Homes Reimagined by Nadia Kamrath
My green eyes dart out the window of our white mini van. Storm clouds seem to be following us as the six hour drive drags on forever. The silent state of New Mexico swirls around us. Somewhere in the mountains, lightning strikes, lighting up the vast space around us. People seem nonexistent and the only other living beings we see are horses and cattle, roaming the endless plains.
That's when I see it or when I see them. They look like space ships, scattered in the emptiness. Only they aren't filled with aliens, they're filled with people. These are the Earthships. They are off the grid, with foundations made from glass bottles and used tires. More importantly someone calls them home.
We pulled into a dome shaped garage and walked into the breathtaking space. For a second I saw the future right in front of me. It was wonderful. We were visiting family friends we have known for years. They teach Kundalini yoga to thousands of people all around the world, but this is the place they call home.
When we entered the house, I was mesmerized. On the southern side of the house, the outer walls are made of all glass, positioned at a slant, so that when sunlight hits the windows, heat is pulled into the house. This makes the outer hallway a greenhouse, warmed by the Taos sunshine and filled with fruits and veggies. In the summer, when the sun is strong and the days long and hot, there are doors leading into the main rooms in the house which can be closed off to keep the heat out. In the dark and cold winters, the doors are open to let the heat in. This is it! The entire heating system. To cool the house in the summer, holes are dug into the earth from the rooms’ side walls; these can be opened to let a stream of cool air inside. The bedrooms are cozy and beautiful with walls made from stained, packed dirt. I never would have imagined a house that was off the grid could be this amazing. This makes me wonder why all houses are not the same.
The creator of these structures is a man who has a deep passion for saving the world. He builds houses that rely on almost nothing that is external and yet they still succeed. He’s now working to take these designs all over the world, especially places that have suffered natural disasters. Seeing these houses makes me think that this could be our future. Why not?
The building collects rainwater to use as the water source. The water they've already used for cleaning dishes or showering isn’t discarded. Instead, it is used in their toilets or for feeding the plants. Imagine not even have to go anywhere to get your food. These greenhouses can grow fruits and veggies all year round. Our friends were growing corn, lots of greens, herbs and much more. An entire family of four can live off of the food that one of these homes can grow.
If we all had homes like this, imagine how much the world would change. No need for fossil fuels, all the pesticides, or dams on rivers. The way we are living now certainly is not going to last, but if we change before our planet is harmed beyond repair, we may have a chance. Staying in one of these houses really opened my eyes to what is possible.
If you are interested in learning more, I encourage you to watch the film “Garbage Warriors.” It shows what one person’s passion and dedication can do to change the world.
