report to the Board: Designing Building Products Made With Recycled Tires. Published by the California Integrated Waste Management Board in June 2004. Produced under contract by: Chris Hammer, The Elements Division of BNIM Architects Terry A. Gray, T. A. G. Resource Recovery. Accessed at: http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Publications/Documents/GreenBuilding%5C43304008.pdf on 5 February 2015.
* Hewitt, M. and Telfer, K. (2007). ''Earthships: building a zero carbon future for homes''. ISBN 978-1-86081-972-8
* Hewitt, M. and Telfer, K. (2007). ''Earthships: building a zero carbon future for homes''. {{ISBN|978-1-86081-972-8}}
* Klippel, James H. http://www.garrellassociates.com/EcoDesign.html, green page
* Klippel, James H. https://web.archive.org/web/20090511014310/http://www.garrellassociates.com/EcoDesign.html, green page
* Reynolds, Mike. (2000). ''Comfort In Any Climate'', Taos: Solar Survival P. ISBN 0-9626767-4-8
* Howarth, D. & Nortje, A. (2010). "Groundhouse Build & Cook". ISBN 978-0-9566947-0-6
* Howarth, D. & Nortje, A. (2010). "Groundhouse Build & Cook". {{ISBN|978-0-9566947-0-6}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


==Further reading==
== Further reading ==
* Schirber, Michael. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21755230/ "Making Earthships Mainstream"] on ''Going Green at [[msnbc.com]]'', November 12, 2007.
* Schirber, Michael. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140604070915/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21755230/ "Making Earthships Mainstream"] on ''Going Green at [[msnbc.com]]'', November 12, 2007.
* Raets, W.J.L., [http://eebu.earthshipeurope.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=151:miniearthshipcalc&catid=49:public-downloads&Itemid=92 "Flagship Design Guides - General - Pre-Building and Design"], June 15, 2012


==External links==
== External links ==
{{commons category}}
{{commons category|Earthships}}
* {{official website|http://www.earthship.com/}}
* [http://www.earthshipeurope.org/ Earthship Europe]
* [http://www.earthshipbelgium.be/en.html Earthship Belgium]


* {{official website|http://www.earthship.com}}
[[Category:Sustainable architecture]]
* [http://www.lowcarbon.co.uk/earthship-brighton Earthship Brighton]
* [http://earthship-deutschland.de Earthship Germany]
* [http://www.earthship.dk/ Earthship Denmark]
{{Architecture in the United States}}
[[Category:Masonry]]
[[Category:Masonry]]
[[Category:Solar architecture]]
[[Category:Solar architecture]]
[[Category:Sustainable architecture]]
[[Category:Sustainable building]]
[[Category:Sustainable building]]
[[Category:Architecture related to utopias]]

Latest revision as of 11:53, 6 October 2024

For the worldview of humanity as the crew of a spacecraft, see Spaceship Earth.
South and East view of an Earthship passive solar home
Typical floorplan
Earthship Architecture, Taos, New Mexico

An Earthship is a style of architecture developed in the late 20th century to early 21st century by architect Michael Reynolds. Earthships are designed to behave as passive solar earth shelters made of both natural and upcycled materials such as earth-packed tires. Earthships may feature a variety of amenities and aesthetics, and are designed to withstand the extreme temperatures of a desert, managing to stay close to 70 °F (21 °C) regardless of outside weather conditions. Earthship communities were originally built in the desert of northern New Mexico, near the Rio Grande, and the style has spread to small pockets of communities around the globe, in some cases in spite of legal opposition to its construction and adoption.

Reynolds developed the Earthship design after moving to New Mexico and completing his degree in architecture, intending them to be "off-the-grid-ready" homes, with minimal reliance on public utilities and fossil fuels. They are constructed to use available natural resources, especially energy from the sun and rain water. They are designed with thermal mass construction and natural cross-ventilation to regulate indoor temperature, and the designs are intentionally uncomplicated and mainly single-story, so that people with little building knowledge can construct them. They can be perceived as a realization of the utopia of autonomous housing and sustainable living.[1]

Earthship windows, water barrels, and solar panels

History

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Michael Reynolds' first building, the "Thumb House", was built in the early 1970s. It included features incorporated into later Earthship designs.

Earthship architecture began development in the 1970s, when the architect Michael Reynolds set out to create a home that would fulfill three criteria. First, it would utilize sustainable architecture, and materials indigenous to the local area or recycled materials wherever possible. Second, it would rely on natural energy sources and be independent from the electrical grid. Third, it would be feasible for a person with no specialized construction skills to build. Eventually, Reynolds's vision was transformed into the common U-shaped earth-filled tire homes seen today.

The name is based on the idea of a ship or a space ship, in order to allude to the home's ability to provide everything for their inhabitants to survive: shelter, power, waste management, water, and food.

Earthship Welcome Center

Construction and design

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Building with cans in the 1970s

Earthships are constructed based on six design principles that help contribute to the goal of environmentally sustainable building design:

  1. Building with natural and repurposed materials: Earthships utilize materials such as used tires, cans, bottles, wood, and mud.
  2. Thermal or solar heating and cooling: Earthships heat and cool themselves using thermal mass and solar gain. They do not use electricity or the burning of fuel to maintain temperature.
  3. Electricity from solar and wind: Electricity is collected using photovoltaic panels and occasionally windmills. Additionally, the electrical requirements of the buildings are minimized through the use of energy efficient lighting and appliances.
  4. Water harvesting: Water is collected from rain and snowmelt in the roof and is then stored in a cistern for future use.
  5. Sewage treatment: Self-contained sewage treatment and water recycling.
  6. Food production: In-home organic food production capability.[2]

The buildings are often horseshoe-shaped due to the difficulty of creating sharp 90 degree angles with rammed tires. In Reynolds's prototype at Taos, the opening of the horseshoe faces 10–15 degrees east of south to maximize natural light and solar-gain during the winter months, with windows on sun-facing walls admitting light and heat.

The book, Earthship I, describes how to find the best angle depending on the building's geographic location. The thick and dense walls provide thermal mass that naturally regulates the interior temperature during both cold and hot outside temperatures. The outer walls in the majority of Earthships are made of earth-rammed tires, but any dense material with a potential to store heat, such as concrete, adobe, earth bags, or stone, could in principle be used to create a building similar to an Earthship. The tire walls are staggered like traditional brick work, and often have "concrete half blocks" every other course, to equal the length of the staggered tire below. In an effort to cut down the use of concrete even further, they also use "squishies" - tires rammed in between a tight space to even out the course or to compensate for varying tire size.

Most earthship structures are earth-sheltered buildings with a large series of windows and used tires

The rammed earth tires of an Earthship are assembled by teams of two people. One person shovels dirt and places it into the tire one scoop at a time. The other person, who stands on the tire, uses a sledgehammer to pack the dirt in while moving in a circle around the tire to keep the dirt even and to avoid warping the tire.[3] Rammed earth tires can weigh up to 300 lb (140 kg), so they are typically filled in place. Because the tire is full of soil, it does not burn when exposed to fire.[4] In colder climates, extra insulation is added on the outside of the tire walls.

Tires rammed with earth and stacked

On top of the tire walls are either "can and concrete bond beams" made of reused cans joined by concrete, or wooden bond beams with wooden shoes. These are attached to the tire walls using concrete anchors, poured blocks of concrete inside the top tires. Wooden shimming blocks placed on top of the wooden bond beam make up the wooden shoes. The wooden bond beam consists of two layers of lumber bolted on to the concrete anchors. Re-bar is used to "nail" the wooden shoes to the wooden bond beam.

Internal, non-load-bearing walls are often made of a honeycomb of reused cans joined by concrete; these are nicknamed tin can walls. These walls are usually thickly plastered with adobe, and resemble traditional adobe walls when finished.

The roof is made using trusses, or wooden support beams called vigas, that rest on the wooden shoes or the tin can walls placed on the bond beams. The roof as well as the north, east and west facing walls are heavily insulated to reduce heat loss.

The average cost in 2019 including labour and land is about $500,000.[citation needed]

Water

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The water system with integrated flush toilet, as used in most earthships
A scupper for collecting rainwater

Earthships are designed to catch all the water they need from the local environment. Water used in an Earthship is harvested from rain, snow, and condensation. Each inch of rain collected per square foot of water yields 2/3 gallons of water.[2] As water collects on the roof, it is channeled through a silt-catching device and into a cistern. The cisterns are positioned to gravity-feed a water organization module (WOM) that filters out bacteria and contaminants, making it suitable for drinking. The WOM consists of filters and a DC-pump. Water is then pushed into a conventional pressure tank to create common household water pressure.

Water collected in this fashion is used for every household activity except flushing toilets. The toilets are flushed with greywater which has been used at least once already. Typically it is filtered waste-water from sinks and showers.

An interior botanical cell; the plants function as water treatment for graywater

Greywater, recycled water unsuitable for drinking, is used within the Earthship primarily for flushing toilets. Before the greywater can be reused, it is channeled through a grease and particle filter/digester and into a 30–60 in (760–1,520 mm) deep rubber-lined botanical cell,[5] a miniature living machine, within the Earthship. Here the water is oxygenated and filtered using bacteria and plants to reduce the nutrient load.[6] Water from the low end of the botanical cell is directed through a peat moss filter and collected in a reservoir or well. The reclaimed water is passed once more through a greywater board and used to flush conventional toilets.

Black water is water that has been used in a toilet. Earthships utilize anaerobic digestion in their septic tanks, which naturally separate solid waste. The black water is used in concrete cells containing plants, separate from the grey water plants in the greenhouse; it may also be used in exterior planters. Studies on the safety of growing food plants in a black water system show low levels of E. coli bacteria.[citation needed] It is not recommended to plant edibles in black water; building permits may be refused for plans indicating such usage of black water.

Where it is not possible to use flush-toilets operating on water, dry solar toilets are recommended.

Power

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Solar panels on an Earthship

Earthships are designed to collect and store their own energy. The majority of electrical energy is harvested from the sun and wind. Photovoltaic panels and wind turbines on or near the Earthship generate DC electricity that is stored in deep-cycle batteries. The batteries are housed in a purpose-built room on the roof. Additional energy can be obtained from gasoline-powered generators or by integrating with the city grid. For Canadian winters the solar cell exposed surface areas needs to be increased by over three times.[citation needed]

In an Earthship, a Power Organizing Module (POM) takes a proportion of stored energy from batteries and invert it for AC use. The Power Organizing Module is a prefabricated system provided by Earthship Biotecture that is simply attached to a wall on the interior of the Earthship and wired in a conventional manner. It includes the necessary equipment such as circuit breakers and converters. The energy run through the Power Organizing Module can be used to run any household appliance including washing machines, computers, kitchen appliances, print machines, and vacuums. Ideally, none of the electrical energy in an Earthship is used for heating or cooling.[citation needed]

Thermal performance

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Solar water heater on an Earthship

Earthships rely on a balance between the solar heat gain and the ability of the tire walls and subsoil to transport and store heat. They are designed to use the properties of thermal mass and with the intent that the exterior earth-rammed tire walls provide thermal mass that will soak up heat during the day and radiate heat during the night, keeping the interior climate relatively comfortable all day. In addition to the exterior tire walls, some Earthships are sunk into the earth to take advantage of earth-sheltering to reduce temperature fluctuations.

Some earthship structures have suffered from heat loss into the ground during the heating season. This may be due to climatic differences between New Mexico where earthships were first built and cloudier, cooler, and wetter climates. Thermal performance problems may also have occurred due to thermal mass being erroneously equated to R-value. The imperial R-value of soil is about 1 per foot.[7] Malcolm Wells, an architect and authority on earth-sheltered design, recommends an imperial R-value 10 insulation between deep soils and heated spaces. Wells's insulation recommendations increase as the depth of the soil decreases (a negative correlation).

In addition to thermal mass, Earthships use passive solar heating and cooling. Large front windows with integrated shades, trombe walls and other technologies such as skylights or Steve Baer's "Track Rack" solar trackers are used for heat regulation. Earthships are positioned so that its principal wall, which is nonstructural and made mostly of glass sheets, faces directly toward the equator. This positioning allows for optimum solar exposure. To allow the sun to heat the mass of the Earthship, the solar-oriented wall is angled so that it is perpendicular to light from the winter sun. This allows for maximum exposure in the winter, when heat is wanted, and lesser exposure in the summer, when heat is to be avoided. Some Earthships, especially those built in colder climates, use insulated shading on the solar-orientated wall to reduce heat loss during the night.[6]

Current Earthship designs like the global module have a "double greenhouse" where the outside glass is angled toward the equator, and an internal glass wall forms a walk way or hallway as you step into the Earthship. This greenhouse is primarily used to grow food; it also creates a barrier for the 'comfort zone' inside the house.

Ventilation

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Natural convection cooling an Earthship

Earthships structures have a natural ventilation system based on convection. A 30 ft (9.1 m) pipe extends from the interior of the house under the berm, cooling the air by the time it gets to the comfort zone. As the hot air rises, the system creates a steady airflow - of cooler air coming in, and warmer air blowing out though a smaller vented window in the greenhouse.[citation needed]

Around the world

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Africa

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Earthship built by Angel and Yvonne Kamp in South Africa

Angel and Yvonne Kamp built the first Earthship in South Africa between 1996 and 1998. They rammed a total of 1,500 tires for the walls. The Earthship, near Hermanus, is located in a 60 hectares (0.23 sq mi) private nature reserve which is part of a 500 hectares (1.9 sq mi) area enclosed in a game fence and borders the Walker Bay Nature Reserve.[8]

The second earthship in South Africa is a recycling centre in Khayelitsha run as a swap shop. The centre was finished in December 2010.[9] Another low-cost house built with tires is in development in Bloemfontein.[10][11]

The Earthship inspired experiment in South Africa is combined living quarters and the Sonskip / Aardskip open-air museum in Orania.[12] This earthship is based on the global earthship model and is built with a foundation of tires, have roof bearing walls built with earthbags and interior walls built with cob, cans, and plastic bottles. This Earthship adheres to all six principles of an Earthship. This is the largest earthbag earthship in the world.[13]

A residential house was in the planning phase for Eswatini in 2013.[14]

In 2011, construction began on the Goderich Waldorf School of Sierra Leone. The school was the first educational institution to use earthship architecture. Although Mike Reynolds and a team of interns helped complete the first two classrooms, the majority of the building was built by community members who had been trained in Reynolds' building techniques.[15][16]

A new project was scheduled to commence in Malawi in October 2013. During that first visit, the team was able to complete two of the intended eight rooms.[17] Biotechure Planet Earth came back to collaborate on the Malawi project in 2015 in order to complete the community center for the rural village.[18] The crew was made up of a group of volunteers as well as locals all made up to create an 8-room building made out of tires, cans and bottles. Finally, in a web post uploaded in February 2020, it was confirmed that the community structure in Kapita, Malawi could be finished.[19]

Australia

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Earthship Ironbank was built by Martin and Zoe Freney south-east of Adelaide in South Australia and is the first earthship constructed with council permission in Australia.[20]

Europe

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Earthship Brighton, England

In 2000, Michael Reynolds and his team came to build the first residential earthship in Boingt (Belgium). While water, power module, solar panels and the team were on their way to Europe, the mayor of Boingt put his veto on the building permit. Josephine Overeem, the woman who wanted to build the earthship, and Michael Reynolds decided to do a demonstration model in her back yard at her residence in Strombeek (Belgium). CLEVEL[21] invited Reynolds from Belgium to Brighton in the UK, and orchestrated plans for the earthship in Brighton, started in 2003. This was the beginning of a series of trips made by Reynolds and the construction of earthships in the UK, France and the Netherlands.

In 2004, the very first Earthship in the UK was opened at Kinghorn Loch in Fife, Scotland. It was built by volunteers of the SCI charity. In 2005, the first earthship in England was established in Stanmer Park, Brighton with the Low Carbon Trust. In 2007, CLEVEL and Earthship Biotecture obtained planning permission to build on a development site overlooking the Brighton Marina in the UK. The application followed a six-month feasibility study, orchestrated by Daren Howarth, Kevan Trott and Michael Reynolds and funded by the UK Environment Agency and the Energy Savings Trust. The successful application was for sixteen one, two, and three-bedroom earthship homes on this site, expected to have a sale price of 250 - 400,000 pounds.[22] The homes are all designed according to basic earthship principles developed in the United States and adapted to the UK. 15,000 tires will be reused to construct these homes (the UK burns approximately 40 million tires each year). The plans include the enhancement of habitats on the site for lizards that already live there, which is the reasoning behind entitling the project "The Lizard". This would have been the first development of its kind in Europe.[23]

The first official Earthship home in mainland Europe with official planning permission approval was built in a small French village called Ger. The home, which was owned by Kevan and Gillian Trott, was built in April 2007 by Kevan, Mike Reynolds and an Earthship Crew from Taos, it was sold to a family in 2014. The design was modified for a European climate and is seen as the first of many for the European arena. It is currently used as a holiday home for eco-tourists.[24]

Further adaptation to the European context was undertaken by Daren Howarth and Adrianne Nortje in Brittany, France. They obtained full planning permission in 2007 and finished the Brittany Groundhouse as their own home during 2009. The build experience and learning is documented in the UK Grand Designs series and in their book.[25]

Earthships have been built or are being built in Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, The Netherlands,[26] United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Estonia and Czech Republic.

The first official earthship district (23 earthships) in Europe was developed in Olst (the Netherlands). Building started in Spring 2012[27] and completed in December, 2014.[28] In Belgium, 1 earthship hybrid is also being built, intended as demonstration buildings. Since it is illegal to use tires in Belgium (for risk of leaking toxic metals like lead and zinc),[29] the project uses earthbags instead.

The Earthships built in Europe by Michael Reynolds have to be adapted to perform as intended. Some showed problems with moisture and mould.[30] Some research into thermal performance was done by the University of Brighton on the Brighton Earthship.[31][32] The first successful construction of an Earthship in Germany (Tempelhof/Kreßberg, 2015/16) used fewer thermal bridges but increased insulation in cooperation with a Fraunhofer Institute to prevent any mould problems.[33]

Central America

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An earthship was constructed in 2015 by the Atkinson family in southern Belize. It featured on the June 2015 UK Channel 4 TV programme Escape to the Wild, season 1, episode 3.

Guatemala also hosts two earthships.[34]

South America

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The first Earthship in South America was built in January 2014 in the town of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Today this building functions as a visitor center and example of self-sustainable living.[35]

In March 2016, an Earthship school was built in Jaureguiberry, Uruguay.[36] In May 2018, another Earthship school was built in Mar Chiquita, Argentina.[37]

New Zealand

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An earthship has been built by Dawn and Lance Kirtlan near Ashburton, Canterbury. They were inspired by Mike Reynold's books and worked with a local architect and engineer, reporting that the local council were very supportive of the project.[38]

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The film Garbage Warrior is about Earthships and Reynolds' struggle with obtaining permits to build out of unconventional material and off the grid.

The television series Building Off the Grid, which aired on the DIY Network, featured a home construction episode about building an Earthship.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Booth, Colin A.; Rasheed, Sona; Mahamadu, Abdul-Majeed; Horry, Rosemary; Manu, Patrick; Awuah, Kwasi Gyau Baffour; Aboagye-Nimo, Emmanuel; Georgakis, Panagiotis (September 2021). "Insights into Public Perceptions of Earthship Buildings as Alternative Homes". Buildings. 11 (9): 377. doi:10.3390/buildings11090377. hdl:2436/625021. ISSN 2075-5309.
  2. ^ a b "Design Principles". Earthship Biotecture michael reynolds. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  3. ^ McHenry, Paul Graham. (1989) [1984]. Adobe and rammed earth buildings : design and construction. Tucson: University of Arizona Press. ISBN 0816511241. OCLC 19849881.
  4. ^ "An Earthship goes through the Hondo Fire!". earthship.org. Earthship Biotecture, LLC. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  5. ^ "The Earthship Academy experience". Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  6. ^ a b Reynolds, Mike (2000). Comfort In Any Climate. Taos, New Mexico: Solar Survival Press. ISBN 0-9626767-4-8.
  7. ^ "Energy Extension Service: BUILDING ENVELOPE: Basement". ksu.edu. KSU Engineering Extension. Archived from the original on 27 October 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  8. ^ "First Earthship in South Africa". earthship.com. 16 October 2020.
  9. ^ E, Michael (November 11, 2010). "khayelitsha earthship: help set sail for a new housing destination". UrbanSprout. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  10. ^ Everson, Ludwig (December 22, 2012). "Aardskip.com supports Qala Tala to create earthship RDP housing". aardskip.blogspot.com. aardskip.com. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  11. ^ "Qala Tala Project". Growing Tomorrow (AgriTV). The Weekly. January 18, 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  12. ^ "Where in the world is Experiment Aardskip?". aardskip.com. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  13. ^ "Top Travel in Orania".
  14. ^ Harding, Stewart. "Archive for the 'Swaziland Project' Category". earthships.co.za. Archived from the original on 10 October 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  15. ^ Elliot, Sam (March 21, 2012). "Ten Days in Africa". earthship.com. Earthship Biotecture. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  16. ^ Hughes, Amanda. "University of Cincinnati alum builds homes with recycled materials". UC Magazine (May 2009). Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  17. ^ Nardone, Jeane (April 5, 2013). "Earthship Malawi, Africa – Join Us!". earthship.com. Earthship Biotecture. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  18. ^ "Past project – Malawi Earthship Community Center". biotectureplanetearth.org. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  19. ^ "Kapita, Malawi Earthship". Earthship Biotecture. 8 February 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  20. ^ Freney, Martin. "From earth, cans and tyres: Earthship Ironbark - Renew". Renew. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  21. ^ "Carbon Offsets - Carbon Offsetting - Carbon Neutrality - CLevel". C LEVEL. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  22. ^ "Docking into mother earthship". Eco Home News. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  23. ^ Earthship Homes development (archived from the original on 2007-12-13).
  24. ^ Kevin Telfer, Super green European breaks (26 April 2008 ), The Guardian.
  25. ^ "Groundhouse - Earthship in Brittany". Groundhouse. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  26. ^ Annette Toonen. "Duurzaam theedrinken in aardehuis," in NRC Handelsblad, 20 November 2008; In 2008 an Earthship teahouse was built in Zwolle, initiated by Theo Lalleman and the OWAZE Foundation.
  27. ^ "The project". aardehuis.nl. 2012-06-18. Archived from the original on 2013-04-10.
  28. ^ Gorter, Karin de. "Vereniging Aardehuis Oost-Nederland - Last hulls Earth houses completed!". www.aardehuis.nl. Archived from the original on 2018-10-29. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  29. ^ EOS magazine, March 2012
  30. ^ Article - Performance
  31. ^ Source: Thermal behaviour of an earth sheltered autonomous building – the Brighton Earthship, Dr. Kenneth Ip and Prof. Andrew Miller, Centre for Sustainability of the Built Environment - University of Brighton - United Kingdom
  32. ^ Hewitt, M. and Telfer, K. (2007). Earthships: building a zero carbon future for homes. ISBN 978-1-86081-972-8
  33. ^ TV report by 3sat, 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2t7bTX3KMQ
  34. ^ "Earthship - Guatemala". Earthship Biotecture. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  35. ^ "Finalizó la construcción de la Nave Tierra" [Construction of the Earthship completed] (in Spanish). El Diario del Fin del Mundo.
  36. ^ López, Carlos Cipriani (16 March 2016). "Escuela de llantas y botellas: Se presenta en Jaureguiberry la primera escuela pública sustentable de Latinoamérica" [A school of tires and bottles: The first sustainable public school in Latin America is built in Jaureguiberry] (in Spanish). EL PAIS.
  37. ^ "Una Escuela Sustentable, Mar Chiquita: un año de vida y grandes resultados" [A sustainable school: one year of life and great results] (in Spanish).
  38. ^ "'We love it!' Couple over the moon with Earthship home". Otago Daily Times Online News. 2022-05-15. Retrieved 2022-05-18.

References

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Further reading

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