Going off the grid doesn't have to mean going back to basics. More and more people are trading traditional homes and hefty household bills for energy-efficient Earthships.
Growing in popularity since the 1970s, these distinctive eco homes are built from upcycled materials packed with mud, or set into the ground – hence their name. Step inside and explore these remarkable houses, designed for living off the land...
Built from eco building materials, Earthships offer comfortable and cosy living spaces, without relying on public utilities, such as gas.
Instead, they're completely self-sufficient, producing their own electricity and heating, thanks to solar panels or wind turbines. Owners can also grow their own food in indoor greenhouses, while managing sustainable rainwater harvesting and sewage systems, too.
Earthships are built from salvaged waste that can easily be sourced – glass bottles, aluminium cans, old car tyres and reclaimed timber are all key to the construction process. In many Earthships, you'll find hundreds, if not thousands of tyres, packed with dirt to create rammed-earth bricks.
Proving natural insulation, tyres are also regularly discarded after use. In fact, Earthship Biotecture suggests that at least 2.5 billion are currently stockpiled in the United States, with 2.5 million more discarded every year.
Recycled bottles are also a huge feature and allow natural light to flow inside the structures, creating a beautiful mosaic of glowing coloured glass.
Architect Michael Reynolds created the first Earthship in the 1970s. Listening to news stories about mounting rubbish piles and the lack of affordable housing, he realised that by combining the two issues, both could be tackled head-on.
He set up Earthship Biotecture, which is now the world's pioneering company in homes of this kind. If you want an Earthship, you can buy plans for homes, seek building advice and even attend the company's eco-construction school.
Earthships don't require central heating or air-conditioning, so the resources they do need are kept to a minimum. The structures generate their own energy with the use of solar panels, which provide clean electricity for 30 years, while also helping to minimise global warming.
As well as solar energy, Earthships generate electricity through wind power. Combined, they create enough energy to charge the batteries within the building's power module, which provides clean energy for household usage.
Functioning totally off the grid, Earthships harvest their own water. Rainwater is captured on the roof, filtered and then gravity-fed into the building for consumption and usage.
The water harvested is used four times within an Earthship home – firstly for washing, bathing and laundry, with the waste put to use to water an indoor garden. It's then pumped to the toilets for flushing and finally recirculated to water an outdoor garden.
Earthships regulate their internal temperature continually, ensuring living spaces are comfortable for inhabitants all year round.
The building's position is very important, with the glazing facing the right direction so that the sun's rays can enter and heat the walls, which are built with tyres for insulation. Now let's look at some amazing real Earthships around the world...
The Greater World Community in Taos, New Mexico, was the first Earthship community in the world and now boasts more than 70 awesome off-grid homes.
With some of the properties available to rent out on Airbnb, the community also has an academy for students and hosts self-guided tours, so others can learn about the community and its eco structures. Let's take a tour of some of the homes you can find here...
Described by realtor Stephen Jewett as “one of the most beautiful Earthships ever built”, this particular property represents the pinnacle in efficiency and comfort, even decades after being built.
Known as The Euro, the house was built by licensed contractors and is now the basis of Earthship Biotecture's Global Model – one of several Earthship designs that buyers can choose from, according to their budget and location.
The home lies in the heart of the Greater World Community in Taos and comes with almost two acres of land.
The exterior rammed earth tyre walls are two feet thick for amazing insulation and soundproofing, while the back of the house is earth-bermed, meaning it is partially submerged below the ground.
Inside, there's 2,000 square feet of space, including an open-plan living room, dining area and kitchen, located right next to the 75-foot-long indoor greenhouse – which has inclined dual pane glass to ensure the space can produce fruits and vegetables all year round.
In fact, the garden boasts lemon and fig trees, bananas, blueberries, herbs, various vegetables and even a coffee plant.
As with all Earthships, the pad is entirely off-the-grid, with passive solar heating, a roof water catchment system, Lithium Ion batteries for storing solar power and an operational grey water system.
The pad also boasts three bedrooms and two full baths. Plus, every room is overflowing with lovely details. Thick bottle walls disperse colourful light across the entire living room, while white glass bottles adorn the primary bedroom and bathroom.
The home's hand-trowelled natural adobe walls add to its charm, while some surfaces have been finished with eco, VOC paint. The house was on the market with Jewett and Jewett in May 2024, priced at £566,700 ($725k).
Completed in 2018, The Vallecitos by Earthship Biotecture is a state-of-the-art, off-grid building with all the fixtures of a conventional house.
The refined exterior mixes angular modern lines with sustainable construction methods, creating a unique property that is partly buried in a hillside.
One of the most evolved designs yet, The Vallecitos lies in the Greater World Earthship Community and is filled with light thanks to the swathes of windows, which provide picturesque views across the rural desert community.
They also serve a more practical purpose, drawing plenty of sunshine into the greenhouse that runs the entire length of the 2,700-square-foot building.
The walls are designed to trap heat in the winter and to keep the living spaces cool during the summer.
As well as this smart thermal design, 40% of the building was made using recycled materials, including glass bottles that provide extra heat from the sun, which is especially helpful in the winter.
Rainwater and melted snow are filtered and piped into the sinks, which then go on to water the greenhouse plants. After that, it's used to flush the toilets and is finally redirected outside to treat the garden. You'd never guess from this cute little bathroom the intricate process that goes on behind the scenes.
The Vallecitos has two bedrooms, both with king-sized beds, as well as a kitchen, dining room and living room, all recently renovated to a high standard.
The Wi-Fi is powered using solar energy and the lucky owner can enjoy growing their own food inside, or in the 1,000-square-foot, food-producing garden – which comes with an aquaponic system that's perfect for self-sufficient living.
On the market in May 2024 with Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Taos Real Estate, the property was priced at £644,800 ($825k).
The Phoenix is the highest-priced rental space within the Earthship community and at 5,300 square feet, it's the biggest, too. With enough room for six people, it offers comfort and modern amenities in a sustainable structure.
Pictured from above, the incredible eco home can be seen in all its glory, from its dazzling array of solar panels to its unusual, circular walled garden.
Flanking the main structure, the home features a jungle-like greenhouse with its own microclimate, complete with banana trees, grapevines and wildlife – birds, turtles and fish have all found a home here.
There's even a dining space in the middle of the greenhouse so lucky residents can feast on homegrown meals amid nature.
The interior of The Phoenix is divided into two halves; the larger east wing comprises two king-sized bedrooms, the kitchen and living area, while the smaller west wing houses one large bedroom suite, a bathroom and a terrace.
The décor in the living spaces is quirky and characterful, with an airy open-plan layout that utilises plenty of recycled materials. In this bedroom, natural wood grains and glass bottles create an artistic slumber space, packed with unique textures.
Unusually, the bathrooms in this Earthship are located within the indoor garden, allowing guests to bathe among the tropical plants and trees.
The internal dividing wall is inset with pieces of coloured glass bottles, while filtered and heated rainwater is used to service the facilities sustainably.
The Phoenix isn't without its fair share of luxury touches, either. Visitors can enjoy a TV complete with Netflix, an unusual fireplace with a water fountain, an outdoor grill, a firepit and an outdoor living area.
Prices start at £188 ($240) per night or book The Phoenix for the entire week from as little as £954 ($1.2k).
Another bookable option is this Global model Earthship within the Greater World Community. Rentable via Airbnb, the property is ideal for two guests and benefits from a comfortable and cosy interior, with plenty of charming touches.
The ingenious home is both off-grid and luxurious, with solar power, water harvesting, an integrated greenhouse and expansive glazing that frames gorgeous mountain views.
Described by the owners as “the pinnacle of sustainable design and architectural beauty without sacrificing comfort”, the Earthship was built in 2013 from mostly recycled and natural materials.
As for spaces, there’s a living room, a dining space, a kitchen, one bedroom and a bathroom. Plus, every room is decorated with natural, exposed materials that add to its charm.
The indoor garden acts as a corridor and therefore, the bedroom and lounge enjoy lovely garden views.
Guests can utilise the garden whenever they like, cutting herbs or picking fruits to enjoy during their stay. And it isn't just The Greater World Community where you'll find awesome Earthships, either...
Considered Germany's first and only Earthship, this property is the heart of the eco-village community of Schloss Tempelhof, which was founded in 2010.
Located in Kreßberg, in Germany's Baden-Württemberg state, the community is said to be home to around 150 people, living in trailers and yurts, in search of a more sustainable and affordable way of life.
The Earthship was crafted as an experience, to show locals and visitors their numerous benefits. But it is also an important community hub, where residents of Schloss Tempelhof can go and enjoy access to a communal living room, kitchen and dining space, as well as numerous bathrooms and edible gardens.
The residents can then retreat to their own private trailer or yurt when it’s time for bed or some much-needed downtime.
The structure was built here in 2015 and measures 1,668 square feet. It was formed from tyres, glass bottles and other reclaimed and recycled materials. Like all Earthships, it is also entirely self-sufficient.
The property boasts rooftop solar panels, a rainwater collection system and indoor – and outdoor – gardens. This image, by Martin of Ecovillage Finder – a website dedicated to documenting sustainable lifestyles and eco-communities – showcases the home's fantastic greenhouse garden.
Impressively, thanks to the use of salvaged and easily-sourced materials, the project cost a total of €300,000, which equates to just £253,400 ($324k).
Despite being compact, the Earthship has certainly made a big impact on residents of Schloss Tempelhof and the community regularly runs guided tours, so keen eco-warriors can step inside and see the amazing property for themselves.
The first Earthship to be built in the UK, Earthship Brighton was developed with the assistance of Michael Reynolds and his team.
The local community centre was the Low Carbon Trust's first project and was built on a Soil Association-accredited site in Brighton, East Sussex.
Throughout the project, the focus was on spreading a positive message in the community, raising awareness of climate change and helping people to reduce their carbon footprint in their day-to-day lives, through the creation of greener homes.
Earthship Brighton embodies the five core elements of Earthship construction: it uses low-impact materials and a passive solar design, while running off renewable energy.
It can also harvest rainwater to recycle throughout the property and use wastewater to treat the indoor plants.
The building uses four renewable technologies to generate energy; photovoltaic panels, a wind turbine, solar thermal panels and a wood pellet stove.
All these sustainable extras mean that the Earthship is zero carbon, producing 100% renewable energy and, consequently, no utility bills.
Earthship Brighton also uses the sun to heat its interior. The walls are made from rammed car tyres and earth, which act as a storage heater.
The structure sits facing south, which maximises solar gains, while the angled glass across the façade draws sunlight inside in the winter and cleverly reflects the heat in the summer months.
Situated in a semi-rural location about 40 minutes from the bustling city of Adelaide in Australia, Earthship Ironbank is a quaint bed and breakfast that's bookable via Airbnb.
Led by Michael Reynolds, a team of 25 began building the property in 2009. But, after laying the initial 60 tyres, it took a further four years to get full planning permission to complete the project.
Completely self-sufficient, Australia’s first Earthship is designed for two people and features an open-plan layout with far-reaching views across the countryside beyond.
With a well-equipped kitchenette serviced by solar energy and a sustainable water supply, the space has everything you need to cook and prepare meals while living off the grid. There’s even a wood-fired oven – perfect for cooking pizzas.
Of course, the property also has its own indoor garden for growing produce. This wasn't without its challenges, however, as the greywater system designed by Earthship Biotecture is not permitted in South Australia.
An alternative water system was sourced and now the building features a wonderful array of indoor plants.
Despite being off-grid, this Earthship has all the modern conveniences of most conventional builds. With a comfy queen-size bed, Ironbank is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Used in many parts of the home, salvaged glass bottles add a beautiful decorative feature, as well as letting plenty of natural light flow into the building.
Unlike any Earthship you might have seen before, this property provides luxurious living spaces, unparalleled views and seriously impressive interior design.
On the market with Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties in May 2024, 156 Cerrito Colorado Road in Taos, New Mexico, had an asking price of £1.2 million ($1.5m) – and once you see inside, you'll understand why!
The pad can be found perched on a hillside in Taos, less than 20 miles away from the Greater World Community.
It was designed and crafted by Michael Reynolds and Peter Kolshorn, so benefits from all the usual Earthship suspects, plus a whole lot more to boot.
Expansive at 6,079 square feet, the grand residence might not look like it would be sustainable or self-sufficient, but it is! The main living space is beautifully light, with a double-height ceiling where the staircase leads up to the second floor.
Everywhere you look, you'll spot distinctive details, from natural log beams and timber posts to flagstone floors and bold light fixtures.
There’s also a state-of-the-art kitchen with an amazing Italian pizza oven. What’s more, the house benefits from a separate guest house, providing ample accommodation for visitors.
The lucky owner can indulge in ultimate relaxation, watching big Taos skies from their outdoor hot tub, while the external gazebo is the perfect spot for entertaining.
There are also four bedrooms and four bathrooms, all decorated uniquely. This cosy space features hand-shaped wall alcoves and rustic ceiling beams, while the master suite boasts a charming Kiva fireplace.
While the home can easily be switched off-grid, thanks to solar power and water catchment systems, it is also connected to mains electric power and benefits from Wi-Fi, making this home both eco and convenient.
Loved this? Take inspiration from more unusual homes and incredible architecture