What is the Earthship Community & Earthship Biotecture

An Earthship is a type of passive solar house that is made of both natural and upcycled materials such as earth-packed tires, pioneered by architect Michael Reynolds.

The Earthship architecture concept began to take shape in the 1970s. The architect Michael Reynolds wanted to create a home that would do three things: first, it would utilize sustainable architecture, and material indigenous to the local area or recycled materials wherever possible; second, the homes would rely on natural energy sources and be independent from the "grid"; thirdly, it would be feasible for a person with no specialized construction skills to build. Eventually, Reynolds's vision was transformed into the common U-shaped earth-filled tire homes seen today.

An Earthship addresses six principles or human needs:

• Reduce and even eliminate your utility bills.
• Get ALL of your electricity from the sun and the wind.
• Catch water from the sky for drinking, bathing, cleaning, showering, washing, flushing, etc.
• Contain and treat ALL of the sewage you produce in a healthy and beautiful way.
• Maintain comfortable temperatures in your building ALL year long, in any climate. Reduce or even eliminate your heating and cooling bills
• Some internal food production capability

Visitors Center

Arrive at any time during business hours and you will be greeted by one of our friendly staff members.  The self-guided tour through this gallery-style Education Facility allows you to experience a fully-functioning Earthship that combines passive solar architecture, thermal mass construction, renewable energy, integrated water systems that include indoor food growing, and the use of natural and recycled materials.

We recommend you allow about an hour to see everything; there are media rooms and a gallery with exhibits, as well as outdoor pathways so you can get a better look at the ongoing construction projects.  As you walk through the building and the surrounding outdoor area at your own pace, signs, displays, information binders, videos, and slideshows will educate you on different aspects of the Earthship concept.  Please note that the Visitor’s Center is an Earthship designed to educate the public and is not set up as a fully-furnished home.

Guided Tours

Summer hours are Memorial thru Labor Day, everyday, from 9am -5pm.
Fall/Winter/Spring hours are Labor Day thru Memorial Day, everyday, from 10am - 4pm.  Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.