Security is a Myth. It denies change. It is just not true, and that is reality.

Inner south side pyramid. 

After being here for a week and a half, I find it challenging to find a starting point. Over the last nine months I have spent my time reading Mike Reynolds’ books, studying the website, watching documentaries and video footage, as well as learning about the legal mechanisms he has pushed for to create an executive order for fast track permitting of truly carbon zero housing. From reading about basic principles of rammed earth thermal mass dwellings to the Sustainable Development Testing Site Act New Mexico: HB0269, way on down to the Copenhagen Climate Conference, I have been doing my homework thinking it would prepare me for what lied in store for me in the Greater World.

Inside pyramid looking down from loft.

I had a rude awakening. From the classic “U” structure explicitly described in the first two Earthship books, with their gravity skylights and simple design and systems, these houses, philosophically, were created to take care of people, be accessible to everyone, and address our ecological situation. What was the situation way back when? We started noticing deforestation, the increased cost of timber, and the threat to woodland species. Does anyone remember the spotted owl? Weyerhaeuser? This was later, but you get the point. Then humanity started noticing the sheer amount of waste, garbage, bottles and cans. Think images of dumps. It was all over the news. During this time Mike had recently graduated from Architecture school (or was just about to) and started putting things together: how do you build homes if there isn’t wood, and there’s a shit ton of trash we need to find something to do with? Is there a solution? Could these things fit together?

Dynasphere (wind generator) of the Grand-Daddy Earthship.

There is a philosophy - an ideology that drives the concept of a home that one lives with, versus living in. It is called Biotecture. Biotecture offers the greatest autonomy and radical self-reliance that is realistically attainable while still participating in a cash economy. It is beautiful. Over the last forty-some years, Mike has navigated through some straight-up challenging times, coming up against “no” over and over again, to some enchanted visionary times. He is like any other creative genius, he has his process, and back in the day he was out here on the Mesa when no one was out here. There weren’t young, willing bodies working next to him as he started experimenting with building and systems. He was out here by himself (more or less), strapping himself up to the dynasphere during a full moon and praying. We all have our way; I know I have mine. Mike has seen hardship; he’s been knocked down and has picked himself up after each blow.

Mike's first pyramid. Master Builder.

The exploration Reynolds has been doing is hands down, stinking radical. I can’t imagine it being more radical. His relentless perseverance has made him the leader in living off the grid for over 40 years. He and his teams over the years have made mistakes, many of them, and have tried many options, all the brands. These guys know their shit. This is a way to live a free life; autonomy, anarchy in a way. Have you noticed the symbol for the Earthship Biotecture Academy? It’s a tire with a sledgehammer, shovel and level in the shape of an anarchy symbol. It’s a way to own your day. Freedom.

With the mistakes, with the learning, and doing things outside the system, there has been some dogmatic repercussions: lawsuits. The man is running a business, growing a business, paying employees, buying land, making payments, paying the man and doing relief projects. It all takes money. I’m noticing the change from the original ideology of access to Earthships for all, to Earthships to folks who can afford $350,000 with excessive systems to back up a conventional lifestyle. 

The market wants the whimsical, curvaceous and aesthetic of an Earthship, along with the feel-good systems – perhaps as an ego boost. Oh yeah, I have some cisterns, am off the grid blah blah blah . . . But then continue to live with their TVs, hair dryers, dryers, 30 appliances and all the amenities you’d have in a conventional home, along with all the back-ups just in case you have a cloudy day or five. 

The circumference of living a Biotecture lifestyle requires you shrink your twelve inch circle down to four to five inches. Live more conservatively with less. Live with what you really truly can’t live without and take impeccable care of your systems.  This is not the reality of what’s happening in the market with Earthships, and the price is indicative of that. (Call me judgmental, but I’m sticking to it; it’s one of my personality traits.)

Freaky Friday. Ibel Cruz and I after a full day of building. (G.W.)

As of the most recent relief project in Haiti, Reynolds and Earthship staff fell in love with the Simple Survival model they built. It was constructed in 14 days for between $7-10,000 (depending on who you talk with). It was an a-ha moment for many. Mike realizes they have moved so far away from where they started and with this new S-Model, they’ve rekindled a return to their roots. The last academy built one in the Greater World so we could assess it and give Mike our feedback. It looks like the plan for the next academy will build a souped-up S-Model, incorporating our feedback. It’s enough to make me want to stay to help create something that I would like to see, build, and live in – and that would be affordable to someone like myself.