Samuel Weight

I had a lot in Indianola, UT but ran into a lot of roadblocks in attempting to develop it. So I sold that. I am now looking in Cochise County, AZ. Building permit opt-out gives an opportunity to use all kinds of alternative building materials and techniques, and they encourage rainwater catchment.

    Earthships typically have metal roofs to collect rainwater with loads of EPS insulation under them. This is a sketch and the retaining wall thickness is not set yet. In my dreams the greenhouse side wall is 2-3 foot thick rammed earth for maximum thermal mass. The cooling tubes and berm would be 40 feet long and 5 feet deep so they don't need to be insulated on the top. The pitch of the roof would still be angled to match the winter solstice for maximum solar gain. I am not yet convinced that there is a need for the glass to not be vertical.

Good point I will have to check code on egress to see if a hatch out the roof would count.

Here are a few image files.

The latest version is attached now with some basic layers added. This is a SketchUp file; I saved it in Sketchup 2017 format (the oldest they offer online) so you should be able to open it with any newer version of SketchUp without a problem. You can use their app online for free using a google account at app.sketchup.com or download the 'SketchUp Viewer' app for mobile devices.

The latest version; I think I am ready to speak to an engineer.

whats the issue with tyres?
No way I can get a permit to build with tires in Utah (thinking of leaving).

What would stop big critters living in the tubes?
I am thinking a hinged grate or possibly a hinged cover and automated air baffel. I like automation.

Would gravel foundations work better than concrete?
Rock has good thermal mass, but the equation really only calls for mass.

Have any diagrams or pictures please?
Attached a sketchup file of my current draft (still a work in progress). If you have sketchup, or sketchup viewer on your phone you should be able to view / edit it.

Trying to figure out how to build an earthship to code, and thinking about using 4' culverts as "window wells"/cooling tubes for the bedrooms. The foundation will be concrete with a sufficient mass of earth insulated behind it as tires simply could not be used. The culverts would be run horizontal for about 20 feet, and burried well below the frost line. Airflow could then be controlled by simply adjusting the window opening on the house end of the tube. Any feedback on this idea?