Monday, August 15, 2011

Earthships

While vacationing in New Mexico a few weeks ago we came upon the Greater World Community near Taos. It looked very much like a housing addition with a different twist.  The homes are known as Earthships. Maybe you've heard of these.  Homes built mainly underground that are energy efficient and considered "green" friendly. 


Most of these homes come with acreage.




There were probably 15 to 20 of these homes in this particular addition.


                  This particular Earthship was still under construction.

Earthships were the brainchild of architect Michael Reynolds and are homes that self heat and cool. They are made of adobe, rough timber with flagstone floors.  Solar panels provide electricity and water collection systems on the roof.  They also provide composting systems for human waste. These Earthships don't come cheap. Land is expensive around Taos and a one room home can start at $100,000.  I found one online for $1,600,000.

One thing is for sure. They are very weird looking sitting out on the stark landscape of Taos.  You either like them or you don't. I would have loved to have seen the inside of one of them. Very interesting indeed.

Christine

9 comments:

Ina in Alaska said...

Interesting! Not sure if I could live like that but I would enjoy an easy-clean flagstone floor!

Looks like it was a great adventure! I too would enjoy seeing the inside.

Unknown said...

They sure look and sound interesting! New header pic and page is soooooo pretty!

Anonymous said...

Very Interesting!! The name alone is different "Earthships" makes me think of Star trek an dmother earth...Beam me up Scotty!! lol

I'll take my log cabin nestled in the Tananna Valley of Alaska :)

Oklahoma Granny said...

What an interesting post! I've never heard about these homes. Like you, I'd love to be able to see inside.

JacksDad said...

The mountains around Taos are so beautiful. Those houses - not so much :)

Vee said...

Oh my. Those things do look strange. Pricey, too. Perhaps if you took the tour, inside they'd be more traditional.

We have one underground house locally, but it looks more Frank Lloyd Wright-like. It maintains a temp of 60 year round so the heat is supplemented year round. I think it's kept at 70.

Jeff said...

Wow! I've never heard of or seen this type of houses. They are strange looking. Thanks for sharing, Christine! Glad you had such a great trip with the fam. ~Jeff

Sush said...

I think I'd get very claustrophobic living under ground. But it looks very intriguing...

Hugs~

Anonymous said...

I forgot to go look for them online! They are so intriguing! Bet there is a tone of $$$ invested in them to make them green and unique. Going green isn't cheap. Love your new header!