The community of buildings is called Earthship Biotecture. This unique community in Taos, New Mexico has 70 buildings (aka Earthship) and the number is still growing. Being environmentally-friendly, the structures are made of alternative building materials, such as adobe mud.
Who started all this?
Architect Michael Reynolds built his first house in Taos, New Mexico in 1972 out of can bricks. After many years of experimentation with alternative building materials and off-grid system, Michael went on to build the first Earthship in 1988.
It is warm and cool inside the buildings.
Earthships have no auxiliary heating. The earth berm stabilizes the temperature of the building. The building works in any climate, remaining cool even on summer months. The living space of an Earthship stays an average of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) all year long.
How Earthship generate power?
Earthships are completely off-grid. This means that there are no pipes or wires going in or out of the buildings. The building design includes collecting energy from the sun with photovoltaic solar panels and wind-powered generators and store them in batteries placed on the roof.
Using cans and bottles?
Cans and bottles provide a way to form light, strong walls of any shape.
Where is water coming from?
Water is harvested from the roof. It is directed towards cisterns buried in the berm. Fresh water is filtered for drinking and used in the sink and shower. Water used once in the sink and shower becomes gray water. The gray water gravity feeds the plants. The water is pumped back to the toilets where it is then flushed out to a conventional septic tank. Liquid overflow from the septic feeds the plants growing in the outdoor planter cells. Note: All restrooms in the Earthship Biotecture have low-flush toilets.
When I visited Earthship Biotecture, there were ongoing constructions for more Earthships in the area. Some buildings were off limits to visitors. But here is one good thing: You can rent an Earthship home and enjoy an eco-stay in this amazing green building.
You must make a reservation to rent: Call this number 575-751-0462 or email reception@earthship.com. Reservations accept Visa, Master Card, AMEX and Discover.
The rental price for one bedroom with one bath in a building like the photo below is about $200 a night. You will have your own growing food!
If you want the entire house that can accommodate 6 people, the rate is $390 per night or $2180 per week. Holidays may have higher rates.
The beautiful mountain backdrop adds more effects to the already amazing Earthship environment.
How to visit the Earthship Biotecture.
If you are traveling using a GPS, input the physical address below, and the GPS will take you there.
Summer hours are Memorial thru Labor Day: 9am -5pm
Fall/Winter/Spring hours are Labor Day thru Memorial Day: 10am – 4pm
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Visitor Center: (+1) 575-613-4409 or visit visitorcenter@earthship.com
Physical Address: #2 Earthship Way, Tres Piedras, NM, 87577
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1041, Taos, NM 87571
Entrance fees.
For the self-guided tours: $7.00 plus tax. Discounts available for students, teachers, current military and veterans, and seniors. Children under 12 get in free. Ask the friendly staff members at the Visitor’s Center for the guided tours.
Ready to travel to Earthship Biotecture? Find your way.
See also: My other travel adventures.
Note: Thank you to the Earthship Biotecture staff who answered my questions and provided more info.
