Convento São Francisco de Mértola
Earthship inspired concept
In October 2009 the Convento organisation and an international group of artists, advisors and builders started the build of a small pilot U module Earthship.The first in Portugal and will be open to the public as a visitors centre with educational and artistic purposes.
2010 Workshops 'How to build an earthship'
Pictures of the October 2009 workshop 'How to build an Earthship'
What are Earthships?
Earthships are fully sustainable structures that re-use materials in their construction. A visionary architect, Mike Reynolds, has worked on designing and building earthships for the past 30 years. There are six aspects of an earthship and these give it such high eco credentials:
• The earthship house is constructed using a large amount of materials considered to be waste i.e. tyres, bottles and cans.
• It is a passive design which means no energy is needed to heat or cool it.
• Energy is generated on site using solar panels and wind turbines so that no mains connections are necessary.
• Rainwater is harvested off the roof and provides all the water needed in the house.
• Sewage is treated on site so that no link to the main sewage system is necessary
• Space is provided in the greenhouse corridor to increase the sufficiency of the occupants by providing a really productive food growing area all year round.
Mike designed an earthship for Normandy, France, which was built by Mike’s US Crew and the Trott family. Kevan Trott went on to project manage the first earthship in Zwolle, Holland and one in Glasgow Scotland developing the expertise of a crew who are European. Kevan and Gillian Trott are now evolving the design and making it more appropriate for a European climate, incorporating different features, materials and ways of working. The name they are giving to this design is an earthbuild.
Websites:
Earthships Europe
Facilitators workshop Kevan and Gillian Trott - European Associate of Earthship Biotecture.
Michael Reynolds
The architect and creator of the Earthship Concept.
Earthship Portugal
A social network site with many pictures of the 2009 workshop and discussions on Earthship inspired building.
