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
Plastic, recycling and its symbol
Student competition winning, M.C.Esher inspired Möbius strip design symbolising continuity within a finite entity.
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.