Earthships are integrated living systems where shelter, power, water, and waste systems are built into the regular functions of the house.

Shelter, in its most basic sense, is protection from the unpredictable and often brutal forces of nature. Setting up a tarp against a bolder constitutes as shelter, and a pretty effective one in a pinch.

There are so many factors when considering what to build and how. The location of the building site is crucial, and will make many of your decisions for you. Preparing your site for building is the next step, and extra care should be taken with the foundation. Then, given that structural stability is non negotiable, it depends on how much time, energy and money you have, and in what proportions. After that, what do you need or want? A simple structure, a house, a bathroom, a wall? Anything is possible. But bear in mind, the more you can anticipate a problem, the easier it is to avoid. Do as much research as you can.

Enjoy. There’s nothing quite like building your own home.

Site Location
Preparing The Site
Adobe
Rockwork
Ferro-cement

Additional Resources:

• Green Home Building - Complete home building systems
• GreenBuilder - sustainable sources 
• Earthships - An integrated system with the gardens built into the home
• US Green Building Council - News and information about the green building industry

Check out the SHELTER section of the STORE for our personal book recommendations.