Autonomous Buidlings: Going Green in Construction
An autonomous building is a building designed to be operated independently from infrastructural support services such as the electric power grid, gas grid, municipal water systems, sewage treatment systems, storm drains, communication services, and in some cases, public roads.
Advocates of autonomous building describe numerous advantages that extend beyond just independence from public utilities. They highlight reduced environmental impacts, increased security, and lower costs of ownership. These benefits align with the principles of green building, emphasizing sustainability and resource efficiency.
Off-grid buildings often rely very little on civil services, making them safer and more comfortable during civil disasters or military attacks. For instance, off-grid buildings would not lose power or water if public supplies were compromised, providing a level of resilience and self-sufficiency that is increasingly valued in today's uncertain world.
Advantages of Autonomous buildings
As architects and engineers become increasingly aware of the drawbacks of transportation networks and reliance on distant resources, their designs are evolving to incorporate more autonomous elements. This historical pursuit of autonomy has primarily focused on securing sources of heat, power, water, and food. However, a parallel path has emerged from concerns about environmental impacts, leading to further exploration of the advantages of autonomy.
Autonomous buildings have the potential to enhance security and reduce environmental impacts by utilizing on-site resources that would otherwise go to waste, such as sunlight and rain. By bypassing the inefficiencies of collecting and transporting resources, autonomy significantly decreases the costs and impacts of servicing building networks. Moreover, thoughtful designs can effectively conserve impacted resources, such as oil reserves and the local watershed, at a low cost.
One of the key benefits of autonomous buildings is their energy and cost efficiency, as they typically have reduced energy needs. However, to avoid diminishing returns from extreme conservation, these buildings may employ alternative energy production or other techniques. While not every autonomous structure is inherently environmentally friendly, the goal of independence from support systems is closely associated with, though not identical to, other environmentally responsible green building goals.
Nevertheless, autonomous buildings generally incorporate some degree of sustainability through the use of renewable energy and other resources, ensuring that they produce no more greenhouse gases than they consume. By providing these additional details, we can gain a deeper understanding of the significance and potential of autonomous building designs.
Inside Earthships
What precisely is an Earthship?
An Earthship is an architectural style conceived by Michael Reynolds in the late 20th to early 21st century. These innovative structures are passive solar earth shelters, utilizing natural and upcycled materials like earth-packed tires. Despite extreme desert temperatures, Earthships maintain a comfortable indoor climate around 70 °F (21 °C), thanks to their resilient design. Originally established near the Rio Grande in northern New Mexico, Earthship communities now exist in various pockets worldwide, often overcoming legal obstacles.
Reynolds, an architect who settled in New Mexico and obtained his degree, developed the Earthship design as self-sufficient homes, minimizing reliance on public utilities and fossil fuels. By harnessing natural resources like solar energy and rainwater, these dwellings showcase thermal mass construction and natural cross-ventilation to regulate interior temperature. With intentionally uncomplicated, single-story designs, even those with limited building experience can construct them. Earthships embody the vision of independent housing and sustainable living.
How can I have an Earthship built for me?
We are currently in the process of diligently searching for the ideal company to collaborate with on our Earthship projects. Your patience is greatly appreciated during this time.
Please feel free to leave us a message below, and rest assured that as soon as we have secured the perfect partner, we will promptly reach out to you. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
What we stand for
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