©Gary Duncan/Smart Shelter Network 2000- all rights reserved- duplication or publication without consent is prohibited.

(Note: 14 Nov, 2005 ...this report, prepared in Feb, 2000 was accurate as of that date. Work regarding natural building research has been terminated by Smart Shelter and its efforts have moved on into support of environmental illness and land steward issues. Use this information at your own risk and expect it to be dated)

Earthships are a thirty year old technology at the vanguard of sustainable building techniques pioneered by architect and inventor Michael Reynolds of Taos, New Mexico. Their intent is to produce a completely self-sustaining living environment with minimal (if not positive) impacts on the environment.

These objectives are accomplished by intensive use of passive solar design technology, massing, space efficiency, earth berming, rain water catchment, photo-voltaic electric power generation, biological waste water reutilization and treatment, low-toxic natural material finishes and utilizing recycled or throw-away consumer byproducts (such as tires, bottles and cans) to build the home.

Earthships are idiosyncratic by contemporary standards in that the living space is below ground on the north and parts of the east and west walls, rooms are not completely separated with walls extending to the ceiling (which allows convective air flow), they are very massive and incorporate a large greenhouse space often extending nearly the length of the mostly glass southern wall....which admits profuse sunlight and solar heat. People who live in earthships seem to be very attached to them and the life-styles they produce. There are definitely "earthship" people, just as there are "strawbale" and "adobe" people.

It is estimated at the time of this printing (Feb, 2000) that approximately 50 earthships have been built in the Smart Shelter service area of southwestern Colorado. This comes from estimates from Solar Survival/ Mike Reynolds of Taos (who usually designs them) and an extension of the listing which follows here...detailing over thirty known structures and assuming that another third exist we haven't tracked or seen yet...which is realistic in terms of what we've seen develop in other case study areas of sustainable building...such as the strawbale building inventory conducted by this network.

Comments and overviews regarding earthships all come from owners, occupants and builders of earthships contained on this list and are limited only to those which exist in this region, climate and code jurisdictions.

Some of the homes listed here are reported to exist by network members, sustainable builders or community members. Some have been investigated or case studied by the network, which you will find indicated in the building description. Some have been toured and extensive information is compiled and available on the home, the systems used, costs, installers and the owners evaluation of their performances. Investigation into their viability with this region continues, as does the evolution of the earthship design itself.

Earthships are not as popular or profuse as some of the other sustainable building techniques such as adobe and strawbale...probably because the are idiosyncratic, appeal to a very specific home owner group,and are very labor intensive to build.

Those who do build and live in these structures, given that they are constructed by trained and competent builders (often the owners themselves) and are designed in accordance with known state of the art parameters accumulated by the Taos group, produce extremely energy efficient, low-toxic, durable and livable homes.

As in any building media, in instances where design standards do not follow experience and details for water catchment, insulation barriers, glazing techniques, drainage, etc. are not properly designed and executed, the building performance is lacking.

We are fortunate to have some of the best executed earthships in the country in this area, notably the Weaver and the Lecour residences (Ridgway-see listing below). Of these two, the Lecour residence presents the zenith of sustainable building...combining space efficiency (1500 sq ft) with a very high level of finishing quality and systems integrity. In short, it is stunningly beautiful by any standards besides expertly producing its own electrical power, water supply, heating, cooling and greenhouse space (400 sq ft of it).

It should also be noted that Mrs. Lecour has environmental illness/ multiple chemical sensitivity and the fact that she's comfortable in this structure attests to the value of non-toxic natural construction materials and techniques. She would not be able to live in a conventional structure.

There are characteristics of earthships which differ from other structures.

The intensive use of glazing on the south walls can produce sun glare from windows, requiring use of shading. Often a movable shading system is used both on the exterior and interior of windows. The exterior to control sunlight levels, the interior to control heat loss at nite. The drawback to using these shades is that it prevents the huge amount of sunlight intended to be stored in the massive tirewalls at the rear of the structure from being absorbed.

Some people design "cool spots" into their structures by skipping glazing in sections of the south wall, building solid walls and producing shaded southern parts of certain rooms.

Some people object to the absence of doors, reducing privacy. Rooms in earthships are not completely separated from each other because the open spaces are necessary for the movement of air and heat for passive solar storage.

There are reports that earthships are susceptible to summer overheating and being cold in winter. Auxiliary heating systems are usually "kiva" fireplaces or free-standing wood stoves.

A constant controversy in the past few years surrounds the use of earth packed and stacked used tires as the core structural elements for the back walls of the earthships (which are then buried below the earth berm on the north, east and west walls. Tires are not allowed to be buried in landfills because they are known to produce (out gas) methane gas when in contact with sunlight, soil and moisture. Fires have resulted (though none are reported in earthships).

Mike Reynolds commented to this question (Crested Butte May 1999) that a Wisconsin physicist maintains outgassing is prominent mainly in new tires. Old tires are typically used in earthships. They have been run at high temperatures for years and have already outgased. The tires are encased in plaster, preventing outgassing into the living space. No sun exposure is possible when tires are encased and the earthship walls are dry because they are weather sealed at the berm/roof level to prevent moisture from penetrating the back wall. He has this report available in a newsletter.

There are reports that tire products used in covering roads in Oregon (apparently exposed to sunlight, soil and moisture) have bubbled toxic gases and discharged into rivers (source unknown).

There is another report that an embankment made with tire products caught fire (methane outgassing emissions) in the Glenwood Springs area.

Again, there are no known problems with either outgassing or fire hazards in any of the earthships in this area (or elsewhere) to the knowledge of this network.

Probably the best evidence regarding toxic tire outgassing is Karen Lecour, who is extremely sensitive to tire fumes (and myriad other toxins). She can't be in a tire store more that 1-2 minutes without having sever reactions. She has lived in her earthship (built with new tires) for three years without any such reactions. No other earthship occupants queried (appx. 12) gives any credence to outgassing at any level in these structures, nor are any known to exhibit chemical sensitivity symptoms...something we definitely can't say about people living in stick frame conventional homes.

This area is one of the highest Radon gas risk areas in the United States. Ken Wyrick (Environmental Testing-Ridgway) says radon testing and mitigation needs to be done on earthships.

Mike Reynolds comment (Crested Butte- may 1999) regarding radon risk in these homes is that the constant ventilation in earthships makes it unnecessary....it exhausts the radon. No actual test have been done that are known in this area (as of feb 2000) on earthships.

Earthships maintain high humidity levels, which are new to some people, because of the presence of greenhouse plants and the migrating natural soil moisture from the berming. Humidity levels in the 20-60% range are superior for health reasons, especially in dry climate cold winter. It reduces susceptibility to viral infections and respiratory ailments, as long as air quality is maintained.

Extensive growing in the sun spaces can produce the usual bugs and insect problems. Spraying with pesticides is extremely dangerous in this living environment. Organic integrated pest management practices are a must. Contact earthship owners in your area for their tricks....which work.

The structural integrity of earthships is probably 3 times (in duration) that of conventional stick frame structures (whose lifespan averages 80 years). These are probably 2-300 year structures. Their finishes add to that longevity because they are mostly bermed and consequently require little or no exterior siding maintenance...there's very little exterior to maintain. This amounts to a savings of approximately $1-2,000 per year over the lifespan of the building...compared to conventional shells.

Energy efficiency or total independence in earthships constitutes a huge investment in savings over the lifetime of the structure. If the earthship is completely energy independent, as they are intended, they save the $900 per year known to be the national average heating, cooling and lighting expense for conventional structures. This saves $18,000 in a 20 year occupancy, $72,000 over the 80 year life span of a conventional structure or $180,000 over the expected 200 year lifespan of the earthship.

Seen as a comparative investment for retirement, an earthship energy savings investment has never been known to fail...the stock market supporting mutual funds can't say that.

No earthship resale experience is documented in this region. People who build these homes seldom let go of them. Judging, however, from some sales of other low-toxic, sustainably built, energy efficient homes in the Smart Shelter Service area...the same "Green Premium" rule would be expected to apply...that is these homes will sell for 10-30% over equivalent comparative fair market value for conventionally built homes. This is for several reasons: (a) national consumer awareness of the environmental, cost and livability benefits of sustainably built homes is now high (b) energy efficiency is seen by informed investors/buyers as a necessity...given a future of soaring energy prices (c) long term health effects of toxic conventional frame-built building homes make them unadvisable to the informed buyer...especially those with children.

The limited sales experience with similar structures(mainly strawbale) is that they are on the market for very short periods (two weeks is the experience to date). ...indicating the driving force behind the "Green Premium" phenomenon, which is that a large market for these homes exists among people who don't want to build one for themselves...but want a "turn-key" purchase. There are no spec builders for earthships (to date). So demand is high, supply is low.

Key to a resale, however, is letting that specific target market know of an availability. Smart Shelter maintains a section of its website for posting of real estate sales and buyers for sustainable building. (www.smartshelter.com).

Earthship Service Providers:

Tim and Sheryle Pettet (Ouray)-325-4769- earthship builders, adobe floors,natural finishes-very high quality work

John Andrews (Glade Park-Grand Junction) builder 245-5694

Dave and Kathy Tonsing (Pueblo) - professional earthship contractors, will travel, will bid on earthship construction re: Bob and Karen Lecour 626-2004 (as of jan 2000)

Solar Survival-Mike Reynolds POB 1041, Taos, New Mexico 87571 (505)751-0462 earthship originator, designer, provides systems for earthships (see Lecour report)

Two Dimensional Information Sources:

web site by Bob Lecour- www.sanjuancountry.com- has a page on their earthship

Video by Bob Lecour of their earthship 626-2004

3 earthship books by Mike Reynolds on earthship construction and systems

earthship@earthship.org

Smart Shelter Earthship Tour Report (9 pages) on Lecour earthship-costs, systems, sources, performances, recommendations, documentation (970) 249-2396

Earthship Listing:

The following are known or reported to be known earthships built in this region. If you know of others, please let the network know.

Crestone/San Luis Valley (3 in Baca Grande as of fall 1998)

Haidakondra Ashram Earthship-large, well executed religious facility (with strawbale out building)

Susan Dutweiler Home- Baca Grande off main road @ Willow Creek sloped glass earthship, on demand propane hot water- reports it taking a year to fully heat charge the mass

Nick Lamaru- (?)

Roaring Fork Valley (Glenwood Springs to Aspen) (3 earthships reported)

Gunnison Area (1 reported in Gunnison- 1 in Crested Butte)

Ridgway Area ( 9 earthships as of Feb 2000)

Dennis & Jerry Weaver- 10,000 sq ft, three story- conducts tours-apparent structural problem and lawsuit over tires/structural . Has web site and video available. Sometimesoffers tours .

Chris Pike- (626-5248) Partially incomplete generic earthship

Rusty Weaver (Eagle Hill Ranch)

Russ Widger/Affordable housing area (Ridgway)- currently unoccupied

Bob and Karen Lecour(626-2004) Tim Pettet-builder (case study aug 1998) (9 page tour/resource report available from smart shelter) (video,tours&website available from owners) 1500 sq ft, 6000 gal water catchment/storage,off grid, poured adobe floors, natural adobe plaster, slope glazing, double screens $140/sq ft owner reported cost. Sunfrost refrigerator. generic 3 cell earthship designed by Solar Survival

Ken and Cookie Hodges (Last Dollar Road) (728-6604) 2001 County Rd 56V-Telluride POB 2646 Telluride 81435 (warninging...november, 2005...after 25 years of vastly popular and prefered off grid living, making the Last Dollar Road area one of the few in the county, San Miguel Power Association at the urging of two property owners destroyed the pristine beauty, introduced vast tracts of invasive species through heavy equipment and trenching and installed a power line contaminating the area forever. Ken Hodges was one of the two. His motivation was an increase in land values...on which he had already made a fortune due to longevity of his investment. No contact is recommended. Any retalitory action is supported. This man is an enemy of the sustainability community if there ever was one)

Robert Ravell (Pleasant Point) near Lecour- under construction spring 2000

Rico

Keith & Tracy Lindaur (970) 967-2882 POB 113, Rico, 81332- earthship with attached bale greenhouse

Dr. Gerry and Marilyn Greibel (Sundial at Rico) generic earthship by Keith Lindaur, grid-tied pv, 2 bdr, 1 bath, graywater, modified watson wick sewage disposal 2-5,000 gallon cisterns built out of cans and lined with 1" layers of foam insulation- 5 coats of plaster

North Fork Valley

Rick and Jackie Anderson (Near Nancy Carter) Paonia- settling problem (?roof?)

Sally ??- nurse from Aspen (Near Nancy Carter) - 3 year building project

???name unknown- earthship on Lamborn Mesa- Near Mose Oppenheimer

Grand Junction

Jeff and Linda Evans (Glade Park) 265-7405 see case study strawbale garage

(case study 1996) Linda teaches sustainable living- tours may be available

Anne Landman (241-3305) Glade Park- north of Glade Park store- does tours built ~1994

appx cost $24/sq ft- owner reported- full water collection system

John Andrews (245-5694) earthship builder (Glade Park)

Durango/Bayfield (2 earthships in the Bayfield area near Bruce Glenn)

? owner Name? next to Bruce Glenn- 1200 sq ft earthship with wood upper floors compost toilet abandone (flies and smell)- electric heated toilet too much load for the pv system...problem with the fan. County required back up septic system, which turned out to be a good idea..needed when the composter failed. Water catchment abandoned sediment build up from airborn road dust clogged filters, tank had to be flushed. Vertical glazing on south side- prevents over-gain. Screening is used in the summer. (case study/site visit feb 1998) Owners report being very happy with home.

Norwood/Nucla

2400 sq ft-owner (?Terry) unknown earthsheltered home-Re: Linda Adkins (Nucla)

Moab/ Castle Valley

(2 earthships reported in Castle Valley area)

Lake City

? owner unknown- report from building official in 1997 of earthship in plan/progress re:Richard Baumann (building official) 944-2319

Pagosa Springs

Mick Abraham-concrete-earthbermed structure

Miscellaneous rammed earth tire and bermed structures using Earthship elements

John Baldus Shop- Dave Wood Road Montrose

Barb and Stu Krebs Home- Happy Canyon (Montrose)- two story rammed earth tire structure (249-3989)

Wertz Home (Nov 1999) re: Marv Ballantyne- between Locust and Land fill roads on La Plaza(Montrose)an earth sheltered home 1100 sq ft, appraised at $90,000 -concrete shell with crawl space- owner/builder/engineer- Jay Thoe

Annie Riggs Home- Currently the Ark foundation (Lisa) (Wilson Mesa-Telluride) earthsheltered, huge rock cairn active heat storage systems, one of the earliest intensive passive/active homes in the region....built in 1970's

Ron and Vera Stauffer (Montrose) 209-1660 (case study April 1995) Dave Wood Road- 1660 sq ft, hi-tech rendition of earthship with conventional finishes, pv, passive solar, earth bermed, earth duct cooling, owner/builder, solar hot water, pv water pump/well