This document proposes using Earthship Biotecture, a sustainable building method using recycled materials like tires and bottles, to build a self-sufficient community library in Ghana. Earthship buildings provide electricity from sun/wind, water catchment, waste treatment, and heating/cooling from the earth. They can be constructed from locally available materials with minimal energy/training. The proposal recommends presenting Earthship to community leaders, researching prior projects, and creating formal plans and blueprints for the library project.

1. Technology Proposal for the
Akim Asene Library Project
A local Application of
Earthship Biotecture:
Using recyclable materials,
commonly Found in Ghana,
to build a completely
Self-Sustaining Community Library

2. What is Earthship Biotecture?

Radically sustainable buildings made with
recycled materials.

Developed in New Mexico, United States, by
Michael Reynolds, an ingenious architect.

The most versatile and economical, sustainable
green building design in the world, customizable
to any climate.

A 40 year old technology, completely developed
and applied to countries all over the world.

3. One example in a infinite amount of
designs: “Anything is Possible!”

4. Components of a Self-Sustaining
EarthShip

Electricity: from sun and wind.

Water: from rain

Sewage:sanitary treatment.

Heating & Cooling: from sun and earth.

Food: grow inside and outside.

Materials: Built with Materials like Tires, Glass bottles
and cans, mud and cement.

5. The Building Blocks, Tires???

Able to be fashioned with little or no energy:
The automobile tire can be used as found without any modification.
The process of ramming them full of packed earth is
achieved with simple human labor and can be done with
whatever type of earth is available on the building site.

Can be done with simple labor skills, no training necessary.

The impact of large scale use of this idea would result in
depletion of the giant tire mountains that have become a serious
problem in many cities. This building block is therefore achieved
with little or no manufactured additional energy.
(Earthship.com)

6. Tire Packing Process

7. The POWER of Tires
Thermal Mass: There are few materials, if any that
would provide better, more dense mass for storing
temperature than rammed earth. The rubber tire
casings provide a natural form for humanly
manageable production of thermal mass building
blocks with little more than human energy. Few
materials would provide the structural bearing
capacities and homogenous qualities of an earth
rammed tire wall.
The diameter of the tires (2'-4") sets the thickness for
the walls at 2'-8" with plaster, finish. This amount of
dense mass surrounding every room of an earthship
provides a thermal battery like no other in
construction history.

8. It is Possible!
Earth, Wind, Water and Food

All technology involved in the process of
building a structure using Earth Biotecture is
avaliable on the web and in print format.

Earthship: How to Build Your Own,
Vol. 1 & 2, Michael Reynolds (Author)

All information used in this presentation and more can be found
at: http://earthship.com/

We are also in contact with a Engineering Technology major at
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology whom
has been studying and following the Earthship movement.

9. Next Steps

The Akim Asene Library Project would like to
present the use of this technology to the community
leaders and ask for their support in the design
concepts.

A thorough investigation of materials needed must
be done through research and investigation on prior
Earthship projects in similar climates.

A formal Construction plan must be drawn up using
Biotecture technology with local materials in mind.

A complete blue print must be drawn up.