I salute this survey of the experimental and the innovative, of ‘first adopters’ and adventurers who inform the wider world with their exploits. They are the heroes of the construction world and this book is a fitting tribute.
Kevin McCloud, television presenter and architectural writer

It's now the logical response to what we're facing with climate change and resource depletion.
Mike Reynolds, inventor of earthships

 

Earthships are not whacky, 'way-out' or extremist buildings from the lunatic fringe. They should not be regarded as the domain of hippies, sock and sandal wearing folk, assorted eco-nuts and survivalists.

Co-written with the project manager of Earthship Brighton, Mischa Hewitt, this book explains both what earthships are and why they are important. Sutherland Lyall, writing in AJ Specification, claimed that earthships hold ‘important lessons for the design of sustainable architecture in general’. They provide a focus for looking at many of the most significant issues there are in terms of resource use, renewable energy, sustainable construction and housing. This book explores all these themes and others in detail.

The earthship is a building concept created in New Mexico by American Mike Reynolds which has evolved over the last 30 years. This book charts the building of the first earthships in the UK and looks at how they are relevant to the wider challenges faced by home building and architecture in the UK, and arguably by society in general.

Earthships: building a zero carbon future for homes is published by IHS BRE press and is available to buy from their bookshop.

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