Built For the End of the World & Beyond | Inside This Earthship Tiny Home

Could you live in a home made from old car tyres, glass bottles, and compacted earth? In this week's episode of Living Big in a Tiny House, we visit one of the most impressive Earthship tiny homes we've seen to date—an off-grid sanctuary that beautifully combines sustainable architecture with bold, organic design.

Earthships are radically self-sufficient homes built using natural and recycled materials. Designed to function entirely off the grid, they harvest rainwater, generate their own solar power, grow food indoors, and reuse greywater—all within a highly efficient, closed-loop system. These homes are built to thrive in extreme climates and are designed to help meet the challenges of a changing world.

This particular Earthship, designed and built by Dr. Martin Freney of Earthship Eco Homes (alongside a team of volunteers), is a masterclass in resilience and intelligent design. Its walls are made from earth-packed tyres, while upcycled glass bottles add insulation and natural light. The home is powered by solar panels, uses a rainwater catchment and filtration system, and recycles its greywater to nourish an indoor greenhouse garden. Passive ventilation systems help regulate temperature naturally, allowing the home to stay comfortable in both hot and cold conditions—without the need for external heating or cooling.

Despite its compact size, this Earthship is entirely self-sufficient. Every detail has been carefully considered to make the most of resources and space, proving that small homes can be incredibly powerful.

Earthships have always held a special place in my heart. They were one of my earliest exposures to alternative architecture, and they fundamentally changed how I think about home design. When I built my very first tiny house, the Seed of Life, I was trying to create a tiny house version of an Earthship—something beautiful, self-reliant, and in harmony with the earth. So, for me, this episode is a special one. It was such a joy to reconnect with Martin and explore one of his newest builds.

There’s something magical about this home. With its curved walls and striking organic shapes, it looks like something from a storybook—but underneath that beauty lies serious functionality. There’s a rugged, Mad Max-like resilience to Earthships that makes them feel grounded and secure, even in the face of uncertain times.

This home shows that sustainable living doesn’t have to mean giving anything up. It’s about building homes that are not only smart and efficient but also full of character and soul.

If you’re interested in off-grid living, alternative architecture, or simply love great design, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Watch the full tour and see how this remarkable Earthship is built not just for the end of the world—but for the future, and beyond.

The full build of this Earthship was brilliantly documented in the film Grounded By Design. The filmmakers kindly allowed us to use shots from this documentary. You can watch the full film on YouTube. It’s a great film and I highly recommend checking it out.

This epic Earthship currently functions as a BnB! You can book your stay here.