Earthships were born out of the revolutionary mind of Michael Reynolds during the 1970’s. Recently an architecture graduate, Michael began experimenting to find solutions to questions that haunt our society, possibly more so today than anytime before – waste management and affordable housing. Early conceptions surrounded making a ‘brick’ out of aluminum cans. This idea grew into the of concept of what Earthship construction includes today. Earthships are a sustainable building method in current use and application in many countries throughout the world. Scale can be modest, common or large with each home built in the manner of a self-functioning and regulating system.

1. Earthships and
Sustainability
Aaron Flammang
UNM-CRP275 Community Change in a Global Era
Photo: Kirsten Jacobsen - Earthship Biotecture
Photo Sarah Richter - Flickr

2. History
Earthships were born out of the revolutionary
mind of Michael Reynolds during the 1970’s.
Recently an architecture graduate, Michael
began experimenting to find solutions to
questions that haunt our society, possibly more
so today than anytime before – waste
management and affordable housing. Early
conceptions surrounded making a ‘brick’ out of
aluminum cans.This idea grew into the of
concept of what Earthship construction includes
today. Earthships are a sustainable building
method in current use and application in many
countries throughout the world. Scale can be
modest, common or large with each home built
in the manner of a self-functioning and
regulating system.
Photo: Earthship Global

3. Solar
Photo: Aaron Flammang
Passive Solar
Energy captured from the sun and converted into electric
energy.
Energy is stored in batteries for continued use – most
common include 6V, 12V and 24V.
Concept involves absorption of solar energy for use
in heating spaces.
The transfer of heat takes place through windows.
South facing is a key characteristic.

4. Water Catchment
Intentional roof design to maximize runoff and
collection.
Cisterns hold collected water for later use.
Begins the cycle of maximizing scarce resources
–water can feed plant and vegetation.
Photo: Build It Solar

5. Natural and Recycled/Upcycled
Materials
Photo: Ingrid Pfau – Britannica
Locally sourced materials and items that
reach the end-of-life cycle.
Reduces environmental impact of
consumption.
Minor manipulation can create effective
construction materials.
Significantly more cost efficient.
Unique structures and characteristics.

6. Photo: Brice Hall – Earthship Biotecture
Visual Cross-Sections of Elements
Photo: David Smith - Biomimicry and Sustainability

7. Tim Parker

8. Earthship Exteriors
Photo: Eddie Moore -Albuquerque Journal
Photo: IrinaK - Britannica
Photo: Biodiesel33 -Wikimedia

9. Earthship Interiors
Photo: Earthship Biotecture
Photo: New Mexico Mountain Properties

10. Additional Resources
Michael Reynolds Socials -
Instagram @thegarbagewarrior
Earthship Global -
https://www.earthshipglobal.com/
Earthship Biotecture -
https://earthshipbiotecture.com/
Twitter @earthship_HQ
LongWay Home -
https://www.lwhome.org/
Photo: Open ArchitectureCollaborative

11. Small-Scale Applications
Water Catchment
Gutters
Rain Barrels
Solar and Passive Solar
Lights
Chargers
Generators
South Facing Greenhouse
Natural and Recycled/Upcycled Materials
RecycleCreatively
Refinishing or Repurposing
Photo: StruckCorp

12. Challenges
Greater acceptance as a successful building
practice compared to modern methods.
Building codes and regulation – first world
versus second and third world.
Development patterns – subverts urban and
suburban planning and design.
Photo: Build Abroad

13. Future
Photo: Earthship Biotecture
Continued evolution.
Localized applications.
Interpretation of ‘The New Suburbia’?

14. Conclusion
Photo: Earthship Biotecture
Earthships are an incredible means of exploring
alternative methods to construct our built
environment and influence our interaction with
the spaces around us.
Illustrates successful options to long-standing
norms.
Shifts have occurred, what may have been
considered fringe and gaining wider appeal.

15. Experiences and Processes

16. References
Earthship Global - https://www.earthshipglobal.com/
Earthship Biotecture - https://earthshipbiotecture.com/
Build It Solar -
https://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SolarHomes/Earthship/Visit/WaterSystem.
htm#:~:text=Amazingly%2C%20Earthships%20in%20Taos%2C%20which,water
%20conservation%2C%20and%20water%20reuse
AtlasObscura - https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/radically-ecological-
earthships-from-around-the-world
Britannica - https://www.britannica.com/topic/Earthship
Living Big in aTiny House - https://www.livingbiginatinyhouse.com/tiny-house-
tours/small-off-grid-earthship-home/
Biomimicry and Sustainability -
https://bioluminescence.typepad.com/biomimicry-and-sustainabi/2011/09/earth-
ship.html
New Mexico Mountain Properties -
https://www.highmountainproperty.com/earthships/
StruckCorp - https://struckcorp.com/diy-rainwater-harvesting-systems/
Open ArchitectureCollaborative - http://openarchcollab.org/boston/ ps
Build Abroad - https://buildabroad.org/2016/12/19/tire-homes/