For over a decade, Michael and Denise Pfalzer have worked toward a dream of living completely sustainable in an Earthship – an energy-efficient home constructed from recycled materials such as rubber tires and tin cans, complete with solar-powered electricity and rainwater plumbing.
According to the Tampa Tribune, rainwater gathered from the rooftop would be used for drinking, washing dishes and flushing toilets before it trickles back out to nourish the gardens.
Although the Earthship would not have an air conditioning system, Pfalzer said it would maintain a cool temperature due to the cave-like design.
This is the first Earthship in Florida.
However, today the project lays dormant as overgrown grass and weeds consume the more than 4,000-square-foot foundation and tire walls.
In 2004, the Pfalzers acquired the land in Myakka, Fla. and began implementing the project in 2008. Manatee County’s strict building codes and permits led the project to a rough start. However, a nonprofit organization called Earthship Florida formed and worked toward the goal of completing the home.
According to Earthship Florida, the project is 70 percent complete. Earthship lacks a roof, interior walls and a solar panel electric system.
Pfalzer said he spent most of the project’s preliminary work collecting specific tires for the walls, as well as other recycled materials such as beer cans and wine bottles.
Due to health issues and medical expenses, Pfalzer could not afford to complete the project and has decided to sell the unfinished Earthship and 9.5 acre lot for $225,000.
Pfalzer said constructing the Earthship was “very labor intensive.”
“The costs were far more than we were able to afford. We got as far as we could,” he said.
Originally, the group envisioned colleges such as Eckerd College and USF St. Petersburg using the Earthship and surrounding property as a learning center to teach and experiment with sustainable methods and technologies.
Grateful 4 Grace, a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 by Nicholas Cardin and former USF student Gabrielle Heinlein, is interested in the property.
The group aims to help others become more consciously sustainable and works toward the long-term goal of creating self-sufficient communities throughout the United States.
If you are interested in sustainable and tiny-home communities, go to grateful4grace.org. Email firstFLearthship@yahoo.com if interested in the Florida Earthship.
One day I will live in a sustainable home. It is my dream. Thank you for all efforts in this project.
Hi! They are now 95% finished with this earthship in Florida. It is now a beautiful home! Check it out on fb @ Earthship Myakka )
Bad to the bone!