She Lives In An Earth Ship, Which Is Another Off-Grid Alternative Housing Option

Emily Chan |

Jun 13, 2023

aiisha - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only

Off-grid living is a sustainable housing trend that many people have been gravitating toward in the spirit of reducing hefty household bills and being more considerate of the environment.

It means living in the wilderness, creating your own source of energy, and growing your own food. You’ve probably heard of the tiny house movement, which advocates for simplifying your space and living a more sustainable lifestyle.

There’s another off-grid alternative housing option that stands for a similar objective. Earth ships are unique homes that produce their own electricity, heating, water, and food.

TikToker Ari (@arianna_danielson) lives in an earth ship, and she’s explaining what it is and how it works.

If you don’t know what an earth ship is, it’s a self-sufficient, sustainable solar structure made from recyclable materials. They first came into existence in the 1970s.

Ari’s home is located in the Black Forest of Colorado Springs. It accommodates six guests and contains two bedrooms, three beds, and one bathroom.

Some of the framework and all the walls of the ship are made out of tires packed with earth and straw. Earth ships can also consist of materials like aluminum cans, cement, glass bottles, and adobe.

The building is powered by solar panels stationed on the roof, and the back wall is built right into the ground to help with temperature regulation in the interior of the house.

The ship does not have any heating or cooling devices because it regulates its own temperatures, making use of the sun’s warmth. But there is a propane fireplace in the front of the home and a pellet stove in the back.

aiisha – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only

Additionally, the house’s windows have blinds that can be pulled down to keep the sun’s rays out and bring down the temperature indoors.

Now, as for where Ari gets her water, it comes from a private solar-powered well. The filtered water is pumped into a cistern in her home, where she can then use it for washing and bathing.

Earth ships also recycle water. Ari grows several plants in her home, most of which are herbs that can be used for cooking. The recycled water is utilized to nourish her plants. Nothing goes to waste!

If you’re interested in going green or just want a taste of what living off-grid in an earth ship is like, Ari has listed her environmentally-friendly structure on Airbnb for those who want to get in touch with nature.

@arianna_danielson

trying to explain it a bit really quick because so many people ask! gonna do another video on how impossible/ insanely difficult it was to finance and Insure. ??? #earthship #earthshiptour #colorado #coloradosprings #earthshiphome #sustainable #sustainability #interiordesign #retro #earthshiptiktok #earthships #earthshiphouse

? Aesthetic – Tollan Kim