Fleet of Earthships Lands in Brighton
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 02.23.06
Earthships started in Taos, New Mexico-"self contained dwellings that will sail on the seas of tomorrow". Built from indigenous materials and problematic items like old tires and bottles, they are so energy efficient that they have no utility bills. Now developer Biotecture is proposing a 16 home development in Brighton that will use up 15,000 old tires, collect their own water and be powered by solar panels and wind turbines. "A successful development in Brighton could pave the way for dozens of Earthship colonies around the UK. It's a very powerful, iconic building concept that has the potential to revolutionise the way we live." says Biotecture's Daren Howarth. Elegant high density solutions they are not, but Brighton has always attracted unusual architecture ::Biotecture via ::Guardian.
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A book that I found very helpful is "The Natural House: A Complete Guide to Healthy, Energy-Efficient, Environmental Homes". I found it in the local public library.
This book goes into many different types of environmental housing, including Earthships and, perhaps more interestingly, Earthship derivatives. This is the book that let me know that the use of Earthship-style technology didn't have to look like mounds of dirt with windows stuck in them.
Do you want a more typical looking house with siding, etc, but also using Earthship-style technology? Then check out this book; you'll be pleased.
I'm a builder whanting to become an eco-builder and need a project to get involved in or some guidence.?