OWS Basic Info

Daily OWS News

Photobucket

Photobucket

We are....
~ firefly-dreaming
a virtual home to learn (or teach!) alternative methods of solving problems we find facing us each day. By sharing ideas & knowledge on living with less stress, more joy & embracing tolerance & compassion we are working towards building a sustainable future for all living beings.

please if you can...
help us glow brightly!

~OR~ if you'd prefer

Payment Options
Remember, you can always

Facebook

advertisement

Do it DAILY!
Photobucket
Just a few seconds of your time can make a BIG difference
in someone's life....


PhotobucketPhotobucket

be sure to click on ALL the top tabs at Click2Give!
Photobucket

be sure to click on ALL the side tabs at Care2!
Photobucket

Photobucket

Fight World Hunger






Brighter Planet's 350 Challenge

The Small Is Beautiful Manifesto

Photobucket

Greenpeace


I Support WWF


Join me at http://www.350.org

Earthships

  

by: Kathleen

Thu Jul 22, 2010 at 09:26:20 AM EDT


(8am - promoted by RiaD)

Have you heard of the Earthship movement??

earthship in Taos Pictures, Images and Photos

"The Earthship concept is the brainchild of Michael Reynolds, who has written several books on the topic. Near Taos New Mexico, where he has his Earthship Biotecture business, are whole communities of earthships. The basic earthship design incorporates substantially bermed, passive solar architecture. The primary retaining walls are constructed with used tires, filled with earth and stacked up like bricks. The interior surface of the tires is then plastered with adobe or cement so the tires don't normally show. Mike has also pioneered the use of empty aluminum cans mortared into lightweight, curvable walls. Earthships often employ many ecological concepts, such as water catchment from the roof, reuse of greywater, composting toilets, indoor gardening."

http://earthship.com/

http://www.greenhomebuilding.c...

http://www.dreamgreenhomes.com...

http://www.genrefluent.com/ear...

check out some of these homes below the fold......
Kathleen :: Earthships
Photobucket

Here is amazing link of pictures that when you click on them it takes you to a link about it:

http://www.google.com/images?q...

More.......

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

I love the use of bottles in the earth structure to let colorful light in.  Stain glass for free!!

Isn't this just the coolest!!

Tags: (All Tags)
Print Friendly View Send As Email

- You can use Disqus, Google, Twitter, Facebook, Yahoo or OpenID accounts to comment
Earthships | 19 comments
Earthship firefly collection (15.00 / 8)
here:
Photobucket

Bear Shake Tree Pictures, Images and Photos
It is (12.67 / 6)
the coolest!  :)

I love what I've seen so far Kathleen.  This is the way we really need to be moving.

I'm really looking forward to having more time so I can explore all the links better.

Thank you sis.  :)

I know Alma (14.50 / 6)
I feel the same way.  It is home and art rolled into one.  Just think of the freedom of design you would have.  Gone are the square, rectangle and sharp corners.

How fun is this?!

Photobucket

Bear Shake Tree Pictures, Images and Photos

[ Parent ]
amazing and wonderful! (13.67 / 6)
the colored bottle walls are spectacular!

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. ~ Thoreau ... and, do no harm
What an interesting post, Kathleen! Thanks for sharing it with us. (14.33 / 6)
The earthship home idea is an interesting idea, and these homes are fabulous-looking, but here are some questions:

A)  I notice that these homes are located farthur out in the suburban/rural areas, and not in any urban areas.  Can these kinds of homes be built in urban areas, in the form of apartment complexes, condos, etc.?  Just curious.

B)  How would these kinds of homes hold  up in really horrific natural disasters, such as floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc.?  Again, I'm just curious.

Wouldn't it be cool if whole cities and towns could consist of earthship residences, businesses, etc. that ran on solar or wind energy, and  do you think that's even remotely possible?  

What do you say, Kathleen?  Just curious.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Really good questions Miki (14.67 / 6)
Most of them are in Taos New Mexico and I read that they were battling for a change in building codes, so most of them probably don't meet the codes. Most codes are written with  wood and steel structures in mind, tried and true construction, this building concept is a whole new ball game.

I don't think they would meet the requirements for earthquake resistance, but also don't think that is an issue there like it is here in Washington and along the west coast.  Also I don't think they would hold up to hurricanes or tornadoes but again not an issue there. Building codes are different everywhere depending on the concerns of the area.

Rural areas around the country are more lax about building codes it doesn't mean they don't have the rules they just don't have the man power to enforce them, yet they could still force a person to tear down a structure if they put their mind to it.

I love your idea of a community and condos but I am sure they would have to be ground floor condos with no upstairs, unless they incorporated some serious structural timbers or steel.  It would take some serious engineering.

None the less I find this concept FUN and innovative.

Bear Shake Tree Pictures, Images and Photos

[ Parent ]
Thanks for your quick reply to my questions, Kathleen, and for your compliments. (15.00 / 5)
Somehow, I had the feeling, that, as cool a concept as it is, would probably not hold up in most parts of the country, where there are tornadoes, hurricanes (and heaven knows, we get quite afew around here), super-heavy rainstorms or blizzards, or other natural disasters.  and that they're built out in more rural areas that are farther out.  Well, so much for that idea, I guess.  Oh, well, at least it was one to be explored.  Since Taos, NM, is battling a building codes change, it sounds like they'll be in for some rough and tough times too, no?  

I guess this concept wouldn't hold up in urban areas, but green roofs would.  The Children's Museum, down by Boston's waterfront, down on Congress Street, has a green roof on it, so maybe there's a glimmer of hope there.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[ Parent ]
Yet what would work (14.00 / 4)
is building into the side of a hill you could have a 360 degree view and protection.  Underground homes would be the easiest to protect against the five major catastrophes:
Earthquakes, Wild Fires, Extreme Weather(tornadoes - hail - very deep snow - lighting), Super Volcano Winter and EMP/Solar Flares.  Same as for underground homes but that is for hobbits not in my DNA to live underground but wouldn't mind have them for neighbors...:o)  

Bear Shake Tree Pictures, Images and Photos
[ Parent ]
Well......I don't know, Kathleen. (15.00 / 3)
After all is said and done, I'll take the home and location where I'm presently residing...and love, and I'm glad for what I've got.  Living off the land is much harder than living in the city, in many respects...not anxious to try it, and I love my bicycles, my car, my house, my studio and career, my African Grey Parrot, Aziza, having good health, having my own place, and having hot and cold running water, electricity, my TV, my stereo, a vacuum, and a kitchen and stove to cook on and eat in, not to mention having my A/C and fan in the summertime.   Oh, and I also like having a fuel-efficient car that I know won't break down in some god-forsaken place somewhere out of being too unreliable.

Sound like a spoiled brat?  Maybe, but that's me.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[ Parent ]
No Miki (13.60 / 5)
not a spoiled brat, I call it smart choices for you.  I am not sure I could do it either to be honest but it is sure fun to look at what people are doing to check out of the system to free themselves from having to pay large corporations and to use less resources.

I love design and art as I know you do so for me it is a treat to look at how they are so innovative, not building shacks with out-houses but using technology, stuff thrown away, creativity and passion to be off grid.  I admire them.

Bear Shake Tree Pictures, Images and Photos

[ Parent ]
Thanks again, Kathleen. (13.75 / 4)
Everybody needs to do what's right for them, and what's right for one person may not be the right choice for another person.  It's agreed that it is interesting to see what other people have tried doing, either successfully or not so successfully.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.
[ Parent ]
Yeah, Miki: I too love city life (15.00 / 4)
but also love to see alternatives that certainly wouldn't work for us, but are really cool for those who can accomplish them.

My friend R. is a big fan of the TV show "Little House on the Prairie" -- FSM knows why -- and having read the whole series as a kid, I remember one sod house they had: built, as Kathleen says, into the side of a hill, with grass growing on its "roof."  No electricity back then & there, so a few windows looking out: but terrific insulation against summer heat & winter cold.

The TV show never really talks about that house, but the whole book was set in it (IIRC, the particular volume was Little House on Plum Creek) and it obviously made an impression if I remember it all these decades later!

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White  

[ Parent ]
yup (15.00 / 3)
great book! made an impression on me too
(^.^)

"Indeed, if a poor man will spend a year in prison for stealing out of hunger,
how high would the gallows need to be to hang the rich man?"
~The Patrician in 'Snuff' by Terry Pratchett


[ Parent ]
Do you remember (8.00 / 2)
the scene when the girls went wading & got leeches all over their legs?

In retrospect, it's ROFLMAO...but in fact I was wading in a lake in Maine & saw leeches swimming around my legs.  You better believe I got out of that lake in a hurry!

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White  

[ Parent ]
"Little House on the Prairie" (15.00 / 4)
Yup--I vaguely remember that particular book.  

As for a house on the side of the hill, with grass growing on the roof, and no electricity, it sounds rather similar to an igloo, all built out of snow bricks, which, for some reason, provides similar insulation against the elements of extreme weather.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[ Parent ]
article on HuffPo (11.00 / 6)
today about living off the grid.  The slideshow features Mike Reynolds, and the author of the piece has written a book called "Off The Grid" that sounds really interesting.
That is the (15.00 / 5)
goal, off grid but I also love his ideas of using what society throws away.  Wouldn't it be nice to get to a place where you didn't need money to live?

Thanks for the link now I am going to go read it.

Bear Shake Tree Pictures, Images and Photos

[ Parent ]
Great link!! (13.00 / 7)
I loved that "Your either on the bus or off the bus"  !!!

It is happening as far as the imagination can take them, did you see this in the comments?  I just warmed my heart.....

  rainbowgranny1  said on 22 Thursday 2010 pm31 1:31 pm:
My partner and I, both women over 55, have been building a house out of recycled materials for the last 5 years. We are nearly finished and are now making solar panels from parts we bought off of eBay and a wind turbine from PVC pipe. Our only source of heat is a wood stove. We are growing an organic garden and will make a pop-bottle green house this fall to extend our growing season. We have a dozen chickens who provide us with eggs and 4 goats for milk and to keep the brush down. Our off-grid system will produce enough free energy to power a fridge with freezer, lights, computers, office equipment, water pump an TV. We have a full bath, complete with soap and toothbrushes. To those who commented that off-grid types look dirty or crazy, I've got news for you -- I have a JD and my partner is an RN. We lived the rat race lifestyle -- now we are living our bliss. What is the definition of crazy? Is it living life to go to work for someone else to make money to buy plastic crap or living a life where the work you do directly produces your food and shelter? You can have the rat race. I'll take my bliss filled life any day! Here is a blog about our house -- http://www.builtfromtrash.com

Now I am going to check out her link.


Bear Shake Tree Pictures, Images and Photos

[ Parent ]
fantastic, Kathleen! (14.20 / 5)
a great comment, and just like you said, a great link!  

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. ~ Thoreau ... and, do no harm
[ Parent ]
Earthships | 19 comments

advertisement

Photobucket



Since February 19, 2010


Need HELP setting up your website or blog? Have a site & want to give it more oomph?
Contact Edger at: edger10 {at} gmail {dot} com
Menu

If you would like to join us
you'll need an account
Please Click Here
to make one

Username:

Password:



Forget your username or password?

Song of the...

~♥~


Updated Twice Daily
5 am & 5pm



Follow DreamerFirefly on Twitter

Active Users
Currently 0 user(s) logged on.



Search




Advanced Search
advertisement

moon phases
CURRENT MOON

Links to Enjoy

In The Spotlight

~Plutocracy Files~

Radical Radio
~Left-Wing Radio Stations~

~Political Discontent Radio~

Brilliant Blogs
~Antemedius
~Be-Think
~Burning the Midnight Oil
~Cabaretic
~Daily Kos
~DocuDharma
~The Dream Antilles
~dubious ventures
~Ethicurean
~fake consultant
~Firedoglake
~Hecate
~Ignoring Asia
~La Vida Locavore
~Lets Japan
~Margaret & Helen
~Minimalist Photography
~The Minimalist Woman
~Muskegon Critic
~My Left Wing
~New Progressive Alliance
~Original Cin's
~patricjuillet
~Pioneer Woman Cooks!
~Right of Assembly
~The Stars Hollow Gazette
~Street Prophets
~Timbuk3
~White Knuckles
~Wild Wild Left
~Wise Living Journal
~

~Fun Finds

~Good Places

~Interesting~

~Spiritual Sites

~Ready Resources

~Weather


Powered by: SoapBlox