Earthships were viewed as an
oddity at its inception. Who would build
homes using discarded steel-belted radials, pop cans, and bottles? Now, they are considered as visionary. Due to sillyness on my part, my last trip to
Taos did not include a visit to the Earthships.
I regretted this enough to plan a second trip to New Mexico. I book a night in the Phoenix, a colourful
Gaudiesque structure that brightens the landscape—partially, as half of it is
recessed into the earth for insulation.
The other faces the sun. Heaters
are absent, as are air conditioners. The
earth-filled tires absorb and radiate heat, providing temperature equilibrium
within the Earthship walls. A greenhouse
is integral to the design, providing warmth and fresh air. All this is put to test during my visit. May 2014 in southwestern USA included a foot
of snow. Not frigid, but I would have preferred an extra blanket.
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