Design and Sustainability_Earthships

DEB 100 - Design and Sustainability Gretchen Comb ECHO TUT 5 Shayne Beaver Mini Saresh

CASE STUDY REPORT

Lisa Piquemal lisa.piquemal@gmail.com

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Introduction

In

today’s

contemporary world, sustainability is

one

of the

most primordial

preoccupations for designers and architects, searching for the best eco-friendly constructions or green buildings with the use of high technologies and suitable materials. The Ironbank earthship by Martin Freney is an alternative sustainable habitat by the unfamiliar use of earth and waste materials such as cans, tires and glass bottles.

Built in Adelaide, Australia, the concept was first introduced by Mike Reynold in Taos, Mexico, which “[inspire]s green designers and architects” (Welch 2012, 77). As a future architect, this example appeals to me because I have a keen interest in rammed earth construction related in my previous works and the combination of reused materials is quite noticeable. The construction of earthships is a light green perspective because it is a personal choice and responsibility towards sustainability.

This case study report will afford three different aspects of sustainable design defined

by Thorpes in the Atlas of sustainability - the major reference used - as “Theories and practices for design that cultivate ecologic, economic and cultural conditions that will support human well-being indefinitely”. The analysis of the ecology, economy and culture will mention strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of earthships design. Three subjects of each of these aspects would also be provided which are Material, Structure Concentration, Nonprofit economy and Nature as Culture ensuring a better understanding of earthships and its potentials regarding sustainability. Finally, the Appendix 6 will resume the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of earthships.

Earthships are composed by an organic design that provides ecological strategies which enhance the capacities of materials used by structure and concentration ensuring the regulation of the internal temperature.

Firstly, a glazing facade produces a greenhouse system which captures the sunlight in winter and diffuses it more effectively (Renewable Energy 1996, 156). Also, the glazing angle with the addition of a “blind, indoor planting” avoids the increase of heat during summer allowing some shadows (Renewable Energy. Op. cit. 156). This is relevant because the structure’s components - glass and vegetal - and the orientation manage heat changes by integrating and modifying solar emissions’ intensity. Nevertheless, the heating through glass were too powerful at first (Architect promotes self-sustaining…

1997).

Similar effects as glazing are notable with earthen thick walls. It is actually

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Ecology – Material Structure and Concentration

practical because it evacuates the day’s heat at night during winter and it remains cool during the day in summer as reported Welch (2012, 79) (see Appendix 1). This means that the material’s attributes like convection are taking into consideration to regulate temperatures constantly as seen in Appendix 2.

Moreover, earth is a raw and

sustainable resource abundantly available. Another particularity of the earthship’s structure is walls made of used tires. Like earth, it is used similarly as natural resource which works as a “thermal battery” as said Hutson (2005, 30-31). This is relevant in structure and concentration because tire is a waste material that is uncommonly reused for a better quality illustrating the upcycling effect (Thorpes 2007, 42-43). Likewise, rainwater is being collected from the roof and stocked in a cistern then treated for different reuses such as shower, sink, toilets as referred Bobbette (2005, 29). It is lastly reused to nourish plants. “Everything is reused, transformed, or gives birth to something else as it dies.” (ibid.31 ) It is evocative to upcycling in which matter and energy “never disappear, they just change forms” (Thorpes 2007, 40-41). This is primordial to conceive design with this natural cycling perspective to save energies while reusing it.

Eventually, solar panels can provide electricity and there is a water-catching roof, which are more expensive but effective solutions to empower earthships in long term.

However, a few customers had to fix leaking damages, water filters and solar batteries regularly (Architect promotes self-sustaining… 1997), so, this is an issue because this dispositive need to be maintained which means that it is costing money and time consuming after construction.

The system of earthships embodies the concept of structure and concentration which is an opportunity to use and reuse natural and non-natural resources ensuring bioclimatic and sustainable strategies for the sake of the ecology.

The construction of earthships is the primary idea of Mike Reynolds which has expended all over the world throughout nonprofit associations like Ironbank - this is an important aspect of economy ensuring the promotion of an unusual sustainable design.

Affording an earthship is as modest as a conventional house with the difference that you don’t pay any bill. There are still repairs to do regularly as referred previously but it doesn’t influence the cost (From earth, cans and tyres: Earthship Ironbank, 2012, under “What is an earthship?”). Subsequently, an earthship is a nonprofit structure for a good cause as its economic system is unlike the private sector as reported Thorpes (2007, Lisa Piquemal

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Economy – Non-Profit

100). This approach is essential because it gives the opportunity for owners to manage its self-sufficient consumption which is sustainable. Lastly, earthship construction is handmade and techniques are developed for amateur contains Welch (2012, 78) enabling the engagement of the owner and local population through workshops as shown in Appendix 3 in which volunteers teach class. It shows that the concept of earthships is also sharing constructive practices that are characteristics to the nonprofit sector favoring the transmission of knowledge and skills as stated Thorpes (2007, 100).

Nonetheless, methods used in this nonprofit organization meet difficulties towards taws that inhibit the development of earthships and its sustainable strategies. For example, the ironbank earthship’s structure necessitated to be approved by the National Construction Code of Australia. However, the wastewater system was not accepted (From earth, cans and tyres: Earthship Ironbank, 2012, para 3). This demonstrates that earthships are not yet normalized in building construction but progressively. This differs from a region to another as can be seen in the UK where designers expect a change of policy in the direction of developing more earthships as disputed Smith (2003). It is a central aspect of the government’s influence on construction of earthships for the sake of its proliferation.

To review, the building process of earthships requires to be normalized for the sake of giving opportunities to non-profit associations to extend the concept ensuring the promotion of its self-sufficient and sustainable strengths in retreat to the profit-making growth. .

Nature is a fundamental element of culture in earthships ensuring a better apprehension of sustainability.

Firstly, earthships aim at focusing about our relationship with nature as culture because it permits our psychological and physical self-development (Thorpes 2007, 170).

According to Bobbette (2005, 22) this connection with nature is enhanced by the nonstandard structure which lacks cellar, basement and concrete replaced by earth, making a whole. This means that the dominance of the material and its design change our perception of spaces ensuring a better proximity with nature. However, living in an earthship despite its poor materiality doesn’t signify privation; on the contrary it ameliorates life conditions of inhabitants and future generations. Earthships as Public…

(Sandlin, Jennifer 2010, 172) in parallel, nature plays a principal role for the mental Lisa Piquemal

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Culture as Nature

health. The ecologic choice of materials in earthships has consequently a positive impact on people’s vitality for long term by opening our vision of our own luxury and needs. Regarding nature as culture, builders consider the importance of the ecoliteracy defined by the way of describing a solid understanding of the ecosphere (Thorpes 2007, 172) while designing earthships. For instance, Reynold’s first earthship is located in the Mexican desert that deals with an extreme climate because temperatures reach 40° C maximum and - 100°C minimum. Earthships as Public… (Sandlin, Jennifer 2010, 172).

Mike has achieved a similar approach in Adelaide which has different characteristics so he used timber that has to prevent bushfire (From earth, cans and tyres: Earthship Ironbank, 2012, under Other building changes). We can compare the design of these adaptive earthships in Appendix 5. As a result the regulation system of earthships overcomes the site’s conditions by the knowledge of the local implementation ensuring the adaptation to nature as part of culture.

To resume, earthships embody the comprehension of nature as culture included in its structure which is successful for the mental and physical health of the inhabitants in a sustainable manner.

Despite its non-standard looking, Earthships are “down-to-earth” projects that respond to sustainable design following Thorpe’s topics: material structure and concentration, non-profit system and nature as culture. Earthships are firstly bioclimatic throughout its self-efficiency allowing the regulation of heat. Thus, the structure is ecologic by the use of natural resources to empower the house and it brings to light the potentials of reused materials in order to value these resources and improve energies in an up-cycling process, without neglecting an aesthetic dimension and the use of high technologies.

Furthermore, earthships follow a non-profit approach by engaging experts and the public into construction for the sake of sharing the concept, practical skills then improve it. It also gives independence towards the global economy and consumerism since earthships are self-sufficient. Thus, the transfer of knowledge allows small communities to build their own earthships and progressively mediatize its sustainable design over the world. As the construction is generally empiric, some technical problems that need maintenance can occur but it remains ecologic and economic considering the cost of a conventional house. However, the structure needs to be approved and normalized from one country to another because the quantity and the quality of materials used are Lisa Piquemal

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Conclusion

restricted. There is a need to change policies ensuring the integration of earthships at a larger scale as well as a renewed attention to sustainable alternatives using natural energies and waste material. It is important to tolerate earthships for the sake of promoting it and inspiring people. Then, structural strategies result in a connection with nature by a better understanding of the local properties called ecoliteracy. This is the reason why there are different adaptations of earthships depending on the location.

Consequently, we can build it anywhere even in extreme climates.

In my viewpoint, opinions diverge about earthships because of its buried and minimal aspect that reminds primitive ways of living contrary to standard luxury. Although, the design piques curiosity since we experienced spaces especially if we are involved in the construction. Earthships

change the openness concerning comfort, nature and

consumption. The principles of earthships speak to me because they are sustainable but mainly thanks to the relationships you can build with the natural environment ensuring a total independence and “control� of it in a comprehensive way.

To conclude, earthships cover sustainable ecological, economic and cultural attributes comprising the consideration of the evolving potentials of natural, artificial and reused resources, the site’s characteristics for better adaptations and well-being, a formative approach of constructions while facilitating its popularity and acceptance towards building regulations through non-profit communities. All of these participate to the improvement of lifestyle and sustainability eco-responsibility but particularly a new openness.

Word count: 1807

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Appendices

Appendix 1

Grindley P.C., Hutchinson M. (1996). The thermal behaviours of an earthship. Cranfield University, Bedforshire.

Appendix 2

Amzi, S. (2011). Natural convection cooling an Earthship. . Retrieved in June 4, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthship

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Appendices

Appendix 3

Earthship Ironbank. (2015). Earthship Workshops – April 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2016, from http://www.earthshipironbank.com.au/workshops-april-2015.html Appendix 4

Earthship Ironbank awaits the final touches. (2016). Retrieved June 4, 2016, from https://radio.adelaide.edu.au/earthship-ironbank-awaits-the-final-touches/ Appendix 5

Earthship, Taps, Mexico. (2016). Retrieved June 4, 2016, from http://www.forbes.com/pictures/ekkl45gld/earthship-taos-new-mexico/ Lisa Piquemal

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Appendices

Ecology

Economy

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

Material Structure

A different vision

Up cycling

Need of

and Concentration

of luxury?

Self-sufficiency

maintenance

Affordability and

Risk of over-

Heat regulation

abundance of natural

heating and

(bioclimatic)

and reused materials

leaking

Non-profit

Need to be more

Transfer and

Structure not

Low cost and

mediatized

improvement of

always accepted

skills

in (local) building

sustainable

codes

Culture

Connection with

Non-standard

International

nature

aesthetic ?

adaptation

Ecoliteracy

Self-sufficiency

Healthy living

Openness

Eco responsability

Appendix 6

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Reference List

Bobbette, Adam. 2005. "Earthship Space.” Master diss. Mc Gill University.

Hutson, Luke. 2005. "Earthship enterprise." Materials World: 30-31.

Klingbeil, A. 2015, “Take a tour of 'a funky off-grid house'; Province's first official earthship a radically sustainable dwelling with all the home comforts.” The Vancouver Sun: 6.

Mischz Hewitt, Kevin Telper. 2010. “Earthships as Public Pedagogy and Agents of Change" in Handbook of public pedagogy : education and learning beyond schooling, edited by Sandlin, Jennifer A. Schultz, Brian D. Burdick, Jake, 171-178. Taylor and Francis.

Sharpe, T. 2000. “Controversy over green hero.” Architectural Record 188 (6): 36.

Holzka, K. 1998. “Earthship Talks Continue.” Albuquerque Journal.7.

Smith, N. 2003. “The Earthship's next enterprise.” Sunday Times. 43..

Tansey, J. 2013. “Married couple gave up jobs to build Earthship.” Near Golden Star. 3.

Thorpe, Ann. 2007. The designer’s atlas of sustainability. Island Press.

Welch, Bryan. 2012. “Earthships the power of unconventional ideas”. Mother Earth News: 78-80.

Architect promotes self-sustaining Earthships: homes built with tires, bottles, cans, dirt [Michael Reynolds]. 1997. Daily Commercial News and Construction Record. May.

Renewable Energy. May/August 1996. Special Issue World Renewable Energy Congress Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and the Environment. Volume 8, Issues 1-4.

From earth, cans and tyres: Earthship Ironbank. ReNew magazine. Retrieved June 3, 2016, from http://www.earthshipironbank.com.au/workshops.html

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Earthship Weekend Workshops. Earthship Ironbank. Retrieved June 3, 2016, from http://renew.org.au/articles/earthship-ironbank/

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