The Greenhouse of the Future

It's fun to watch how reclaimed materials such as tires and bottles, along with some dirt, and a community of people can together create a passive solar greenhouse. In Curt Close's The Greenhouse of the Future, viewers are taken through the actual building process—from laying the foundation to attaching the roof and all steps in-between—with an infectious sense of energy. The greenhouse is inspired by Michael Reynolds's “Earthship” homes (which have a 40-year history—there are several in my home state of Colorado), and are designed to be an energy-neutral self-sustaining way of growing healthy foods year-round. Undertaking such a project isn't for everyone, of course. The walls are constructed of old tires that require each to be filled with soil and deliberately placed (one by one) to ensure a solid building. The computer drawings make it look like a piece of cake, but given the variables of tires and dirt (not to mention people involved in building the tire wall), a serious amount of care and precision is involved in making a level and durable wall. But for those interested—and many will likely be—this program is the perfect guide, also featuring a 220 page step-by-step e-book with the actual construction plans to build the greenhouse. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (C. Block)