99 reasons why earthships are fuc!*ing awesome: Part #9 Reasons 81-90
Earthship Biotecture has to be one of the least understood sustainable building and living models around. This is not least because they offer SO many benefits that it is hard to even know them all, let alone explain them all! Let it be said that an Earthship can stay at a comfortable climate at even -20 Celsius or 40 Celsius with no power requirements for heating or cooling systems. The systems of an earthship encounter the forces of nature, mainly the sun, rain, and wind, and funnels them into your home to provide everything you need to live comfortably with annual utility bills of around $200 or less.
I have been inspired to write this in sections, with you all, and once it is completed I will be compiling it into a single digital and paperback book available to all to learn and be inspired.
81. Earthships can house and protect animals...with no heating system even in extreme climates
It is very easy to make a small shelter for smaller animals, and also bigger shelters for the larger animals. The thermal mass of the tyre wall will ensure that they stay much warmer than they would in a metal shed
82.Can use any kind of renewable energy source including solar, wind, and even water heating from compost!
Whilst solar is one of the best options for decentralised renewable energy, there are so many options these days, and many of them are very cheap. You can even use compost to heat up water in pipes that run through it. A proper compost heap can get very hot!
83. You don't need an architect to build one.
The skill-set of an architect is not well suited to the Biotecture. The approach is totally different, and based more on aesthetics than performance. An Architect has no idea about what makes Earthships work, and the considerations that relate to design and function. What you need is a Biotecture expert to assist you with any design plans, or you can do it yourself with global model plans if your climate is not too extreme. This puts you in control and not reliant on an expensive and restrictive mindset.
84. Earthships can be built on raised ground in coastal and flood prone areas.
85. Grow fruit and vegetables with almost no soil.
You don't need tonnes of good soil to start off a botanical cell, all you need is rocks and a tiny bit of topsoil. The nutrients come from the grey water which run through the planters much like a hydroponic system. You can of course add some compost from your own waste to further improve it.
86. Can be built without wood timber or concrete if desired.
Aside from the car tires, you can substitute almost any material to build the window framing, roof, partition walls etc.. Some options include the use of limestone, cob, glass bottles, metal cans, plastic bottles, and metal framing. Wood is one of the least desirable material to use in terms of maintenance and potential problems with rot, termites etc..
87. Biotecture is based on the tenants of Permaculture.
Permaculture is a system of thought that is usually applied to gardening and food production. It's thinking is much like that of Biotecture in many ways, and works with synergy, reuse of by products, re-cycling, and an overall harmonious relationship with the environment around it. If is fair to say that you can look at an Earthship as a Permaculture home!
88. Earthships will pass any future efficiency requirements for a long time to come
Planning permits are becoming more focused on performance, and older building may have to be improved in some countries. Any new build will also have to meet new requirements. Since Earthships are pretty much off the scale in terms of any performance or green credentials, you wont have to do any work in the future to keep up with the code.
89. Can be built using simple tools and without costly machines such as diggers, and mixers.
You could build an Earthship with no more than sledge hammers, buckets, and a few cordless power tools. Whilst diggers and mixers do speed things up, they are not necessary. Biotecture is low tech an relatively simple to build. You do not need to excavate large holes, and you can measure the amount of cement you use in sacks rather than trucks.
90. Earthships are easily built by people with other kinds of building experience.
Most of the actual building work involves the same skills and understanding that a traditional build may employ. Mud plastering is not that different to cement plastering except for some small details and making a tyre wall that rises up straight is very easy for a bricklayer. A carpenter or metal worker will know just what to do if they have the design plans to refer to. Roofing is also a relatively simple process, with a straight flat and sloped design being the most common in Earthships.
Oh my, only ONE more to go! I might have to take my hat off myself!
MUST WATCH VIDEOS
Earthship Underground House Tour- 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! Ashley Turin gives us a full out tour of this, one of the newest Earthship builds on the Taos compound. This sustainable and passive solar home just may give you a few ideas for your own future designs.
WATCH THIS TO SEE AND UNDERSTAND THE GLOBAL MODEL IN ACTION
WITH GREAT EXPLANATIONS
MEET A COUPLE WHO ARE NOW LIVING FREE. THIS VIDEO SAYS IT ALL!
BE INSPIRED AND SEE THE TRUTH OF WHAT FREEDOM LOOKS LIKE!
Super Efficient Off-Grid Earthship Built for Early Retirement Plan
PREVIOUS PARTS
Final Earthship Seminar Transcription Table Of Contents: + Incredible Earthship Video To Truly Educate and Inspire.
Living off-grid in an Earthship home is about many things. It is not just an ethical choice or a building type choice, it is also a lifestyle choice. When you start to live off-grid, and self-sufficiently, you embark on a break out from the matrix/zeitgeist. You start to unplug yourself from the normal, dependent, vulnerable, and highly controlled way of life that many people are used to in cities and highly developed countries. When you are truly self-sufficient and out of debt you take away some of the main sources of stress: buying food, paying the bills, covering the mortgage or rent, and needing to work full-time to allow this to continue. We can also look at environmental issues and great need to build smarter and in a more connected way, especially in the face of climate change. Our global population is rising and with it the poverty level and inequality of wealth in all forms. To compound this issue, the cost of living is also hurtling up! We are moving toward a very unsafe and unsustainable future if we continue to build and live in the same way that we have been doing.
Did you know, I built four Earthships in India as well as being instrumental the creation of the first Earthship in the UK, Earthship Brighton. If you are also on this path and would like to read my story, I have recently published a book. It is not only a great story, but a valuable resource for you to learn from. I had no experience or training when I embarked on my mission, but managed to successfully build a gorgeous home called Earthship Karuna.
You can buy this book with Steem on the homesteaders co-op. Whilst you are there please do have a look at some of the other products as there are all kinds of great things there!
https://homesteaderscoop.com/product/earthship-chronicles-ebook/
If you don't have any Steem you can also buy the ebook and paperback on amazon.
http://mybook.to/Earthship-Chronicles
or
https://www.amazon.com/Earthship-Chronicles-sufficient-luxurious-experience-ebook/dp/B07MYCBXYB
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I'm telling you what..you are blowing my mind with this. I know we talked a bit before and I told you I would love to build like this....I am really getting sold haha.
thats what I like to hear!! this whole thing is to try to show people why they should loook no further if they are considering building ;=)
last one coming up today.. cant believe i think im gonna make it to 99 .. was a challenge ;!
Where are you and your amazing earthship? Are you still looking for people to get onboard?
im in India now. .. been here for 13 years! I am trying to spread this, teach, build.. an ultimately make a good off grid community based on the gift economy. I am saving up for land and trying to generate funds in as many ways as i can! This post is part of a book i am writing and then if its successful it can help to buy land.. The idea is to let people come and help them build as a community for Very little money.. no land cost and full support from me and my tribes..
Ah that's such an awesome idea...! I would love to pick your brain about any kind of model you've created for the community... governance, and so on. We share a similar vision, we have the land, It's paid for, no one has to worry about that part, now come and build yourself a natural building! But people in the US have a hard time with the concept of building where they don't own the land!
I thought it would be a great burden to get rid of!
Anyway thanks for these posts 😁
I've just started thinking about how to build my next home and this is very intriguing! Reusing waste products is on the top of my list of requirements. so I appreciate what you are doing with this series very much. I've read a couple of the preceding chapters and I have one question for now: If we don't need an architect, what type of professional is able to get the building permit?
good luck with this! actually anyone can get permits.. if you are doing something different or self building then the regulators will visit your build as you go and approve it step by step.. They could stop you in your tracks if you mess up or they are not happy with something.. but generally if you do have a good plan, that has been done elsewhere before, and you can communicate well and work with them its usually fine. A lot does come down to whether they really care or support the idea, some places are easier than others!
There is quite a lot written about it in my Earthship Biotecture Transcribed Series.. You can look for the ones that mention planning, there is some good advice in there!
https://steemit.com/ecotrain/@eco-alex/final-earthship-seminar-transcription-table-of-contents-incredible-earthship-video-to-truly-educate-and-inspire
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