Earthships: Michael Reynolds in Australia

Only just found out about this. Sorry for the late notice for Melbournians.

He's also talking in Bendigo (25th July) and Adelaide (27th July);

https://www.earthship.net/index.php?opti ... cle&id=546

https://www.stateofdesign.com.au/events/ ... l-reynolds

https://www.unisa.edu.au/news/2009/220709.asp

 

Re: Earthships: Michael Reynolds in Australia

G'day All

Went to the Bendigo lecture on Saturday. Took along a good friend who had absolutely no idea what she was in for . It was a real blast. Of course I'm very au fait with the Earthship concept, so no surprises for me. But what was so totally awesome was the look on my friend's face during Michael's talk - total rapture and delight! It was great to see so many 'new' faces turn up, as well as an opportunity to mix with those of a similar persuasion. Of course, I too was enthralled with Michael's story, and subsequently came away feeling rejuvenated and further inspired. Spotted my 'boss' (director of one of the departments I work across) down in the front row - can't wait to catch up with her and ask her what she thought :lol:.

If the Earthship concept is new to you, then you could do a lot worse than check it out. As permies, I'm sure you'll love it:

https://www.earthship.net/

Oh, and for those that are local to Central Vic, Bendigo Sustainability Group (BSG) will act as a point of contact for those of us who wish to keep up with what's happening in Australia concerning Earthships:

https://www.bendigosustainability.org.au/

Cheerio, M.

 

Re: Earthships: Michael Reynolds in Australia

I am pleased that everyone is being enthused by Michael Reynolds but there are several earthships in Australia that have been featured in various magazines including Ownerbuilder, GrassRoots, Small Farms, and Time and one has been featured on the TV show Ownerbuilder Australia. There are two in the Blue Mountains near Sydney and one in Tasmania. There is a workshop/office built near Armidale. Some of us have tried to MR out in the past I am glad somebody finally succeeded. I would have loved to have heard him but it is too far away for me.

 

Re: Earthships: Michael Reynolds in Australia

A bunch of Facebookers are planning for some Earthship builds.

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group ... all&ref=ts

 

Re: Earthships: Michael Reynolds in Australia

post apocalyptic houses right?

 

Re: Earthships: Michael Reynolds in Australia

spoke too soon, this video sums it up:

https://www.earthship.net/education/vide ... iples.html

when can i get one?

 

Re: Earthships: Michael Reynolds in Australia

Ha, that's what I first thought when I saw these.

Anyway - you make them. If anyone actually goes ahead with one I'll bet there will be more than enough volunteers around to help.

 

Re: Earthships: Michael Reynolds in Australia

really it wouldnt be that difficult to make a 'simplified' version, ie without all the water diversions and electricity collectors, i mean whats the verdict on solar panels anyway, is the energy used to make them ever going to justify their life use on a house, i mean im sure this has been asked before, last time i read about it the verdict was never! but its been a few years.

in addition to that their is also the water filters, they will need to be replaced eventually.

for me im into scavenging and i see this as part of the solution for me to own a ho,me in the next years, but i wouldnt be able to scavenge this advanced thing together, i could get tires im sure, bottles perhaps, earth more than likely, a tank i would pay for, the glass or plastic replacement of glass i would pay for, but the electrics, i can feel my empty wallet being pawned, i would be inclined to go a bit medieval, who needs lights at night anyway, and i dont care much for growing bananas in my living room either LOL.

 

Re: Earthships: Michael Reynolds in Australia

G'day abdullah

It's your life (and for that matter, 'earthship'), mate - make of it how you see fit. Just remember, that the 'earthship' model has been evolving for 40-years, so yeah, it's got to the point where all the essential elements of its design are, well, essential. I agree, too many 'new' bits on some of the examples I have seen, but that just means we have to look harder for 'old' bits to adapt/reuse. I'm with you, fancy lights don't appeal to me over, say beeswax candles. And PVs are just one renewable option, don't forget wind (it sure is blowing a gale today...), etc.

Cheerio, Mark.

 

Re: Earthships: Michael Reynolds in Australia

sweet, now i just need a little earth to land it on, i dare say it will fit in my rented units yard! anybody know of a few affordable acres in... well anywhere?

 

Re: Earthships: Michael Reynolds in Australia

What is it with Aussies and looking in their own back yard. There are several in Australia either built or still in construction, check the facebook site more closely. Australian examples have also appeared in magazines, (Grassroots, small farms, Time, Ownerbuilder) and TV (Ownerbuilder Australia).
The problem with volunteers is not getting them but accomodating them!!!!!!

 

Re: Earthships: Michael Reynolds in Australia

???

Not sure what you meant by this. Maybe you read too much into my post. Anyway - it's not my back yard I'm looking at, it's yours and I love it!

https://www.byohouse.com.au/forum4/viewt ... light=#468

BTW, I'm not far from you and look forward to meeting you one day if you have another open day. And I promise not to come after 8pm :wink:

Kind Regards

 

Re: Earthships: Michael Reynolds in Australia

G'day geoaussie

Re: https://www.byohouse.com.au/forum4/viewt ... light=#468

Why did you not design/build for maximum solar gain on the north side with an entire wall of glass?

Why did you not take full advantage of the slope and cut the south wall in level with the ground?

By the way, great pad!

Cheerio, Marko.

 

Re: Earthships: Michael Reynolds in Australia

The cottage was a learning exercise for us never having done any building before. The house faces north for maximum benefit from the sun for both power and water. We did not use a full glass wallas our environment in winter drops to minus ten degrees. Glass would have proved better solar heating but also major heat loss. The house was designed split level with full length windows in the roof to provide solar heating to rear half of the house. The cottage has proven to provide very good temperature regulation.

I am assuming by this you mean why did we not bury the back half into the hill. The main reason was cost of the waterproofing and drainage that would have been required. The back earth bank is the same height as the back walls of the buildings and provides protection to the building from the weather from the south as does the ridge of land to the west that provides protection of the site from westerly weather.

 

Re: Earthships: Michael Reynolds in Australia

G'day geoaussie

That's why an Earthship has double, or even triple skin (in extremely cold situations) to the north (in our part of the world). Oh, clerestory windows? Can't see any in the pics.

You mention (in the BYO house article/post) that you still have to heat in winter. I wonder if the extra cost of fully enclosing the back of the place into the bank (affording maximum thermal mass), and combining that with say full-fronted, double glazing, would have seen an eventual saving on energy costs over the longer term?

Either way, it's a great job.

Cheerio, Mark.

 

The Australian newspaper Weekend mag ran a story on the weekend about Mike and an earthship he is helping build in Kinglake (where the fires were in 2009). There's a photo gallery here.

Edit - hmmm looks like you need to register to get access to it....

 

Hardly.

These are homes built using recycled materials and basic sense. They provide all heating and cooling, power, septic disposal, grey water management, and food production. The earth needs more buildings like these and if you are having problems viewing some images try looking here: www.earthship.org

Personally, I wish more homes were built this way, stick (wood) construction is stupidly inefficient & should be halted world-wide.

 

.. and I thought I just wanted to build a haybale house ...

 

Hello Katherine, and what do you want to build now?

 

Here is another link to the story that might work: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/burning-ambition/story-e6frg8h6-1226259953431

It will be interesting to follow the build and see what it does for earthships in Australia. I showed my husband the website and we are definitely going to explore this option.