Michael Reynolds (3)

Even though I’ll never build another house, I picked this book up out of the free pile at the library because I’ve long been fascinated by alternative building techniques and architecture. The Earthship system uses old tires filled with packed earth for walls, frequently with the building backed into a hill for even more insulation. This volume, though, doesn’t really give the details of doing this. It tells about updates in structural techniques and water systems, as well as building a thermal mass refrigerator, a solar toilet, solar oven, and doing a temporary structure. So, good if you’ve got the first two books. I do love the way the structures look once the tires are hidden, with their thick walls, arched doors and windows, and lots of plants inside. It would be interesting to see if the buildings have stood the test of time.… (meer)