An Earthship is defined
by the following six principles:
- Thermal/Solar Heating & Cooling
- Solar & Wind Electricity
- Contained Sewage Treatment
- Building with Natural & Recycled Materials
- Water Harvesting
- Food Production
Earthship Design Principles
Comfort in Any Climate
The concept of thermal mass buildings works both to cool and to heat a home. Earthships keep you comfortable in any climate, anywhere in the world.
Earthship Biotecture design principle: ‘Thermal/Solar Heating & Cooling’ details how Earthships maintain comfortable
temperatures in any climate.
Earthship Book: ‘Comfort in Any Climate’ 30 pages. Covers how an Earthship stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Details the solar / thermal dynamics of the ‘heating and cooling systems’ of an Earthship.
Earthship Solar Thermal Dynamics
The ‘engine’ of the Earthship:
All aspects of the Earthship concept, the catch water and waste water treatment systems and the solar/wind power systems, are tuned to your climate and your local codes as well.
All systems are in addition to and do not replace conventional systems, where available.
Earthship Book: ‘Water from the Sky’
Takes its readers from problem to solution. It addresses the water shortage in New Mexico, the United States, and around the world. Step by step, the book outlines how to solve the problem of water shortage through catching, storing, using, reusing and treating water.
What is your plan? Do you have one?
There are a lot of options…
Do you want to have a private residence?
Do you want to have a demo workshop as part of a larger building for some other use?
You can also apply the 6 principles of Earthship Biotecture to an existing building. This is called retrofitting.
Another option is to send your local builders to an Earthship workshops in the USA or around the world.
Earthship Systems Plan
Earthship Demonstration workshops
Retrofitting with Earthship Biotecture
Earthship Seminars in Taos, NM, USA
Earthship Biotecture is a concept – not limited to tires – it is a building that will take care of you by encountering and interacting with the biology and physics of the earth.
‘BALLPARK’ COSTS OF AN EARTHSHIP HOME ARE AS FOLLOWS…
40% LABOR
40% MATERIALS
20% SYSTEMS AND SUBCONTRACTORS
Earthship Modular Overview
BASE THE ABOVE ON ABOUT $200 PER SF
These prices reflect the fact that you are building your utility systems as well as your shelter. Conventional housing provides only shelter and you pay monthly for your utilities.
LABOR PERCENTAGES OF THE COST FACTOR CHANGE IF YOU BUILD IT YOURSELF.
YOU WILL FIND THESE COSTS TO BE SIMILAR TO CONVENTIONAL CONSTRUCTION – BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS THESE EARTHSHIP HOMES HAVE LITTLE OR NO UTILITY BILLS SO THE OVERALL MONTHLY LIVING EXPENSE (mortgage payment plus utility bills) IS LESS IN AN EARTHSHIP – NOT TO MENTION THE SECURITY OF HAVING YOUR OWN UTILITIES.
This is not a rigid thing – it is a concept that we help you apply to your specific situation. SECURITY, COMFORT AND “MINIMAL-TO-NO” MONTHLY UTILITY BILLS AS WELL AS USE IN ALL CLIMATES IS POSSIBLE WITH THIS CONCEPT.
Earthship Global Model plan
If you are ready to begin the Earthship Experience, following are starting points that can help you decide what you want to do and how to prepare and actually begin your project.
