Earthship - 1214 Words

Max Altschuler ENVD 3115 Professor Marcel S. de Lange December 8, 2013 Earthship Design, Materials, and Sustainability Earthship design is a movement initiated by Michael Reynolds. Earthship Biotecture is a method of architecture and design that incorporates recycled materials, earthen materials, and renewable energy sources into a sustainable and self-sufficient home. The purpose of this according to Michael Reynolds it to achieve energy independence, sustainable housing, and relieve the burdens of stress on the environment from conventional building methods while keeping cost minimal. Utilizing waste and earthen materials, Michael was able to construct comfortable living, beautiful architectural design, and self-sufficiency†¦show more content†¦Adobe is a commonly used material in earthship construction and has its earliest recognized use in 8300 B.C. Although labor-intensive adobe serves as a sustainable and abundant material that can often be produced onsite. Adobe is typically composed of clay, sand, silt, and gravel, and various amendments such as straw and grasses. Proper distri bution and ratios of the materials are essential in creating adobe blocks that are strong and do not shrink or crack; therefore the soil used should be screened and tested before production. An important element to adobe construction is the bond beam that connects the roof to the walls and prevents collapse of the adobe blocks. Problems with adobe construction lie within the perceived notion that it is unrealizable and primitive, therefore many builders encounter problems in obtaining building permits. Cob is one of the oldest earthen building materials that requires little framework and is less labor intensive then adobe. Cod consist of clay, sand, straw, and water. Cob wall construction is usually 24 inches wide and is laid in sections up to 18 inches high at a time. 18 inch foundations and long eves for roofing is important to keeping cob-constructed walls intact and secure from water damage. To create strong walls a 5% taper should be included in planning, this equates to 6 inches for everyShow MoreRelatedEarthships: a New Way for Change Essay931 Words   |  4 Pageswe face and has continually managed to create alternative styles of living to better the situations at hand. What is an Earthship you might ask? Well if asked by the creator himself he would define it as, â€Å"Independent vessels to sail on the seas of tomorrow.† (Rose, 2004) That may seem quite crazy to most but Reynolds is thinking out of the box and ahead of this time. An Earthship is a self sufficient home in that it requires the use of no utilities. Heated by the sun and using solar and wind powerRead MoreLiving Off The Grid : A Simple Guide1478 Words   |  6 Pagesgrid home falls near the top of that list. In â€Å"Earthships† volume 1 (Introduction page 2) Michael Reynolds states, â€Å"We need to evolve self-sufficient living units that are their own systems. These units must energize themselves, heat and cool themselves, grow food and deal with their own was te. The current concept of housing, in general, supported by massive centralized systems, is no longer appropriate, safe, or reliable. We are now in need of earthships- independant vessels, to sail on the seas ofRead MoreSociety s Reliance On Renewable Energy1526 Words   |  7 Pagescome true. In the American southwest this is happening already. The Taos area of New Mexico is home to the ‘earthship’ concept, designed by Michael Reynolds of Solar Survival Architecture. â€Å"Earthship houses combine elements of traditional adobe design with walls built from discarded vehicle tyres, cans and earth—re-using society’s garbage is an important part of the concept.† (Bond). Earthships collect and recycle their own water and waste and generate electricity from PV cells. Energy is usable powerRead MoreWe Must Look At The Triple Bottom Line Approach1944 Words   |  8 Pagesthe internal factors, but also how they interact with the external world. A standout example of effective sustainable homes is that of Earthship homes. An Earthship is a passive solar home that is made of both natural and recycled materials (such as earth-filled tyres), and is built to utilize the available local resources, especially energy from the sun (Earthship Biotechture 2014). For example, windows on sun-facing walls admit lighting and heating, and the buildings are often horseshoe-shapedRead More Holistic Design Essays3170 Words   |  13 PagesPress. McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry Home Page. http://www.mbdc.com/profile_clients.htm November 3, 2003. Mollison, Bill (1988). Permaculture: A Designers Manual. Tyalgum, Australia: Tagari Publications. Reynolds, Michael (1990). Earthship, Vol. 1. Taos, New Mexico: Solar Survival Press.