Today we’re going to visit the earth houses, which I find to be a very interesting concept. As we drove into the community, this is what we could see:
We went into the sales office/tour space to gather with our guide who led us off to show us some houses in progress. This project was started by Michael Reynolds – to learn more, just ask Google and she will offer lots of options for information.
All of the earth houses have a greenhouse front with double panel glass windows, and the water filtering system running beneath the soil – the plant roots act as a cleaning agent for the gray water, which can then be reused for irrigation and such. The foundation and some of the walls are old tires filled with dirt – a very practical method of using what would normally become landfill trash and material that provides excellent insulation. They also collect aluminum cans and bottles to set into concrete and, in the case of the bottles, provide some light.
They build a water collection system on the roof of the houses to collect rain water, with cisterns built into one wall for water storage. The construction of these houses make them readily sustainable, perfect for off-the-grid living. The idea is great, but I’m not sure I could live in one – I need more natural light than is generally available in all parts of the house.
After our tour, we drove back to Taos for lunch.
Delicious, in a charming little restaurant. Fully satiated, we toured a bit of Taos and then headed back home to relax for the rest of the day.
On another day, we visited Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return, which is described as a mind-bending, explorable art experience for people of all ages in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Featuring over 70 rooms of immersive art, House of Eternal Return takes participants on a macrocosmic adventure of seemingly endless possibilities.
I think that’s a visit to be shared on another day.
Wanderings of an Elusive Mind 
I love those types of houses!
Taos was one if the cities I was considering last year but it’s too expensive for me.
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It’s expensive and way too much desert.
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This and tiny houses…I like the idea, but I couldn’t do it. Lunch sure does look delicious.
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It was excellent
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Taos is really expensive. When I was in mortgages we’d see an earth house come across our desks once in awhile. We’d lend on them if we could get comps. They did see dark inside, bit cool too.
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Earth houses sound like a great idea for a hot climate, but as you say, they are a tad dark. There are houses built completely in the ground in some desert areas of Australia.
I agree with you that using tyres in a creative way is a great way to reduce landfill. I have seen them used to make retaining walls as well.
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Is there a link to the earth houses? Thanks!
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(Sorry I had to ask…was having trouble finding it through Google)
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No problem. You were probably having trouble because I was calling them earth houses, and they’re actually called earth ships. Here’s a link: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/earthships
and here’s another: https://www.earthshipglobal.com/home
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Thank you so much!!! I figured since I was recently living in NM, I’d check them out!
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Wow…now I just have to win the lottery!
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The good thing is once you have the house, your utility bills would be low.
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I have read about this place but never visited. I could do it but I think like most would need more light. But they are cool..
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That looks like a fabulous trip. Earth contact homes sound like a great idea for some parts of the country. I’d think it would have to have a lot of windows in the front to keep it from feeling like a cave!
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Howdy. House Of Eternal Return is a great name. I visited Santa Fe this year, and maybe would have checked that place out if I’d known about it.
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