This is part of a series of interviews I’ve conducted with each person who has stayed at the earthship this year. You’re part of what I call “cohort zero”—the unofficial round where I’m experimenting with onboarding, orientation, and seeing what kinds of stories and values emerge from this experience. This process is about storytelling and lore-crafting, but moving forward, it might be more structured. I’m envisioning a setup where future residents submit a more defined project plan and intention before they come here, maybe even complete a digital form as part of the onboarding. And after each residency, I’d like to compile a knowledge base to create a kind of “operating manual” for the earthship. Each resident could add insights, especially around the practicalities of living here off-grid.
So, to begin: what were your expectations coming here? How did you envision the space and experience?
I had read your notes and the postings you shared, which really helped me get a feel for the setup and what to expect. I was already somewhat familiar with off-grid life in New Mexico and had visited earthships before, so there weren’t many big surprises. One unexpected thing was the road conditions. The path is deeply rutted, and even though it was dry, it was tough going, and I was glad we had a four-wheel-drive. I think it would have been easier if our vehicle had been lifted higher off the ground, like yours.
Another piece of helpful information would have been what to do if we got stuck. A guide or contact list for those scenarios would have made me feel more prepared. We got a little lost coming back from Taos, taking a different road than expected. The middle road, in particular, was a bit confusing to navigate, especially from the earthship’s direction. Beyond that, the heat in July was another unexpected challenge. Although I’m used to conserving water and energy, the temperature made it harder to keep cool, and we ended up running the swamp cooler more than we’d anticipated. I think we just needed more time to acclimate.
That’s good feedback, especially for people visiting from other climates.
Right, and one thing that would help is adding curtains to the skylights for the hotter months. Blocking that direct sunlight in the morning could make a real difference, especially in July.
Noted. So, let’s move on to what your experience was like overall. You stayed for a week with your partner and dog. Were there any pleasant surprises? How did you spend your time there?
We spent a lot of time exploring the trails and hiking, though it would’ve been great to have more detailed maps. At one point, we accidentally ended up on private property, which didn’t feel unsafe, but we weren’t sure if we should be there.
The quiet was wonderful—it was so peaceful, which made it easy to relax and recharge. I could imagine it being a great retreat to focus on a project, but I think a week just wasn’t enough time to settle in and get to work.
The time outdoors inspired us to use our drone, which was fun, but we found it hard to focus on work because of the heat. So in the end, it turned out to be more of a vacation or a break for us, which we still enjoyed.
Understandable, especially with the heat. We’ve already covered a few areas for improvement, but is there anything else that you’d suggest for future residents—or advice on what might help people get the most out of the experience?
I think, overall, the earthship setup is great because it allows you to be inside while still feeling close to nature. But creating more outdoor spaces, like a shaded area, would be a nice addition. It would make it easier to enjoy being outside even when it’s hot.
There was excellent reading material, and the internet and phone service were a huge help. When we used to live off-grid, lack of internet was always a challenge, so having a solid connection makes it easier to work on a project if someone wants to stay connected. As for the road, yes, it was tricky, but that’s part of the experience.
I love the idea of creating a “knowledge garden” for the earthship. It would be helpful for future residents to see insights from others, and it could evolve into a dialogue between past and future residents.
That’s exactly what I’m hoping for, too. It would be a way to share what I’ve learned while building a living document of practical knowledge. I’m also experimenting with ideas around collective ownership and different funding models. There’s potential value in this that could be monetized to make it sustainable. Do you think the program could be viable as a self-sustaining model?
Yes, I think it has potential. One of the great things about earthships is that you’re self-sufficient while still feeling connected to the outside world. If you develop more communal outdoor spaces, I think that would attract more people who appreciate the setup. It’s also a plus that you already have reliable internet; that’s key for people who might want to work on creative projects remotely. The reading material you provided was excellent, too—it sets a reflective tone.
As far as community involvement, there could be value in connecting with the town of Taos or even creating satellite partnerships nearby. I’ve done a residency at the Santa Fe Art Institute, and they bring artists from all over the world together around a specific theme. The thematic structure creates a shared purpose and fosters deeper interaction among residents.
Interesting. I’d love for the earthship program to become an epicenter, creating enough draw on its own so that we don’t need to be constantly trekking into town. For now, the isolation feels like a defining feature. But I’m imagining a future with up to three people at a time on-site. It would give enough of a support network for residents to feel safe and have meaningful connections. I’d love to curate residents across disciplines, maybe pairing a tech-savvy resident with an artist and someone with a humanities or science background, like anthropology or geology.
That sounds amazing. If the infrastructure is in place to support a small group, it could create a unique blend of perspectives. I could imagine a setup where the main earthship serves as a community hub and people stay in separate structures or even trailers with their own systems. That way, they’d have privacy but could still come together for shared meals or discussions in the main space.
That’s the plan! The earthship’s living area could be a central gathering space, and I envision adding a communal workshop area, possibly with water catchment and extra solar power to sustain more activities. Eventually, I’d like to create semi-outdoor spaces, maybe using shipping containers, which would provide shelter from wind and sun, as well as create more gathering points. The environment definitely presents challenges, but I think it could be activated for six months out of the year to start, with ideal seasons in spring and fall.
That makes sense. And as you continue with the program, it could develop into a community where people contribute according to their skills and interests.
There’s a lot of potential in creating something that attracts people for its unique qualities while respecting the local community and environment.
It sounds like you’re finding a thoughtful approach to bring this vision to life.
Exactly. There’s still a lot to consider. My goal is to create a flexible, respectful structure that serves the needs of both the residents and the surrounding community without causing disruption. I’ve even thought about road improvements, but that idea brings mixed reactions. Some people see it as progress, while others worry about increased access that might change the area’s character.
That’s understandable. It’s a fine balance. If the program can gain the trust of the local community, I think that will be its strongest asset. That way, the improvements you make are for the benefit of everyone, not just to make it easier for people to come and go.
Absolutely. My hope is to foster that trust over time and bring value back to the community. Thank you for sharing your insights; it’s incredibly helpful to have your perspective on this process.
Of course. It’s exciting to see where this goes. Thanks, Travis.
Thank you, Holly!