I have been very lucky in my last 4 years, to have worked on Earthships in all shapes and sizes, with Michael Reynolds and Earthship Biotecture . 10sq m here in NZ, $700k flashy version in New Mexico, plus community centre in Africa, Storm shelter in the Phillipines and more in between. I have also worked independent of the company here in NZ and Auz, and have found design variations due to climate.

I am running a 2 week building workshop on the Awaawaraoa Eco-Village on Waiheke Island to explore this further, where we will build a 10 sqm studio, and cover the 6 ES principals, converted to appropriate design.

*Passive solar heating and cooling – Here will be north facing passive solar design, using cob for the walls (excellent mass), insulation in the roof & floor, opening windows and eves on the roof.

*Power generation – this is from a gifted 2nd hand solar array (6 panels, inverter and 4 batteries).

*contained septic – permitted composting toilet already installed. All Waiheke Island are on contained septic.

*Water catchment – this building will have a green roof, water is bring caught of the main house, shed and workshop. All Waiheke Island residents are on caught water.

*Recycled materials – so far I have clay from site, roundwood timber from the neighbors thinnings of his wood lot, 2nd hand wool carpet insulation, led light windows from the demolition store in Christchurch, scrap copper from a building job.

*food production – we grow our food outside in the garden, orchard, olive grove and vineyard.

There will be also be classes on integrated off-grid systems, eco-village design and principals, regeneration of natural bush, caring for wetlands and HOME TOURS of the beautiful mudbrick residents homes. Open to 15 students. Info at Sculptedearth.co.nz. To register email rosa.scarlette@gmail.com