14 May Sustainable Homes on the Desert Mesa of New Mexico

Sustainable Homes on the Desert Mesa of New Mexico

Sustainable homes on the desert mesa of New Mexico takes a peek at an alternative way of living.  In the desert of New Mexico, a group of homes jut out from the landscape, resembling something from a science fiction novel.  These unusual but interesting constructions referred to as “Earthships” are passive solar houses, and are the brainchild of architect Mike Reynolds. Devised originally in the 1970s, they are designed to be almost completely self-sufficient not relying on the use of any electrical grid, water lines, or municipal sewage system.  Instead, these home collect rainwater, and use the plants in the indoor greenhouse to filter the greywater and even processes their own sewage.  Made of sand, adobe, earth and recycled trash, they’re an incredible example of how to repurpose locally sourced, and reclaimable waste materials like rubber tires cans, and bottles.

“Reynolds calls this practice “Earthship Biotecture”. He cites as an epiphany the moment he realized that any object could be utilized—an old tire could become a powerful and durable thermal mass when it was filled with soil, or a pop bottle could be used for insulation. He has written five books on the subject.”

Earthship Homes | Michael Reynolds – Arch2O.com

The three step solution ‘reduce – reuse – recycle’ has been rhetorically exploited by anyone and everyone, who’s genuinely concerned or even vaguely aware about the global issue of environmental degradation. Down the line, waste management becomes critical.

Bring Me

These Sustainable Homes Are Made From Trash, But They’re Absolutely Stunning

Earthship Underground House Tour- Sustainable and Net Zero Living…

“Towards Sustainable and Net Zero Living” Derek “Deek” Diedricksen visits an Earthship (the architectural brainchild of Michael Reynolds) in Taos, New Mexico. The particular model, like many others, features earth berm air intakes, a water recycling system for its grey water, and the luxury of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and even a two car garage!

Feature photo by earthshipglobal.com

Read my article, 6 Criteria Upon Which To Measure Your Green Home