Reynolds has also been invited to lecture about his innovations around the world including The Parliament of Sweden, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, National Technical Library in Prague, and The World Wellness Project Summit in Melbourne and more. Michael Reynolds and has appeared on a regular basis over the last 40 years on the radio, on television, film, and in print media around the world from Asia, Europe, Australia, to North and South America, and the world-wide interest in Reynolds’ work is only growing. Operable windows and skylights provided natural ventilation to cool the buildings. Solar glazing along the whole front of the structure allows the sun to heat the floors and the walls providing comfortable, stable temperatures inside without using fossil fuels or wood. The houses we now build with earth rammed tires are so strong that no foundation is required, giving load bearing walls and thermal mass storage. Over the next decade, designs constantly evolved to incorporate thermal mass, passive solar and natural ventilation. Garbage is now all around the globe, especially tires, highly available and highly damaging to the environment when left in the nature. All of these systems are necessary for the healthy functioning of the planetary systems that are needed for our survival.

These homes made from “garbage” immediately started getting press coverage though they were not nearly as sophisticated and the Earthships of today. These cans were empty and simply used as free units of space with which to form light, strong concrete walls. The early buildings used discarded steel or tin beer cans (this was before recycling existed). Ten empty cans, four flat and six unflattened, were wired together to make a building block. Inspired by television news stories about the problem of trash and the lack of affordable housing, Michael created the “can brick” out of discarded steel and tin cans. Michael Reynolds, founder and creator of the concept, came to Taos, after graduating from Architecture School in 1969. Enter the world of Eco, a fully simulated ecosystem bustling with thousands of growing plants and animals living out their lives.

Eco global survival build building