Planet Earthship: Explore Sustainable Architecture in Taos, New Mexico
Architect Mike Reynolds is a firm believer that one man’s trash is another man’s insulation. A pile of discarded tires and beer cans inspired Reynolds to start building houses out of materials that most people throw away. The company that Reynolds founded—Earthship Biotecture—currently builds unique, sustainable homes around the world.
Mike Reynolds decided that the stark yet beautiful desert landscape of Taos, New Mexico was the perfect place to build sustainable homes. Reynolds refers to the structures that he builds as earthships. Each earthship is built out of adobe and upcycled materials such as cans, bottles, and tires. Earthship residents rely on solar panels for electricity, a greenhouse full of herbs and edible plants to supplement their food supply, and a cistern to collect rainwater for bathing and drinking.
Each earthship has a unique design that resembles a cozy, slightly elongated 21st century hobbit hole. Numerous earthships around the globe have been converted into Airbnbs and other rental properties so that visitors can experience sustainable architecture firsthand. Visitors are often amazed that—despite a lack of heating and cooling equipment—earthships are able to maintain a steady temperature of 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit thanks to adobe walls and insulation made out of rubber tires and beer cans.
If you’re interested in learning how to build an earthship, the Earthship Biotecture Academy in Taos is an excellent place to learn. Various construction and environmental experts teach students how to build sustainable, affordable earthships. Founding architect Mike Reynolds is passionate about sustainable architecture and is always eager to share his knowledge with people from around the globe.
Visitors who are curious about earthships are encouraged to tour the Earthship Biotecture Visitor Center in Tres Piedras, New Mexico. For a small fee, you can take a self-guided tour that will introduce you to the philosophy of sustainable architecture, as well as some of the sights and textures of some of the most distinctive structures on the planet. The arid desert of New Mexico is the ideal place to learn about resource conservation and utilization. In the desert, every drop of water and thriving plant counts.
Photo by depositphotos.com
If you’re committed to being as environmentally conscious as possible, a visit to the earthships of Taos is an absolute must. Earthships are proof that we can consume less, use our resources wisely, and still live in a stylish, comfortable home adorned with glass bottles that look like glowing jewels in the sunshine.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Earthship Visitor Center, 2 Earthship Way, Tres Piedras, New Mexico (named visitor-center building)
- Coordinates
- 36.495363, -105.752965
- Access
- Visit the public Earthship Visitor Center at 2 Earthship Way, just off NM-64 west; follow its signs and do not drive through the Greater World residential community or cross no-trespassing signs. The operator lists daily self-guided visits and a daily guided tour, but guided times can change and should be confirmed in the booking calendar.
- Admission
- The operator currently lists self-guided admission at US$9 per adult, free for Taos locals, Earthship alumni and children 12 and under. A guided ticket is US$22 for ages 13+, US$13 for ages 6–12 and Taos locals, and free under 6; it includes the self-guided visit. Taos.org still lists an older $8 self-guided rate, so confirm the checkout price.
- Time needed
- Taos.org recommends about one hour for a self-guided visit. The operator’s guided tour takes 1.5 hours and includes the Visitor Center; arrive 20–30 minutes early if you want time to see the center first.
- Best season
- The operator lists the self-guided Visitor Center as open seven days a week and does not name a best season. No seasonal closure is stated on its current page; confirm the live calendar before a special trip.
- Opening hours
- Operator page: self-guided visits daily 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; arrive at least 15 minutes before closing. Guided tours are listed daily 4–5:30 p.m., but dates/times may change and tours can be cancelled if no one has booked by 3:45. Taos.org still lists older seasonal hours (summer 9–5, other seasons 10–4, closed Thanksgiving/Christmas); check the operator’s current page/calendar.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-20
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-27
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