Earthships in Europe
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
On 28 February 2012, BRE published Earthships in Europe (EP 102) (second edition) written by Mischa Hewitt and Kevin Telfer.
This 184-page book provides a detailed description and evaluation of ‘earthships’, an American architectural concept pioneered in the New Mexico desert. Earthships suggest that people can be both more financially free and more socially responsible.
The main purpose of the book is to assess whether the translation of earthships to a European setting has been successful. It includes case studies of people who have built earthships in France, Spain and Britain and a round-up of other projects. It also includes analysis of detailed monitoring of an earthship. This analysis is used to make a series of design recommendations to help make earthships more effective in different climatic conditions.
The book concludes by predicting the likely future of earthships in Europe - whether they will become a model for large-scale low-carbon housing or remain the preserve of a few self-builders.
Its contents includes:
- Preface.
- Introduction.
- What is an Earthship?
- Construction methods.
- Building with waste.
- Renewable energy and power systems.
- Water.
- European builds.
- Passive solar design and monitored thermal performance.
- Conclusion: the future of earthships in Europe.
- Appendix 1. Earthship Brighton sensor summary.
- References.
- Index.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- 100 Sustainable Scottish Buildings.
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz.
- BREEAM.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Carbon ratings for buildings.
- Cob building.
- Code for sustainable homes.
- Do green buildings pay?
- Earth building.
- Home quality mark.
- Sustainability.
- Sustainable building.
- Zero Bills Home.
- Zero carbon homes.
- Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.
Featured articles and news
The Buildings of the Malting Industry. Book review.
Conserving places with climate resilience in mind.
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.