For those who wonder what all we cover...
Free Chapters and Research Links are in blue.
Free Chapters and Research Links are in blue.
Introduction
Background and Methodology
Our Earthship Survey
The Earthship Reality Project
The Mythos
The Mythos
The Myth of “The
Most Economical Building Design in the World... (which will) cost about the
same as a conventional non-sustainable home…”
The Myth of “A
Radically Sustainable Home Made of Recycled and Natural Materials…”
The Myth of
Earthships and Recycling
The Myth of “The
Most Efficient, Easy to Build Construction Method on the Planet”
The Myth of
Build-Out Time
The Myth of “Will Perform as Expected in Any Part of the World, in Any Climate” or, Reality Check: There is no such thing as a Global Model
The Myth of “Will Perform as Expected in Any Part of the World, in Any Climate” or, Reality Check: There is no such thing as a Global Model
The Myth of “Will
Provide You with What You Need to Survive…”
The Myth of Thermal
Comfort
The Myth of
Performance: Known Issues in Earthships Worldwide
The Myth of Custom
Design
The Myth of
Education
The Myth of Getting
it Built by People who are Willing to Pay
The Myth of “A
Higher Resale Value.”
The Myth of Awesome
Community
“Just the Facts, Ma’am”
Issues with the
Data
The Tire Issue
The Earthship at
the End of its Life
Earthship Life
Cycle Cost Assessment
Earthships are not
for Everybody
Motivation: Why we have to do something MORE
Motivation: Why we have to do something MORE
The Science: Academic Research and
Tire Off-gassing
Academic Research
on Earthship Performance
Earthship
Biotectures: Experimental Subdivision in Taos, New Mexico: The Greater World Earthship Community
Research
Conclusions
A Way Forward
Earthship .:
Reinventing
Home Design with
YOU in Mind
Sustainable Home
Working towards a
Better Definition of Sustainability
Cost Effective
Sustainable Features
From Vision to
Reality
Where You Live Now
Wish List
Setting a Vision
Idea Book
Site Diagram
Where is the
Money? How to Afford to Pay Cash for
Your Home
Mortgage Financing
Tools to Facilitate
Financing
Creative Funding
Solutions
Pick the Right
Materials
Homeowners Bill of
Rights
Tax Incentives for
Green Design
Budgeting for a
Contractor
Deciding Factors
Planning a Build
Regulatory Forces
–The Code
Design
The Building’s
Context and Site
Land Uses
The Best Design of
All: At the Intersection of Two Ecosystems
Choosing a
Building Site
Geography
Topography and
Climate
Working with
Microclimates
General Site
Design Criteria
Landscaping
Outdoor Living
Fire-Wise Design
Vernacular Design
Principals
North Pacific
Vernacular Zone
Rocky Mountain
Vernacular Zone
Southwest
Vernacular Zone
Great Plains /
Prairie Vernacular Zone
Lakes Vernacular
Zone
Northeast
Vernacular Zone
Southeast Mountain
Vernacular Zone
Southeast Coastal
Vernacular Zone
Passive Solar
Design
Ultra-Tight
Construction
Other Ways of
Staying Cool
Other Ways of
Staying Warm
Thermal Mass
versus Insulation
Thermal Mass for
Heating
Thermal Mass for
Cooling
Earth-Coupling and
Earth-Sheltering
Natural
Ventilation Strategies and Indoor Air Quality
Other Means of
Ventilation
Earthship
Ventilation Issues
Earthship Cooling
Tubes and Alternatives
Indoor Air Quality
Thermal and
Moisture Protection
Roof Thermal
Performance Improvements
Framing for
Thermal Performance
Thermal Bridging
Choosing
Insulation
Earthship-Specific
Thermal and Moisture Protection Issues
Acoustics - Sound
Insulation
The Structural
System
Foundations
Rubble Trench
Foundations
Floor Structures
Framing
The Enclosure
System
Secrets of Great
Curb Appeal
Walls
Natural versus
Sustainable Materials
Insulating Versus
Thermal Mass Building Materials
Strawbale vs. Cob
Traditional
Earthship Building Blocks
Tire Walls
Earthship
Greenhouse
Can Walls
Other Types of
Walls
Soil Factors for
Rammed Earth, Adobe, Cob, and Earthbag Construction
Expansion and
Control Joints
Adobe
Cob
Rammed Earth
Wood Block
Concrete Forms
Wood and Log
Construction
Timber frame
Log Buildings
Cordwood
Strawbale
Stone
Concrete
Roofing
Earthship Roofing
Considerations
Roof Structure
Roofing Types
Doors and Windows
Doors
Windows
Rooms, Spaces,
Colors, & Textures
Create an
Efficient Floorplan
Starting Small
Easy Spaces
What about All My
Stuff?
Living Simply with
Less
Other Interior
Considerations
Entrance
Courtyards
Hallways &
Hidden Hallways
Living Room
Dining Rooms
Great Room
Kitchens and Baths
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Bedrooms
Second Floors and
Lofts
Storage
Laundry Room
Garage
Root Cellar
Details of Design
Universal Design
Finishes
Glues
Paints and stains
Wall Coverings
Floor Coverings
Mechanical Systems
Mechanical Heating
and Cooling
Mechanical Rooms
Mechanical Heating
Fireplaces and
Stoves
Mechanical Cooling
& Air Conditioning
Typical Earthship
Mechanical Systems
Electrical Systems
Lighting
Power
The Art and
Science of Outlets and Switching
Appliances
Plumbing
Water Flow
Water Heaters
Waste Management
Rainwater
Harvesting and Collection
Greywater
Maximizing
Efficiency in Water Use
Final Notes on
Mechanical Systems
Imbuing Space with
Spirit
What is Happy,
Anyway?
Your Core Desired
Feelings
Locating “Power
Spots"
Creating Sacred
Spaces
Vaastu & Feng
Shui
Vaastu
Feng Shui
Conclusion: A New
Set of Earth-shelter Building Criteria
Overwhelmed? Need
Help?
Hiring an
Architect or Designer
Stages of Design
APPENDICES
New Home Design Worksheet
Site Design Checklist
Participate!
Suggested Reading
Earthships around the World
Site Design Checklist
Participate!
Suggested Reading
Earthships around the World
Index
About the Author
