The Refuge

This is the first official Refuge, finished (March 2024). The Refuge Model is the economy model, the lowest cost, simplest, and easy to build Earthship. This one is a 1,600 square foot single family home, with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (with showers)
Michael Reynolds explains the systems of the home, relative to the six main design features of the Earthship (The Six Points)
Garbage Disposal
Comfortable Shelter
Electricity
Water harvesting
Sewage Treatment
Food Production
--------------------------------
Want to hire Earthship Biotecture to build your Earthship?
We travel the 50 states, building off-grid autonomous housing.
earthship.com/build
email: [e-mail]
--------------------------------
Want to build your own Earthship?
Learn to build with our academy! For information about our academy, online and in person:
earthship.com/learn
email: [e-mail]
--------------------------------
Visit Earthship Biotecture!
The Earthship Visitor Center is located at #2 Earthship Way, Taos, New Mexico. We offer self-guided, guided, and private tours of Earthships. For booking, and general information:
earthship.com/visit
email: [e-mail]
--------------------------------
Stay in an Earthship!
We offer Nightly Rentals here in our community! Come experience living in an Earthship!
earthship.com/stay
email: [e-mail]

[@byou1987]

a living legend on the screen right now

[@IIIMPULSIVEEE]

I was thinking the same thing watching this

[@denisewashlow4205]

I totally agree with this statement too. Amazing mind and dedication.

[@user-sk3zi6mr2w]

If you mess up as many times as Mickeal did, you have to get it right eventually. He s no genius. He s a persistent, stuborn architect.

[@rumichacajoy]

Thrilled to see you still at it, Michael; developing ever simpler systems. The REFUGE is beautiful!

[@dabzprincess92]

ISN'T IT FANTASTIC HE'S STILL GOING AND SO AHEAD OF HIS TIME, TIMES ARE JUST NOW CATCHING ON DUE TO UNAFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ENERGY WASTE. I WISH I COULD DO ONE I'VE WANTED THIS DREAM FOR 40 YEARS NOW AND STILL PRAYING GOD ALLOWS THIS FOR ME BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

[@pawshands9706]

Keep at it mate. You can make it happen 😊​@@dabzprincess92

[@renaissancemaneric8019]

I see the design hasn't changed in the last decade. This tells me things got perfected early on. Respect to Michael Reynolds and what he went through to get here.

[@angelagreen778]

Yes, I remember seeing this 15+ years ago. Brilliant!

[@mellowyellowmom7631]

Brilliant!!!! We could all live better if we lived this way!!!

[@brianmanden]

Ok .. earthships makes so much sense !!

[@user-sk3zi6mr2w]

In a desert, yes, they do.

[@barrybegley5379]

IMAGINE if All residential buildings were made with this "common sense" type of construction wisdom. What a world it would be. Great to see you looking so well Michael. Greetings from Ontario, Canada.

[@user-sk3zi6mr2w]

Comment sense can be very wrong. Solstice, intuition is wrong. You need math to make it right. The best architect is still a very dumb engineer....

[@IIIMPULSIVEEE]

I remember discovering Earthships and Michael when I was in high school over 12-14 years ago. I absolutely love this biotecture and spent one evening at the Phoenix earthship about 5 years ago and all those years of learning and wanting to experience it first hand did not disappoint. I am 30 now and live in Chicago, but not a day goes by where I am not daydreaming about building myself an earthship out here in Illinois one day, and eventually want build something like this in Colombia one day too. Thank you Michael for continuously bringing this knowledge to the world.

[@innershifttv]

I love how the design of the Earthship has been refined over the years! Some people have watched cult films such a Rocky Horror Picture Show a gazillion times. I have watched Garbage Warrior! It never gets old. With deep appreciation for what the Earthship Biotecture community create!

[@sylviewalker7560]

This man knows that the earth's dirt is a 'cool' 55F° year round. So do millions of humans all over the planet.

[@barbarateresarhiannonsreal1756]

You Guys!!! You can rent an Earthship. Earthship Nightly Rentals at their headquarters, in Taos, New Mexico, USA. We rented The Picuris for a night & I actually cried when we left! It was so beautiful & comfortable. I loved it. 🎉🎉🎉 Michael is a legend in his own time (as someone posted here already). It's True.

[@akhiluanand]

Wow! This Earthship is incredible! Michael Reynolds' innovative design and sustainable approach are truly inspiring. The self-sufficiency and eco-friendliness of this home are something we should all strive for. Thanks for the insightful walkthrough! 🌍🏡✨

[@user-sk3zi6mr2w]

Selfsuffiselfsufficiency is an exagération. This Earthship is résilient at best.

[@robin2338]

Another fantastic Earthship! Good seeing you Mike, Much Love!

[@balsamforester959]

Beautiful home, genius design. I was born in Albuquerque NM but i didn't grow up there unfortunately. I would love to come back to my home land and see these amazing houses. You're doing such great work Michael you deserve a noble prize. May you live to be a hundred and ten so you can continue this much needed work. Thank you.

[@Firedog-ny3cq]

A Nobel Prize would be cool, too.

[@ArtsFantasy]

A dryer in a sustainable house: that shows 2 things. How power efficient is the house AND how Americans can't live without a dryer. I guess a British version of an Earthship would have a kettle and a beer tap. Greetings from Adelaide Michael. Glad to see you still kicking and doing the good work. You haven't aged a bit!

[@williamd1891]

Dryers destroy clothes at an accelerated rate requiring you to buy more clothes more often. Hang drying is superior in every way and clothes last much longer.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Hanging wet clothes in a desert would mean dust encrusted dry clothes n towels I hang 1/3 of laundry for various reasons but rly love dryer for linens n towels n and jeans ESP in winter, not to mention rain UGH Y’all have rly mild winters n no rain I guess

[@allonesame6467]

Where I live, paying for a dryer is like paying for gravity!

[@user-sj2hi5fn4m]

A dryer in a desert. IKR?

[@allonesame6467]

@@user-sj2hi5fn4m Paying for a dryer is like paying for gravity. LOL

[@Methadone4Life]

What a real hero is all about! Sad our leaders are not made of the same stuff or our problems would be much more miniscule.

[@kallasusort2986]

Earthship's are my favorite type of dwelling! And I did go visit the Earthship in Taos set up at the visitor center. Loved it! Loved Taos. It is through your heroic work Michael that these wonderful homes exist in the world. Thank you

[@caroczel]

TY Mike Reynolds for all you've done 🙏💫💖

[@Ongi59]

Model T of Earthships,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,well said....another Reynold's Dome !

[@bigskyearthship]

Eleven years later! Eship rocks! Thanks Mike. You look great. every other house built is a POS. True statement

[@gregstandish6439]

Hahahaha, I say the same thing. I don't care if the house is 5 mill or more, if it isn't an Earthship, it's a royal POS! Such an awesome concept no matter where you live!

[@maureenbowerman5300]

Brilliant+ Making a green, sustainable and temperate climate. The water system is amazing! Thank you for posting

[@deeprose8598]

Luv luv luv you Michael!

[@Edwin-pj7pt]

GREAT WORK OF ART MICHAEL.

[@Chrisicola]

About the only time being a refugee is a good thing staying in one of these beauties.

[@wb8517]

Beautiful. Perfect. I would love to live in one of these. Respect! Glad to see you're still at it.

[@gregstandish6439]

I can't wait to visit the earthship community in Taos NM and hopefully meet Mike Reynolds and buy him all the margaritas he wants. Such an amazing concept from an underappreciated Genius! I always get so frustrated that I never thought of all this but appreciate the hard work and efforts that this guy made into reality. I'm sure he has dealt with so much pushback and naysayers saying that this will never work. I applaud this guy every time I see a new video by him. Absolutely Amazing. Mike Reynolds, you are beyond Awesome status!

[@traviss589]

Great work Michael! You are looking great! The audio is perfect...thanks for the improvement. Next step is a 360 video camera that will allow for smoother video.

[@cindyjones233]

He is a walking, talking miracle and genius. God only made one Michael Reynolds. I pray that Jesus will bless him always and keep him healthy, happy and prosperous!!! AMEN!! He is THE BEST of THE BEST!!

[@coachcal4876]

Have enjoyed your journey and growth. Thank you for allowing us to follow you along the way.

[@RaraAvis1138]

So beautiful!! Such a dream of mine. The only thing I'd change is the location - I'd have to have my dream home where I could not hear other humans (the road). I wish so much I had grown up under different, less traumatic circumstances so I could have made clear headed decisions to be around this type of culture instead of constantly being in fight or flight mode. Oh well, next life!🕉️ Jeez, to have those windows and a year round round garden in my home, what an amazing dream! I think I've watched every single video I can find of yours throughout the years - Atlantis 😍❤

[@auroraaustralis5470]

😎💞thank you Michael Reynolds Earth Ship 🖖 Genius thanks yes onto building 🤕🤭👷 upgrades. 🥰

[@auroraaustralis5470]

Thank you the invitation appreciate working on 😎

[@paulbrown2971]

What a great result. I was particularly impressed by the common sense approach to the utilities, as well as your comment on the construction tools being powered early on due to the timing of the solar installation. A logical and beautiful plan in keeping with the ethics of the build. Complimenti!

[@PLANE_TRUTH]

VERY NICE MIKE GOOD JOB !

[@jeffwolfe191]

The drapery also helps with echoes!

[@michaelaallen844]

Can’t wait to have one someday ❤

[@williamfox1146]

Thank you for the updates. Fascinating.

[@Edwin-pj7pt]

AWESOME MICHAEL!!!!!

[@sondra6674]

Happy to see you, Mike!

[@Beeni-wello777]

Hadih🤲 Sne kalyegh 🤲 Wow, can't believe how much simpler than the older Earthship ship homes. I just seen the earlier video of this particular home from the beginning.

[@doncerra7867]

I'd like to come be apart of this. I've been following your work for years Mr Reynolds

[@allonesame6467]

Awesome to see you Michael! Keep Going! Thank you for everything.

[@JCC_1975]

I still want to live in an earthship one day💜💜

[@larkendelvie]

Fascinating

[@donnawebber4974]

Bless you...❤

[@t04v7]

Have you guys ever thought about building a microclimate structure that is * primarily * for food production? That seems like the next step if there were a next step… especially thinking about redesigning communities and local food systems. A man comes to mind in Nebraska who built a burmed greenhouse and used cooling tubes to control temperature. He has mature citrus trees and other tropical fruit that produce year-round.

[@TwilightMysts]

I've kicked around building a cross between an Earthship and a Chinese greenhouse. Unfortunately land and construction is too expensive, so I would either need a bunch of crowdfunding to pay for it, or take out a loan and make it into a profitable business.

[@TheEclecticPhotog]

This is my dream home, I wish I could move in today!

[@BuckJones1909]

In following the recirculating water system I missed whether it involves a septic tank or does the garden act as one! This dwelling is really a great way to coexist with earth! Thank you!

[@TwilightMysts]

There is usually still a septic tank and external drain field for black water. The way the concept works is it utilizes rain water collection, which goes to the sinks and showers. The water then drains into the planters across the front, watering the plants. After being filtered by the planters, the water is then used by the toilets. From there it runs through a standard septic tank out to a drain field, watering a small patch of external plants. The kitchen sink depends on your location. Some areas consider the kitchen sink black water, so it goes straight to the septic tank, others let it go to the planters just like the bathroom sinks/showers.

[@LexYeen]

​@@TwilightMystsyeah, good rundown - typically the blackwater seep field for an earthship will have a no-edible-plants rule too, but that doesn't mean you can't plant a native pollinator garden on it.

[@frictionhitch]

Go to MAUI! They need you. I recently stayed with you. Your homes would still be standing. Do a home in Maui!

[@tomsortore8301]

Did the work shop with Mike in 1991 in taos. He just might be the 2nd coming. Beautiful enlighten man

[@xterraoverland4380]

From across the street,thanks Mike.

[@angelamarialucianodecampos3098]

Fantástico!!! Adorei tudo o que vi. Um sistema de ventilação incrivelmente prático. O que mais gostei, mesmo, foi o sistema rotativo da água do chuveiro, filtrado pelas plantas e retornado ao vaso sanitário. Aqui em casa, que fica na cidade, também utilizo energia solar off grid; captação e filtragem de água da chuva para 70% das atividades da casa; reaproveito a água da máquina de lavar e do chuveiro para as descargas, só que tudo feito com filtros convencionais. Mas eu ainda chego lá. Congratulações de Tatuí/SP/BR 🇧🇷

[@upsidedahead]

I love these houses

[@Brian-os9qj]

I was at the site about a month ago, fascinating and wonderful. Thx MR

[@deborahlynnxyz]

If there is a KZbin channel who wants to build this for my son and I, I own eight acres in rural Kentucky, no zoning, no restrictions and no permits needed. Build, and film and share. Publicize your channel, give tours whatever you want until we get the keys to the home.

[@darrellluck7230]

Have you scrapped the garden in front of the house that received the toilet flush water? Is the Refuge on a septic tank system instead? Would the cooling tube system be adequate for humid Tennessee summers? Awesome what you have achieved, Michael.

[@carolinebray82]

this is amazing!! I love the earthship concept! I now feel more stuck renting than ever!

[@TwilightMysts]

There are growing indicators of a market correct on housing. Hopefully in a couple of years prices will be much more affordable again.

[@carolinebray82]

@@TwilightMysts even trying to find a lot of the right land where people might want to come visit me is always an interesting concept

[@steveborn3455]

Using a toilet with built in bidet will help conserve trees used for making toilet paper and will go a long way to keeping your pipes, septic fields, and septic tanks from getting clogged and filled up with unnecessary waste.

[@Moonplant432]

Nice highway in the background...

[@maximodigital4765]

Excellent Tech

[@nataliewilliams9741]

A Facebook Friend of mine by the name of James Anderson invented an Organic Waste to Biofuel System called ORB that can power homes on what goes in the toilet 🚽. I bet you and he could have some interesting conversations, Michael!

[@gregm5636]

great stuff

[@leepizarro]

This is my dream home

[@williamwillaims]

I would love to hear from some people who have lived in these for a number of years. I knownthe design has changed over the years and improved , but it would be good to get an honest warts and all feedback. My concern is that they wouldn't hold the heat in enough during winter

[@TwilightMysts]

If you are concerned about winter, you could add extra insulation, put heavy curtains to close when the sun isn't out, and add an alternate heating source (gas, electric, wood stove...) to make up the difference. I plan to put a rocket mass heater in mine. I heard a story about a monolithic dome that ran out of gas for heating during a blizzard. It took two or three days before they even noticed. Another story, an Earthship (I believe in Canada) had to put in a conventional heating system for regulations purposes, but almost never needs it. I suspect if you put some extra effort into handling cold temperatures, you would be just fine.

[@OnlyFactsPlease]

There are designs that include a second greenhouse for builds in very frigid climes. Being surrounded on three sides by insulated thermal mass, thick foam in the ceiling, the constant 55F earth below, and glass south face (or2) add up to extreme thermal performance. I really can't see lack of heat being an issue in this kind of structure. I see that some people are concerned about high humidity in these earthships. I wonder about that, too

[@EarthCreature.]

Amazingly spacious. Would have loved to see more of the main room & kitchen too ❤️

[@briangorley3823]

Amazingly simple and yet, logical way to heat/cool/capture water and distribute within a home. Love the botanical greenhouse along the south side. Instead of using tires, I assume this design can be modified if using regular rammed earth on the north side, and can include solar tubes to capture and light up the bedrooms during the day without the use of electricity. Bravo, either way!

[@TwilightMysts]

I hope to build one using rammed earth some day. I am confident it is perfectly usable. As for the lighting, they are usually designed so that light from the front windows goes through the greenhouse into the rooms. It will vary with the time of year, but it should cover most non-reading light needs.

[@OnlyFactsPlease]

those solar light tubes are pretty, and interesting to look at, but they're horrible for the longevity of a roof, having a penetration like that. I'd just go with a dimmable light for each room. There are very pleasant LED lights now, and they use very, very little electric power.

[@kevb.1791]

I am so glad to see you Mike Always thought you should add sardines and eggs to that vegan anticancer diet

[@Edwin-pj7pt]

MODEL T, AFFORDIBLE EARTHSHIP...

[@builtwithsustainability6221]

Still innovating as per usual - Awesome ! Great to see you still good enough for Taos Mike. I still think you should consider low voltage circulation fans in the bedrooms to force cross ventilation with the cooling tubes flow. Also the rear should also have a water spout nearby to clean the cistern or roof. Any interest in algae-bioreactor tank on south glazing?? Thanks Mike God bless.

[@jamesstepp1925]

Going to be building a new home soon, and Earthships were my first choice. The problem is I live in Alaska, and we simply don't get enough solar in the winter to use this type of design. I will be building using the same outward design, but I will need far more insulation and a heating system to survive our winters. I have been looking at strawbale construction, but my wife and I are still in discovery stage.

[@TwilightMysts]

Rammed earth walls are beautiful, and can have quite a bit of insulation inside. Down sides are that they are VERY thick walls, cutting into your usable square footage, they are almost as labor intensive as rammed tire walls, and are probably more expensive (I believe rammed earth mixes in around 10% cement as a binding agent, though a lot of earthships use cement as a filler on the tire walls, so I could be wrong about which costs more.)

[@OnlyFactsPlease]

Michael Reynolds has designed earthships that include a second greenhouse, which adds functional space and an extra thermal buffer from outside temperatures. The other (less initially expensive) way to go would be to rely more on chemical fuels, and just have an insulated rammed earth south face with minimal windows. you won't get a livable greenhouse, and you'll have to deal with the grey water in a different way, but it's doable. I wonder if anybody at Earthship Biotecture has tried to do an automated curtain that goes clear across the greenhouse glass at night

[@jamesstepp1925]

@@OnlyFactsPlease I wish it were that simple. In Alaska there simply isn't much sun in the winter, and Earthship designs use thermal energy to achieve their temperature equilibrium. If you spend 3-4 months with no thermal energy that thermal mass is going to get brutally cold at -20F. In summer we get A TON of sun, winter not so much. Wood heat is my best choice at that point, with superior insulation. Ergo, looking into straw bale construction to stay as natural building as possible. That being said, I can build to the same design as the Earthship with a lot of the same features. The greenhouse would have to shut down in the winter, but I can do that no problem. I use a Separett toilet and biocompatible soaps so no real issues with grey or blackwater.

[@mojavebohemian814]

Thanks

[@JCImageInc.]

Dream home!

[@amarynth100]

where can one find full information ,to learn this building process ? i want one badly .love the shapes

[@KrawmKruach]

i really want to build something very similar to the earthship but it needs to be modified for humid enviroments.

[@eddie8730]

I was just thinking about humidity. It seems this concept only works for desert environments.

[@cindylong624]

works great in the desert... but in humid environments not good

[@aaruncoox]

i want to be there... i want to be a part of this

[@2jerrysapp560]

Earthships Rule

[@salimufari]

Does that battery system require ventilation for vapors or any part of byproduct from the electrical system?

[@earthship]

These air Lithium Iron Phosphate - they do not off-gass like lead acid

[@curiousnomadic]

the higher up you mount the water reservoir the more pressure you get from it regardless of volume. It's a principle of physics and it is demonstrated on youtube.

[@TwilightMysts]

It is trade-offs. You won't generate much pressure unless you raise the cistern several dozen feet. But if you do that then you will need a pump to get the water into it, and you will lose the in-ground cooling effect.

[@curiousnomadic]

@@TwilightMysts A basic mechanical windmill could pump the water.

[@kazzana9013]

You get about half a pound of pressure per foot of elevation . I think the benefits of cooling in ground out way the amount of height required to get enough pressure.

[@curiousnomadic]

@@kazzana9013 We're just trying to get more pressure. It can still be cooled the same.

[@curiousnomadic]

@@kazzana9013 "half a pound of pressure per foot of elevation" No that's really not the case and you don't need a large volume kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3uro6VoZrqpj5osi=dOXy_sEip7KoYgga See Pascal's barrel experiment

[@gp2755]

legend

[@user-ox1og7xu5y]

I love the design of this earthship... pure genius! I have full intentions of living in one someday soon. BUT... if I have to build one myself, how do I go about getting a reluctant spouse/family on board with living rustically until the earthship is finished? Being on fixed income, I cannot afford to put them up in a rental while I build alone... and that's a LOT of work. Hopefully, I will be able to find a finished one for sale or rent that I can afford... then I will be able to attend the earthship academy and start building my own... I hope.

[@TwilightMysts]

Depending on your local climate, perhaps get a yurt or dome tent to live in? You should be able to build one for under $100k, and they can get fairly nice inside. The fixtures and appliances (kitchen counters, sink, fridge, bathroom sink, toilets, shower fittings, wood stove, etc...) could be moved into the earthship when it was done, and the tent itself could probably be resold. I suspect the net loss would only be around $25k, and you can make that back just on 2 years of not renting an apartment. The big challenge is that earthships are very labor intensive to build. Paying someone else to do it is very expensive because of the time, but doing it yourself means either spending years to build it on nights/weekends, or quitting your job to work on it full time and get it done in 6-12 months. Either way, they aren't really any cheaper to build than a regular house. The savings come later from not having utilities, and having the peace of mind of being more self-sustaining.

[@user-ox1og7xu5y]

@@TwilightMysts This does nothing to answer my question- how to get family to live rustically while building... my tribe refuses to live in any tent. I can't even get them to camp with me. I'm retired, so I don't have to limit my building to weekends, etc. I'm not sure how I will accomplish this, but I will...

[@pcatful]

Why don’t you want an overhang so that the glass area is covered in shade during the summer?

[@lindaallen2412]

What is the smallest one you do and how much, plus do you build them in France 😊

[@martinsnape7995]

You say you dont use plastic water tanks. I would love to see a video of how the Tyre tank is constructed.

[@TwilightMysts]

A lot of earthships do use plastic cisterns, others (like this one) build a large cistern in place.

[@earthship]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXKugZiqjs-cqas

[@Jungletrump]

I could not tell in the video. Are the transoms screened? How do you keep the critters from getting in?

[@earthship]

yes they are screened

[@lorichaplin7328]

How much property do you need to build this? We are in Michigan, and are retired. Would be interested in details….need one economical to build…

[@varietasVeritas]

What are the air temperatures on the inlet pipes inside during the summer or winter?

[@THCV4]

This looks like an awesome home design, but running the shower drain directly to plants doesn’t make sense to me? What if someone has to rinse chemicals off of themselves, or if they need to use soap?

[@drSebi_jr]

Get mike i just designed a app linux system to control the home

[@joewebster903]

Well done!! What about trash?

[@OnlyFactsPlease]

Use your trash to build another earthship!😉Joking aside, this kind of home is built off-grid, usually meaning away from cities' trash infrastructure. Basically, if it isn't metal or glass, it just gets burned. and the metal and glass bottles can be used to build more Earthships!

[@dabzprincess92]

I want my house at 45 degrees all year long is that possible with these homes????

[@MrGetzenwithit]

Do have to use special soap in the shower? Or does that water get filtered some way before it gets to the planter beds?

[@LexYeen]

Probably best to use something biodegradable like Bronner's in a system like that, and not much of it at a time.

[@DrEnginerd1]

That’ll be 3.8 million sir

[@MadnomadM]

Didn’t really discuss black sewage system. It goes out to a developed leach field. Did something change?

[@TwilightMysts]

Normally black water is handled like any other house: Septic tank and then a drain field. I would think this one is no different.

[@earthship]

Yes, we have a 1,000 gallon septic and leach field in front of the building

[@thomaskroepfl]

could this work is someplace like central Arkansas?

[@UpgradingJeff]

What is the cost to truck in water if you ever run out due to a super dry summer? Do you use special soaps and detergents to prevent contamination of the food you produce in the botanical cells?

[@alisaharris8926]

I am in Arizona and I get 4000 gallons for around $100 dollars hope that helps

[@alisaharris8926]

Yes you have to use biodegradable soaps

[@inthehouse9062]

I would love to buy a small two or three room earthship .. for about 50 k

[@Firedog-ny3cq]

Dream on.

[@inthehouse9062]

@@Firedog-ny3cq Actually I just heard of a studio earthship for sale for 50k so you should know what you are talking about before you belch out a comment. Generally a nice place seems like they would be more pricey I am trying to get an idea of the pricing on small places

[@lisacrumrine4869]

Wouldn't this type of structure do well in tornado prone areas?? I do not understand why homes are not built for the cilmate/environment where they are located.

[@moonshinefuel]

If you put it up for sale how much would you ask for it? How much is it worth? Cost to build etc.

[@JohannSauer81]

Currently listed for 550k in Taos, NM

[@jadesandland5540]

I'm just curious I never see anybody living in them there always abandon rented out for bnb I see no gardens and stuff outside either why?

[@earthship]

This home was just finished, construction on a building disturbs the surrounding plants and it takes time to grow back in...

[@jadesandland5540]

@@earthship ok yes I see I live in Colorado and wanted to do out here but climate way to unforgiving in winter for me i lived here since 75 it would be nice out there you can have better gardens and better water catchment Colorado getting anal on water rights and I hate the high winds

[@jeanwonnacott2718]

What about all the creatures living in your tubes?

[@Jh-yi8gc]

Will this work in Phoenix Arizona? How cool is it in the summer?

[@crimblegnome]

Yes the Refuge or any Earthship model would work very well in Phoenix. It would be nice and cool inside with your air intake and transoms open

[@Jh-yi8gc]

@@crimblegnome do we know any one who has done it here in Phoenix so I can go see it? Or will I have to be the first?

[@crimblegnome]

@@Jh-yi8gc it all depends on your county codes and what they allow for self-sustainable off-grid building. I'm speaking more on the climate zone that Phoenix is in and how an Earthship functions in that zone number. I'm not sure what the regulations are for where you live

[@Jh-yi8gc]

@@crimblegnome I have 20 acres that's zoned for anything so the city doesn't care on my land but the climate is what I'm more concerned with. 115 degree day and hoping it's not boiling inside if that makes sense. You guys want to use my land as a test bed for Phoenix?

[@briangorley3823]

@@Jh-yi8gc Zoning is different than building code requirements. I doubt Phoenix or Maricopa County would allow anything like this. Most go up to the rim, or down in southeast AZ for this type of building. Def worth looking into if you own good land, though. Best of luck from a SE Valley resident.

[@l.anthony1]

So you can't sleep in a darkend room because of the convection. Closed curtains block the air flow 🤔

[@MadnomadM]

What? Still watching video. 1st time I heard that and been following for 20 yrs.

[@MadnomadM]

I see the transom’s are on interior wall to garden area… I’d have to revert to sleep masks.

[@JohannSauer81]

You could make a more complicated transom that allows air to pass through but blocks light. At first glance, a pair of opaque sheets 2/3rds the transom width, with an air gap between them, should block a lot of the light. You'd likely lose some airflow due to increased resistance. Depending on how much of an airgap you allow, it might be thin enough of an assembly to still be manageable as a hinged transom to get full bore airflow when darkness isn't wanted. Or ditch the hinged transom and go full sliding panels.