An earthship home in Colorado Springs, CO, designed to be “completely independent from public utilities” has just landed on the market for $800,000.
Built in 2000, the energy-efficient residence boasts a plethora of thoughtful self-sustaining features, including a brand-new, fully owned solar power system, a tankless water heater, and two different heating options to warm the entire property—helping to not only keep the dwelling running in all conditions, but also keep utility costs at an “impressively low” rate.
But this is not the rustic cabin that many might think of when imagining this kind of off-grid retreat. In fact, it comes equipped with many very modern amenities, including high-speed fiber optic internet service.
It is the perfect marriage of modern convenience with natural beauty, courtesy of an incredibly unique design that brings the great outdoors into all of the living spaces—in more ways than one.
“The home has an indoor pond and built-in planter beds throughout,” said listing agent Tyler Hoerner of The Innovative Group LLC. “It also has active and passive solar with a 100-foot wall of windows that flood the interior with natural light.”
The property’s very design was also conceived with sustainability at the forefront of its creation.
Earthship homes are best known for their unique use of upcycled materials during construction, such as recycled plastic bottles, cardboard, aluminum cans, and even automobile tires.
The sunken dwelling buried in the earth for added insulation features a sun-soaked 2,940-square-foot open floor plan.
“The sellers bought it in 2022 and have done a lot of updates since then, including updating the solar, the well, some interior landscaping, and electricity,” Hoerner noted.
Other sustainable features include a gas-burning stove and brand-new pellet stove for heat sources, an on-demand tankless water heater, and a domestic well with 500-gallon storage cistern.
“It’s a pretty cool vibe house that was used as an investment property by the sellers,” he said. “It has been a very successful rental but could also be used as either a primary or secondary residence.
“I helped the sellers buy it three years ago as their buyer’s agent, and the people they bought it from used it as their primary home.”
Tucked away in the Black Forest offering serene wooded views, the off-grid dwelling was designed as a nature lover’s peaceful retreat where people can come to relax and disconnect from technology.
“You’re literally in the forest, so what is really special is that you are away from the main city yet just 15 minutes from Colorado Springs,” Hoerner said.
The horticulturalist’s dream dwelling features a wall of planters with drip irrigation.
“Someone who loves nature and plants would be perfect for this home,” Hoerner said.
The two-bedroom, open-concept home was designed to maintain a comfortable climate year-round.
A stained glass entry door leads to the sunken atrium-style space with vaulted ceilings and slanted windows designed for indoor gardens to flourish with planters lining the length of the home.
The great room tucked off to the side is surrounded by three walls for extra coziness while also offering views of the property. An open kitchen offers plenty of cabinet space, a breakfast bar, walk-in pantry, slate backsplash, propane-powered refrigerator, and separate dining area.
The one-level residence features a color-filled bathroom with stained-glass door, a wall of embedded glass bottles repurposed to cast colorful light into the space, and a step-up combination tub and shower.
A primary bedroom boasts a hanging swing and walk-out access to a side patio, while a guest room features a recessed bed and built-in planter wall. There are no doors separating the open concept living and sleeping spaces, intentionally designed for optimum heating and cooling.
The 5-acre property also boasts an attached two-car garage, an outbuilding, and plenty of acreage for farm animals to roam.
“I think the next buyer will be someone who loves nature and plants,” he noted. “It could also be someone who wants freedom and space, while enjoying the sustainability aspect.”