Michael Reynolds famously developed the style of architecture called “Earthship” in the late 20th century and early 21st century.
Made of both natural and upcycled materials such as tyres, Earthships are designed to behave as passive solar earth shelters with windows, walls, and floors made to collect, store, reflect and distribute solar energy. They are off-the-grid homes with minimal reliance on public utilities and fossil fuels.
The construction materials used in the Earthships vary according to what particular recycled items are plentiful in the given area.
The New Mexico builds (pictured left) tend to use earth-filled tyres stacked like bricks; they employ “thermal mass construction” to naturally regulate temperatures indoors. Wintertime heating is provided primarily by the Earthship’s layout and orientation, with windows on the sunny sides of the building letting in light and heat.
I really like the way Michael Reynolds uses the locally available resources and his use of recycled materials. I share his desire to also minimise reliance on public utilities and fossil fuels; these will be a key considerations while I am designing.
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