We’ve been taking note of some of the modifications Martin Freney has made to the global model earthship design for the Ironbank earthship project in Adelaide Australia. Martin is doing PhD research on earthships and has done computer modelling of their thermal performance so we think must be good reasons behind the design changes he has made.
A few departures from the Mike Reynolds earthship design of note are:
1) Vertical glazing instead of sloped glazing on the north face. Vertical glazing more easily allows the installation of blinds or shades if required, to exclude the worst of the mid-summer sun. Vertical glazing is also cheaper and simpler to install.
2) Use of skylights which double as vents, in the sloping area of north facing roof, along with fanlights over the interior doors. These are considered essential to get light to the back of the rooms which would otherwise be quite dark, even with a light/white ceiling.
3) Use of solar fans to vent the greenhouse area, and circulate air between the greenhouse and room behind.
Any comments on these design aspects welcomed.
I can see that having vertical glazing is more practical and a money saving solution. But the original sloped glazing looks/feels more dynamic.