If you ever want to make a statement on doing something for the environment, perhaps an "Earthship"—constructed with a variety of recycled materials, including used tires—is the next home for you.
Mike Reynolds, an architect based in New Mexico, has made sustainable house his life's work starting back in the 1970s. He did have to take a long break, apparently because of some problems with some of the houses he built and a long battle to get back his architect's license.
I came across Reynolds' work from a video posted on the @60SecDocs Twitter feed, which looks to tell compelling personal story in exactly one minute.
In Reynolds' video, he says, there are "more tires on this planet than there are trees. To me garbage is gold."
He also says he is looking to evolve sustainable housing in New Mexico by constructing buildings that are at least 50 percent recycled material.
"They use biology and physics," Reynolds said. "They absorb and use the rain, and they give people sustenance. It's the way of the future. I have never been anywhere on this planet that doesn't have tires, cans and bottles. ... I see humanity blooming like a flower. There's a possibility of a better way to live."