∣Exploring Nature-based Solution∣ Sustainable Buildings: Earthships

Introduction:

Technological developments have made us more efficient and created numerous advances for our society, but it is important to recognize they may not always be the most efficient solution to all our problems. We need to take a step back and learn to integrate nature into future innovations for a sustainable future. This is where nature-based solutions can play a role. The EU defines nature based solutions as "solutions that are inspired and supported by nature." These solutions combine environmental, social, and economic benefits, to bring forth more natural features, processes, local adaptations, and resource-efficiency. The following articles present a few examples of nature-based solutions and their potential for moving society towards a sustainable future.

Sustainable Buildings: Earthships

Earthships are a self-sufficient alternative to conventional homes. The architecture is designed to be energy efficient and use as much natural and recycled materials as possible. It provides accessibility to modern living without depending on non-renewable resources. Earthships are designed based on available resources, therefore they can differ based on location. It is considered a nature-based solution because these buildings are designed to work with nature to create a comfortable living space. Some example components of Earthships include rainwater harvesting, solar heating, on-site water treatment and using thermal mass for temperature regulation. These components are designed to shift buildings away from dependency on conventional utilities and to work in harmony with nature.

Materials used for building Earthships can range from recycled glass bottles, salvaged wood, and other locally sourced resources. The choice of material is based on what would have the smallest environmental impact, therefore the construction of the buildings largely deviates from traditional methods. This provides more opportunities for using recycled materials and helps with minimizing resource consumption.

Earthship in El Prado, New Mexico
(Left) Exterior｜(Right) Interior

The first Earthship was built by architect Michael Reynolds during the 1970s energy crisis. His buildings provide heating and cooling through solar panels, wind turbines or biodiesel generators. As for the water, a cistern collects rainwater, which is then purified through a Water Organization Module, while the wastewater is transported to plants grown around the building. Besides internal systems, the entirety of the house is typically designed, built facing the south and is usually built against a hillside or some type of dirt wall to absorb maximum heat. The outside walls are built from two rows of recycled aluminium cans and covered with some type of material like adobe.

The inside walls are made of dirt-filled old tires, while open spaces would be filled with aluminium cans or bottles, similarly the walls are also covered with either adobe, plaster, or stucco. Newer Earthships also have vents for air conditioning use as well as greenhouse space for better temperature regulation. Architects specialized in building Earthships ensure that the systems are designed to harvest water, produce food, and maintain sewage as sustainably and efficiently as possible.

Reynold's has expanded his architectural firm from what was originally known as Solar Survival Architecture, to Earthship Biotecture. The major selling points of Earthships are their low operational costs, self-sufficiency, as well as being nearly fireproof because the walls are made of dirt-filled tires, thus containing little to no oxygen. His projects have gained popularity across the world, and he has created different designs based on the location. For example, while working on a project for an Earthship in Canada, he had to design something that could withstand intense winters. He did this by adding a vapor barrier between the wall and the floor and using total outer wall insulation as well as adding insulation on the roof to prevent heat loss. Therefore, his Earthships can also be designed to adapt to cold weathers, which then served as model Earthships in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Belgium.

Approximately 3000 Earthships currently exist globally. In 2018, Taiwan held the “Taichung World Flora Exposition” in Taichung. This exposition was held in Houli country and was a horticulture exposition participated by 33 different countries. The theme of the exposition in that year was for countries to illustrate their view on how they would implement systematic and sustainable integration in the region, ultimately demonstrating the importance of valuing and respecting nature. During this exposition they displayed an Earthship called “The Wheel” designed by Chishen Chien, from a company called Architects Uncharted (深宇建築). It is designed with resources that have as little environmental impact as possible. Some components of its construction are like Michael Reynolds’ Earthship, such as having the building face south. Other elements of this Earthship include high ceilings to support ventilation and low carbon emitting materials. This building has also won international awards in the sustainable buildings category.

To conclude, Earthships are a type of nature based solution serving as an alternative to conventional construction methods. It combines both art and functionality into architecture. Furthermore, it can make inhabitants feel more in touch with nature because the design of the building tries to integrate as much nature as possible. The designs of Earthships are only improving and becoming more efficient, while still maintaining integrity to its original concept.

The Wheel

Reference:
Introduction Source:
https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en
Article 1 Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Earthship
https://www.earthshipglobal.com/projects
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/earthships-sustainable-architecture
https://ifdesign.com/en/brands-creatives/company/architects-uncharted/12267
https://2018floraexpo.tw/