The Earthship “SIMPLE SURVIVAL APP” is a digital archive* designed to assist owner-builders and Earthship enthusiasts in researching and planning to build an Earthship on your own. (*It does not function like a traditional app, and we are always refining and learning how to use this platform better.) There are three economical models to choose from. Within the app sub-sections you can access construction drawings, materials lists, videos and more! This is our effort to help make self-sufficient housing available to everyone!
Send us pictures if you build one!
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please, if the links in the app are giving you an error message, WAIT FOR THE UPDATE. The app will show a pop-up window which will ask you to update, confirm “yes,” and the pages will all load correctly.
If you are having any issues, please email emily@earthship.com and we will walk you through the steps. Thanks!
EARTHSHIP HQ is building an ENCOUNTER EARTHSHIP and a SIMPLE SURVIVAL EARTHSHIP at our campus in the Greater World Community in Taos, New Mexico:
Daily videos of the build available below, plans and drawings available on the app!
OUTLINE OF SIMPLE SURVIVAL EARTHSHIP APP
All categories are updated on a regular basis with more information and drawings. Just click when you are notified of updates. They are free. New content is bold in following outline.
READ ME
A letter from Michael Reynolds about how to navigate the Simple Survival Earthship app.
Updates and headlines happen here first! Our app is a work in progress. New content, revisions and updates posted regularly. For now we are featuring three economical earthship models, with all relevant information to help you build you own! Each subsection has floor plans, construction drawings, CAD drawings, systems, cost-of-build spreadsheet, material lists and a photo gallery.
ENCOUNTER
An economy model scalable for a single person to a small family dwelling. Completely self-contained and off-grid
• UPDATE (1/29/20)- As we built the Encounter version 1.0 here in Taos, we learned some things and created an alternate floor plan.. thus creating the E2! We will be adding these options to a new section under the Encounter tab.
• FLOOR PLANS– Encounter 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom, 3 bedroom with a concrete variation. COMING SOON- 1 bedroom and studio!
• Full downloadable sets of construction drawings for each floor plan option. All designs can use simple survival mechanical systems or full-on deluxe Global model off-grid systems. Also any design can be hooked up to any and all utility grids. The structural designs of all these buildings is permit worthy but guidance in obtaining permits is suggested.
DAILY VIDEOS posted daily by Mike Reynolds as we build a new Encounter Earthship at our headquarters in Taos, New Mexico!
The Simple Survival Earthship App has the construction drawings that follow these videos:
Encounter Earthship Playlist
THE ENCOUNTER- ALL SEASONS 2 BEDROOM
29 downloadable pages- including a set of full color 11 x 17” permit-able drawings with step-by-step CAD illustrations showing the different phases of the build
THE ENCOUNTER- ALL SEASONS 3 BEDROOM
8 downloadable pages of full color 11 x 17” permit-able drawings
THE ENCOUNTER- ALL SEASONS 3 BEDROOM- (CONCRETE VARIATION)
A no-tire set of construction drawings for areas where only concrete foundations are permitted by local regulations. 8 downloadable pages of full color 11 x 17” permit-able drawings
THE ENCOUNTER- ALL SEASONS 1 BEDROOM and STUDIO MODELS COMING SOON!
COSTS and MATERIALS
Downloadable itemized spreadsheet showing cost breakdown of materials and labor.
PHOTOS
Gallery of photos from building process to end product. Look at variations of the Encounter from different builds around the world.
SIMPLE SURVIVAL
Our foundation model. Basic systems with a two roof options to fit your climate and aesthetic preference
• FLOOR PLANS– Simple survival all seasons studio, 1 or 2 bedroom, and 2 bed 2 bath floor plans with variations for a wood (viga or truss) roof or a concrete (vault) roof, depending on your climate.
• (CONCRETE) SIMPLE SURVIVAL ALL SEASONS- STUDIO- 22 downloadable pages of construction drawings – 11×17 in color – works for one to three rooms
• (WOOD) SIMPLE SURVIVAL ALL SEASONS- STUDIO- Smallest version of winter-climate design – 10 downloadable pages of construction drawings – 11×17 in color
• (WOOD) SIMPLE SURVIVAL ALL SEASONS- 1 BEDROOM- 11 pages of downloadable construction drawings – 11×17 in color
• (WOOD) SIMPLE SURVIVAL ALL SEASONS- 2 BEDROOM- 14 downloadable pages of construction drawings – 11×17 in color
• (WOOD) SIMPLE SURVIVAL (TRUSS VARIATION) ALL SEASONS 2 BED/2 BATH – This is an all weather design with unique bathroom layout – very simple to build with truss roof. Truss roof structure is good where big timbers (vigas) are not available.
• SYSTEMS- Explanations and presentations of the simple survival Earthship systems; such as how to build your own well pump, outlaw septic explained, and a walkthrough of other simple survival systems through short informational videos. These are UNIVERSAL to all Earthships and can be implemented and scaled to any size model.
• COSTS and MATERIALS- Downloadable itemized spreadsheet showing cost breakdown of materials and labor.
• PHOTOS- Gallery of photos from building process to end product. Look at variations of Simple Survival Earthships from different builds around the world.
The Simple Survival Earthship App has the construction drawings that follow these videos:
Simple Survival Playlist
TROPICAL
For wet-weather and extreme heat/humidity/wind
These models are designed to withstand tropical storms, hurricanes and earthquakes
• FLOOR PLANS– Tropical Seismic/Hurricane resistant villa or Zero Cost hut.
• TROPICAL SEISMIC/HURRICANE RESISTANT – A ferrous cement dome/villa design – easy to replicate for larger home – 4 downloadable construction drawings – 11×17 in color
• ZERO COST HUT DESIGN- (Puerto Rico model) Our smallest and most economical shelter we have at this time – 15 downloadable pages of construction drawings – 11×17 in color
• COSTS and MATERIALS- Downloadable itemized spreadsheet showing cost breakdown of materials and labor.
• PHOTOS- Gallery of photos from building process to end product. Look at variations of Tropical style earthships from different builds around the world.
THINKING
The philosophy behind the Earthship concept
• KIDSVIEW- An eighteen plate cartoon presentation of the concepts that the Earthship was founded on – great for kids and schools
• CONCEPTS/RATIONALE– How the Earthship idea was born
• EARTHSHIP VILLAGE ECONOMIES (E.V.E)– The historical background behind an Earthship village concept. Why this is a solution for many of the world’s housing and environmental problems.
• TERMINOLOGY- in English & Spanish
• EARTHSHIP GLOBAL- A link to our website
• MICHAEL REYNOLD’S THOUGHTS- Candid writings from the man himself
• “A COMING OF WIZARDS”- An Ebook with FULL COLOR downloadable graphics of Mike’s original illustrations
Look for the new set of construction drawings and CAD views on the Encounter Earthship in the Simple Survival Earthship App – Includes 29 drawings on how to build the Encounter Model Earthship