EVE is a planned high-density community of Earthships. It is designed for up to 25 residents to live, work and grow their own food. This project only addresses the issues that Michael Reynold has worked on through his previous Earthships projects, such as power, water, sewage, and comfort, but it also attempts to address economic issues through community-level planning. 

This was an ambitious project for Reynolds, as he had to go through a legal process to develop the site and to gain the right to pursue experimentation with methods of sustainable living and architecture without having to go through the conventional permitting process. 

The building design takes on the legacy of his previous Earthship project through the use of recycled bottle and glass materials and the stained glass-like aesthetics. 

The design of the building reminds me of Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi. The large opening that allows lighting, and colorful glass design seem to create a similar spatial experience as cathedrals with ornate glass windows. The repeating arch structure with organic curves also resembles the designs by Gaudi. The sacred and symbolic atmosphere seems to match the function of this new community project as a sanctuary for Earthship projects.

This was the first self-sufficient and sustainable public school in Argentina. The Earthship project was started and completed in 2018. The architect, Michael Reynolds worked with Una Escuela Sustentable, an organization that helps construct sustainable public schools in Latin American countries. The organization commissioned Reynolds because they had their mission in common to build sustainable architecture. The building was built from recycled materials, including 2000 car tires. This project was one of the largest projects that Reynolds had taken on with the building stretching for about 3,000 square feet. However, it still follows the core 6 principles of Earthship including the use of repurposed or recycled materials, solar or thermal heating and cooling, rainwater harvesting, and sewage treatment. The school also has a food production area. Reynolds design ensures energy, financial, and even food sustainability of the school located in a remote area.

A new model of Earthship was built in Japan as part of the project during the first Earthship Biotecture Academy in Asia, in which the leading architect, Michael Reynolds, taught his design principles, construction methods, and philosophy through the construction process. The project was completed in November 2018. The construction period was just one month. 

This Earthship project is made of recycled materials. It is also a complete off-grid structure with a capacity to supply water and electricity on its own. 

The project was initiated in a response to the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, where many people realized the importance and issues of energy use. The structure opened as a guest house to offer opportunities to experience a fully self-sustained lifestyle. 

I liked this project because it exemplifies Michael Reynold’s design principles and philosophy: the use of recycled material, efficient use of solar energy and light, passive heating, and cooling that does not require AC or heating appliances. At the same time, it incorporates local design tradition through the use of locally sourced wood materials. The stylish interior finish also creates a more comforting and inviting feel. 

This building was started in 2018 and is approaching completion. The building was proposed in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria which devastated the island of Puerto Rico. The little village primarily consists of 5 doms surrounding an open place in the middle with natural shade given from the buildings and plants surrounding it. Following Michael Reynolds’s philosophy on the use of materials the buildings are made from reused glass, soda cans, and clay, materials that for many others would be considered waste. Like all other Earthships created by Michael Reynolds, the buildings do follow his six design principles. Those are: rainwater collection, effective utilization of solar energy (including solar panels for electricity) reused materials used in the construction, passive heating and cooling systems through the design and material use, independent sewage treatment/containment, and lastly that they should produce food.

I find myself liking this building since unlike a lot of the other Earthships the scale is smaller and there is a stronger focus on creating a space for a community and for gatherings. Additionally, I think the effective use of exterior space between the buildings elevates the design.

I visited St. Peeter’s Basilica with my family on our trip to Rome a couple of years ago and the architecture and decore on the Basilica blew my mind. I am not a religious person and we only visited the Vatican to see the beautiful architecture and sculptures and it did not disappoint. As a non-religious person, I felt for the first time that I could understand how someone could believe in some greater power when looking up at the majesty of the domes and arches filled with stone carvings and beautiful paintings. The Basilica is so rich in culture and style that you feel that you are walking through history when moving through the building. 

when looking back at that trip the architecture of the St. Peeter’s Basilica imprinted a mindset of how religious buildings should feel and look I have been to other churches both before and after, and even though they have never quite managed to reach the same height I could always feel part of that grandeur in the building.

(not necessarily related to the St. Peeter’s Basilica, but a slight criticism of modern American churches ending this blog)

I did feel that way until I came to the US for college. I have never been in a place with a higher percentage of religious people, and never in a place with an equally high concentration of churches, yet I have never been more disappointed in church architecture. I feel that the churches that I have seen so far, especially in Oklahoma have been difficult to point out with the exception of a cross and it makes me a bit sad to see the grandeur that I appreciated in St. Peter’s Basilica completely lacking from local churches.

verdens ende restaurant, translated to English: worlds end restaurant, is located on one of the outermost islands in the Oslo fjord where the string of islands come to an end and you can see directly out into the open ocean. The restaurant itself has a partially militaristic feel to its outside with the stone and concrete block look. This is partially broken up by the circular observation room on the second floor. For most buildings, I don’t appreciate the blocky militaristic look, but here I think it is appropriate and works for three reasons.

Firstly is the fact that the place has a military history as the nearby lighthouse was the first place the german invasion of Norway was noticed during the second world war. This gave the time needed for the royal family and the government to flee to the UK and to notify the military. after Norway was occupied by German forces they built an extensive series of bunkers along the Norwegian coastline.

secondly, the militaristic look signifies how rough the weather conditions can be when it is storming and the sea is dark. this reminds the visitors of how close they are to the elements.

lastly, because the nearby rock is all smooth and without edges as a result of the last ice age, the use of sharp corners makes the building stand out from the rest of the environment.

I have been to this place many times, but this summer was the first time that I had dinner at the restaurant in windy conditions, and it was amazing. as you sit inside this nice and warm atmosphere you see the raging elements outside through the windows. It was a beautiful experience that I would recommend to anyone.

lørenskog hus is my local library, cinema, and small concert hall all in one package. The building is vaguely horseshoe-shaped with the outside covered in marble with windows placed without a seeming pattern and colored LED lights that light up the building during the night as can be seen in the first image. the inside is coved in class and surrounds a smaller courtyard as can be seen in image 2. this class facade allows for much sunlight to enter the building and highlights much of the natural wood used in the interior.

I have often come to the library here for books and a calm place to study which have always made me fond of the building. the interior wood makes it light and gives the inside a friendly atmosphere that always allowed me to concentrate. though that is one positive aspect of the building my favorite memory is simply watching it light up during a cold winter night as I walk or drive past, it simply makes me happy and warm inside seeing the building that without the lights would have camouflaged itself with the snow.

The Oslo opera house is located on reclaimed land in the Oslo Fjord. Because it is located in the fjord it gives a nice early feel especially on foggy days as shown in the image. I have often been on the roof of the building when I visit the city since it is such a nice place and one of the only buildings that I know of where the entire building is designed to use the roof as public space.  Because the roof is a continuous slope for most of it the building has also been utilized for larger concerts where a large barge is utilized as a stage and the roof is filled by the audience as is seen in the second image.

I personally have never attended an event in or on top of the building, but since the roof is public access, I often use it as a meeting place when meeting friends and family in the city. Additionally, I have also sometimes used the building as a place to do base jumping into the fjord since it is vertical on one side and has an easy slope to climb back onto on the other side. Every time I visit the building I enjoy walking on the beautiful marbled roof and just looking out over the peaceful fjord. Since the building is located on reclaimed land it feels like you have walked out of the traffic of the city even though the city center is just across the street.