Recycled Tires

Recycled Tire House

When Cate and Wayne met in New Mexico, they decided to move to a cooler climate and bought a piece of land in Helena, Montana. Using the trial-and-error method, they built everything themselves while focusing on economics and environmentally friendly construction. The basic structure of their house is made from 250 used car tires that have been packed with earth and sealed with concrete. Wayne and Cate used old wood for the roof trusses, salvaged glass for the window panes, and incorporated about 13,000 empty soda and beer cans throughout. Some interesting shapes have emerged from the building process, including the body of a buffalo, for which Cate devised a head from chicken wire and beer bottles.

Containing an abundant number of plants, the three-room home mimics a giant greenhouse, with the living room, painted in warm earth tones, as its central focus. Glass in the bathroom allows users to bask in the sunlight while bathing or showering, and because the home is heated by solar gain, thermal mass, and a wood-burning stove on the coldest of days, the utility bill averages only about $20 per month. All told, the house has been more than affordable, with the approximate building cost of only $14,000.