Comments on: ‘Earthships’ and sustainable housing

By: Gleno

Gleno — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:45:04 +0000

The major obstacle to building responsible housing is local government’s iron control over what constitutes and acceptable dwelling. Building covenants applied to contemporary urban development mandate a style of construction, specific materials, geometric placement, enforced mandatory use of costly services which an earthship does not require etc. etc. which in NO-WAY attempt to create an environmentally sustainable, eco friendly dwelling.
I am not advocating Currumbin Valley eco village development as an acceptable residential alternative to contemparary homes. I think they are ugly and uncomfortable but the principles of off grid living should be applied without proscriptive bureaucratic objection to every new home, if that is the constructors choice.
Building sustainablity initiatives like the BASIX standard in NSW are a joke. BASIX is nothing more than a politically expedient way to appear to be doing the right thing while protecting the materials supply chain to the building industry including the finance sector.
Modern earthship homes can be built very cost effectively and look visually beautiful in any setting if people are allowed to build them.

By: Louise

Louise — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 03:15:01 +0000

Ouch Amanda! Yes, of course I agree that the cost of building an eco-friendly home does not outweigh the saving environmentally. I am lamenting the accessibility of this product. We need environmental solutions to be effective and cost efficient for mainstream use.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:09:25 +0000

The extra cost in setup that makes it comparable to a ‘normal’ house is probably in part due to the solarpannels and filtration system that is intergrated into the house, and also probably the labour. How the building is styled is completley up to the owner (if you build your own) and the owners imagination (or lack there of). If you don’t understand the point of building an eco home (even given that is cost is the same as a conventional one) that recycles materials in its use and recycles water and is off the grid so there is no energy use, then you are obviously have your head burried in the sand and have no comprehension of the future we face if we are continue on this wasteful, earth destroying, consumerism driven path.

By: Mum

Mum — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:55:43 +0000

I did not like the acrhitecture.

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:16:03 +0000

I took a look at the website, and the dwellings were absolutely hideous! Like something out of mad max. It takes my breath away that to make such a monstrosity costs the same as a regular house… I’m all for sustainable eco living, but honestly, it would physically hurt me to have to come home to that every day! Yurts on the other hand… works of art.

By: Ethel (Mrs)

Ethel (Mrs) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:31:07 +0000

You took the words right out of my mouth. There is not point in building a building that cost the same as a conventional building.