In the Aardehuis Ecovillage in the Netherlands, 44 residents live in Earthships that generate almost all their energy, heat with the sun, and treat sewage in their own garden. The construction resembles a hobbit settlement designed to minimize environmental impact as much as possible. In the Dutch cold a heat pump helps in the winter. 17 solar panels on the roof supply practically all the energy consumption, which keeps the village almost self-sufficient, though not completely.
Aardehuis comprises 23 different Earthships and a conventional community house. The houses use recycled and local materials, such as wood, adobe, and second-hand pieces, and the electricity and heating are almost entirely self-generated. The village was planned and built by the group, with the help of volunteers and professionals. They only bought new material when there was no other option, and part of the work is simple to learn and do with their own hands.
Most Earthships have inner back walls made of old car tires filled with earth. In the cold season, the solar heat that reaches the back of the house and the tires filled with earth act like a kind of sponge that absorbs heat, and at night, when the curtains are closed, this sponge releases the accumulated heat, helping to warm the houses.
The residents take care of their own sewage, and only the community center is connected to the public network. All wastewater is pumped to a field twice a day, where the oxygen from the plant roots feeds the bacteria that decompose the organic waste, and the now clean water then flows to a lake.
There are no paved paths and everything is green, with outside cars parked in a shared space to free up area. Tthe community tends to fly less, eat less meat than average, and share vehicles, and some residents use electric cars.
The group focused on building one residence at a time and moved to the next when finished, so everyone worked on everyone’s house.
With the construction completed, they planted a forest garden with fruits, nuts, berries, and herbs, and formed a real community. They say they want to serve as an example of sustainable living.
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