Ludwig and Retha Everson
Owners of the Aardskip (Earthship)
Ludwig and Retha Everson began building their Aardskip house in 2009. Tucked away in Robyn Street on a hill, it is a practical expression of their desire to live in harmony with nature in a way that is as environmentally friendly, self-sustainable and independent as possible. They call it the greenest house in South Africa.
The Aardskip has been built with only natural and reclaimed materials – from car tyres, bottles and cans to sandbags, straw bales and cob bricks – and relies solely on sustainable energy such as a photovoltaic power system, solar geyser and solar cooker. The Eversons implement natural climate control through the principles of thermal mass, passive solar gain, ventilation and insulation.
“The house has been built into the hill, which keeps the internal temperature more constant,” explains Ludwig. “The thick external walls absorb the heat from the sun and help to keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter. The large north-facing windows and overhang help to invite the sun inside or keep it out when necessary. We mostly keep the smaller top windows
