Michael E. Reynolds

Michael E. Reynolds (born 1945) is an American architect based in New Mexico, known for the design and construction of "earthship" passive solar houses.

The structures built under his direction utilize everyday trash items like aluminum beverage cans, plastic bottles and used tires.

He cites as an epiphany the moment he realized that any object could be utilized—an old tire could become a powerful and durable thermal mass when it was filled with soil, or a pop bottle could be used for insulation.

[3] Though Reynolds always stressed the experimental nature of his homes, disillusioned buyers filed lawsuits and complaints over defects, such as leaky roofs and inadequate climate control.

[neutrality is disputed] Spurred by the many claims against Reynolds, the State Architects Board of New Mexico stripped him of his credentials, saying his home designs were illegal and unsafe.

[5] Relationships with his former clients whose earthships failed were never repaired, though the state's intervention left some satisfied that at least others would not be affected in the same ways they had.

Reynolds explains how his buildings can operate off the electrical grid, requiring little or no mortgage payment and no utility bills.