Over the past several decades, autonomous housing has evolved significantly, bringing us closer to a more sustainable future. Visionaries like Mike Reynolds took bold steps in developing homes that can self-regulate temperature without relying on mechanical systems. We believe this is the housing of tomorrow—homes in harmony with the planet, where we work with nature and nature works with us. Our ultimate goal is to create a near-closed-loop system, where everything we need is integrated into the home itself.

This off-grid home exemplifies sustainability by using recycled byproducts that would otherwise end up in landfills or require substantial energy to repurpose. Tires, for example, form a nearly indestructible foundation that will endure for centuries, ensuring that future generations inherit a home that is both durable and energy-efficient, with minimal upkeep required to maintain a comfortable environment.

The foundation, made of these recycled tires, extends from the ground to the ceiling in many areas of the home, evenly distributing the weight of the structure. Unlike traditional foundations, where the building's weight rests on a small surface area, this innovative design spreads the load, enhancing stability and resilience. This helps ensure the home withstands the test of time and the elements.

The recycled tires serve not only as the foundation but also play a crucial role in regulating the home’s temperature. The building’s thermal mass, wrapped in insulation, seeks to maintain a balanced temperature of around 58 degrees. The south-facing greenhouse helps maintain a steady 70 degrees year-round, with the low winter sun penetrating the windows to heat the thermal mass. This stored heat is released back into the home after sunset, maintaining comfort while the greenhouse cools down at night.

In the summer, when the sun is higher in the sky, it barely enters the greenhouse. Instead, we use this heat to create a convection loop with cooling tubes buried 40 feet behind the house. When the cooling tubes at the back of the house are opened, and vents at the front are released, the rising warm air pulls in cool, 58-degree air from underground, creating a natural, non-mechanical air conditioning system.

In addition to recycling waste materials, our home collects rainwater from the gutters, storing it in buried cisterns. Gravity feeds the water into the house, where minimal electricity is used to pressurize it before it passes through a filtration system to make it clean and drinkable. After use, the water is sent to a botanical cell, where plants not only provide a stunning jungle view but also purify the water, making it safe to pump back into the toilet for its final use. This system enables us to use 60-70% less water than a typical household. With just 5,000 gallons of water storage, we need only about 1.5 inches of precipitation per month to keep the home running efficiently.

By embracing sustainable practices and utilizing nature’s resources, we’ve created a home that reduces waste, conserves water, and minimizes energy consumption, setting a blueprint for a future where homes can function in harmony with the environment.