Mike Reynolds (architect)
Encyclopedia
Michael E. "Mike" Reynolds is an American architect based in New Mexico
and a proponent of "radically sustainable living". He has been a critic of the profession of architecture for its failure to deal with the amount of waste that building design creates.
in 1969, Reynolds began his provocative work almost immediately. His thesis was published in Architectural Record
in 1971 and the following year he built his first house from recycled materials. The structures built under his direction utilize everyday trash items like aluminum cans, plastic bottles and used tires. Instead of using conventional (and energy-consuming) recycling methods, however, Reynolds takes the discarded item and recycles them as-is. His Thumb House, built in 1972, used beer cans wired together into "bricks," which were mortared together and then plastered over. (The brick design was awarded a U.S. patent in 1973.
Reynolds calls this practice Earthship
Biotecture and has dedicated his life to it. He cites as an epiphany the moment he realized that any object, be it a pop bottle or an old tire, could become powerful and durable insulation when it was filled with dirt. He has written five books on the subject.
Soon he was building and selling his experimental homes while continuing to use trial and error to improve them.
Over time, the Earthships incorporated features designed to make them comfortable to live in while existing off the grid
. Solar panels and geothermal cooling were added. The homes caught the imagination of celebrities and environmental
activists
. Actors Dennis Weaver
and Keith Carradine
each commissioned Reynolds to build high-end Earthships for them.
Though Reynolds always stressed the experimental nature of his homes, that did not prevent disillusioned buyers from filing lawsuits and complaints over defects such as leaky roofs and inadequate climate control. Spurred by a series of complaints and lawsuits against Reynolds, the State Architects Board of New Mexico moved to strip him of his credentials, saying his home designs were illegal and unsafe. In 1990, Reynolds voluntarily gave up his New Mexico architecture and construction licenses after a year-long dispute with several clients. Since then, the board of the American Institute of Architects
has asked Reynolds to give a lecture at its headquarters in Colorado and had his license reinstated in 2007.
With the rise in concern over global warming
, Reynolds has become a graying prophet of the green movement
. A 2007 documentary, Garbage Warrior
, celebrates his life and work. In the film, Reynolds is quoted as saying he fell into depression
after his licensing troubles. Faced with the end of his career, Reynolds agreed to follow state and federal codes, though not without protest. Though he chafed at not being able to experiment freely again, Reynolds got his architect's license back and resumed building Earthships.
In Garbage Warrior, Reynolds describes one of his new homes, called the Phoenix: "There's nothing coming into this house, no power lines, no gas lines, no sewage lines coming out, no water lines coming in, no energy being used ... We're sitting on 6,000 gallons of water, growing food, sewage internalized, 70 degrees [or 21 degrees C] year-round ... What these kind of houses are doing is taking every aspect of your life and putting it into your own hands ... A family of four could totally survive here without having to go to the store."
Reynolds claims that his buildings can operate off the electricity grid, requiring little or no mortgage payment and no utility bills.
All publications are obtainable through the internet.
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
and a proponent of "radically sustainable living". He has been a critic of the profession of architecture for its failure to deal with the amount of waste that building design creates.
Career
After graduating from the University of CincinnatiUniversity of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
in 1969, Reynolds began his provocative work almost immediately. His thesis was published in Architectural Record
Architectural Record
Architectural Record is an American monthly magazine dedicated to architecture and interior design, published by McGraw-Hill Construction in New York City. It is over 110 years old...
in 1971 and the following year he built his first house from recycled materials. The structures built under his direction utilize everyday trash items like aluminum cans, plastic bottles and used tires. Instead of using conventional (and energy-consuming) recycling methods, however, Reynolds takes the discarded item and recycles them as-is. His Thumb House, built in 1972, used beer cans wired together into "bricks," which were mortared together and then plastered over. (The brick design was awarded a U.S. patent in 1973.
Reynolds calls this practice Earthship
Earthship
An earthship is a type of passive solar house made of natural and recycled materials. Designed and marketed by Earthship Biotecture of Taos, New Mexico, the homes are primarily constructed to work as autonomous buildings and are generally made of earth-filled tires, using thermal mass...
Biotecture and has dedicated his life to it. He cites as an epiphany the moment he realized that any object, be it a pop bottle or an old tire, could become powerful and durable insulation when it was filled with dirt. He has written five books on the subject.
Soon he was building and selling his experimental homes while continuing to use trial and error to improve them.
Over time, the Earthships incorporated features designed to make them comfortable to live in while existing off the grid
The Grid
The Grid are an English electronic dance group, consisting of Richard Norris and David Ball , with guest contributions from other musicians...
. Solar panels and geothermal cooling were added. The homes caught the imagination of celebrities and environmental
Environmentalism
Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
activists
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
. Actors Dennis Weaver
Dennis Weaver
William Dennis Weaver was an American actor, best known for his work in television, including roles on Gunsmoke, as Marshal Sam McCloud on the NBC police drama McCloud, and the 1971 TV movie Duel....
and Keith Carradine
Keith Carradine
Keith Ian Carradine is an American actor who has had success on stage, film and television. In addition, he is a Golden Globe and Oscar winning songwriter. As a member of the Carradine family, he is part of an acting "dynasty" that began with his father, John Carradine.-Early life:Keith...
each commissioned Reynolds to build high-end Earthships for them.
Though Reynolds always stressed the experimental nature of his homes, that did not prevent disillusioned buyers from filing lawsuits and complaints over defects such as leaky roofs and inadequate climate control. Spurred by a series of complaints and lawsuits against Reynolds, the State Architects Board of New Mexico moved to strip him of his credentials, saying his home designs were illegal and unsafe. In 1990, Reynolds voluntarily gave up his New Mexico architecture and construction licenses after a year-long dispute with several clients. Since then, the board of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
has asked Reynolds to give a lecture at its headquarters in Colorado and had his license reinstated in 2007.
With the rise in concern over global warming
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
, Reynolds has become a graying prophet of the green movement
Green Movement
The Green Movement refers to a series of actions after the 2009 Iranian presidential election, in which protesters demanded the removal of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from office...
. A 2007 documentary, Garbage Warrior
Garbage Warrior (film)
Garbage Warrior is a 2007 film about architect Mike Reynolds, inventor of the Earthship style of building, directed by Oliver Hodge. It follows Reynolds' struggle with the legislature of Taos, New Mexico, the location of his experimental Earthship community, in order to be allowed to build homes...
, celebrates his life and work. In the film, Reynolds is quoted as saying he fell into depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
after his licensing troubles. Faced with the end of his career, Reynolds agreed to follow state and federal codes, though not without protest. Though he chafed at not being able to experiment freely again, Reynolds got his architect's license back and resumed building Earthships.
In Garbage Warrior, Reynolds describes one of his new homes, called the Phoenix: "There's nothing coming into this house, no power lines, no gas lines, no sewage lines coming out, no water lines coming in, no energy being used ... We're sitting on 6,000 gallons of water, growing food, sewage internalized, 70 degrees [or 21 degrees C] year-round ... What these kind of houses are doing is taking every aspect of your life and putting it into your own hands ... A family of four could totally survive here without having to go to the store."
Reynolds claims that his buildings can operate off the electricity grid, requiring little or no mortgage payment and no utility bills.
List of publications
- Reynolds, Michael E. (September 1989), A Coming of Wizards. ISBN 978-0961401030
- Reynolds, Michael E. (September 1990), Earthship: How to Build Your Own, Vol. 1. ISBN 978-0962676703
- Reynolds, Michael E. (November 1991), Earthship: System and Components, Vol. 2. ISBN 978-0962676710
- Reynolds, Michael E. (September 1993), Earthship: Evolution Beyond Economics, Vol. 3. ISBN 978-0962676727
- Reynolds, Michael E. (30 August 2000), Comfort in any Climate. ISBN 978-0962676741
- Reynolds, Michael E. (30 June 2005), Water from the Sky. ISBN 978-0962676758
All publications are obtainable through the internet.
External links
- Earthship website
- Garbage Warrior website
- Interview with Reynolds, Green Majority, 7 March 2008