So there is a home movement out there called Earth Ships. I don't own one..... yet and I may never have the courage to take these steps, but I think its worth everyone exploring this option and seeing what you can learn/take from these people.

http://www.earthship.net/web/

they call it biotecture and while it is a departure from the everyday, it is still a home or whatever you make of it.

I've looked at these before. I think its a wonderful approach to the home. It is a machine for living (of sorts) but with respect paid to the surrounds. An earth ship not only is an efficient structure for everyday living but also becomes an integral component of the natural landscape. I am not saying that everyone should build this way, but I do feel that some of the attitudes and approaches are important in the green movement.

I am supposed to go see one of these homes out in Arizona next month. Big day for me. The owner has agreed to give me a tour and I am definitely thinking of building one myself, that is if I can convince my "better half"

They look kind of cool but not something that the mainstream homebuyer would be that interested in. Seems more like a do it yourselfers dream home.

Supposedly they can help construct these homes anywhere in the world. I do wonder however if there is earthship applicability everywhere????

geo, I read that too. I wonder how much training is necessary for a local builder to do something this custom. I don't know if every local building code would allow for on-site waste processing either. I want one and I will tell you more once I get to see my first one.

Its really not like building an earthship is an alien process. Most builders can do it. Most builders can follow any set of plans and construct anything you need. I am assuming that the people they send to help build are not the only people on site. I assume they go out and find local subs that can handle certain aspects of the home building process.

The code issue is one that I face with even the most benign green features and renovations, so I can imagine that something like on-site waste processing and the possible lack of heating and cooling equipment could pose some big problems with local zoning commissions.

It seems to me that these are most applicable in warmer climates and for people with a sizable piece of land. The picture of the earthship with snow seems a bit out of character and may just have been a rare occasion.

I think you are somewhat right with that assessment, but I think the real benefits in the earthship are all the concepts. You can take some or leave some. Sure they are trying to sell a package deal, but you don't have to buy the whole thing, just borrow some concepts.

What is the resale value like on one of these homes? Do they appreciate like a standard built home, or do you gain your ROI in energy savings alone?

An earthship home appreciates and gains equity just like any other home. Sure it may be a bit slower in that there are fewer people in the market for such homes, but it must be understood that the people that are building and buying these homes have longer term perspectives than a 5-7 year in and out of a home. The real ROI is the energy and utility savings, but with a long term 15-25 year residence in a home like this, you end up well into the black financially in comparison to a standard home.

I wonder how hard it would be to become a "licensed" earthship builder. I saw things about their internship program, but the real benefit would be in providing their concept and services to others in my community.

Check out some videos on earthships

http://video.google.com/videosearch?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=earth+ships&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=OgFzSpzFKY_mlAe9kNTwCg&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4#

We never did hear about the trip to the earthship. I would love to hear about it. I was thinking of going out to see one when I am in Arizona. The wife won't let us stay in one, but that would be my ideal.

I have been reading up on these and its nice to see that there are people out there with an eye toward systematic approaches to everyday structures. Too often people go on a single tact approach to "saving the environment". They install solar or go with geothermal..

Certainly more and more people are going with multi-faceted approaches that do a couple or a few things to reduce energy usage and waste volume, but these houses are truly whole system designs, looking at a way to live in harmony with natural energy and waste flows. Truly innovative. I do hope that there is a way to package these ideas to sell them to the masses rather than to the followers alone.