Brittany’s solar-powered Groundhouse – conceived over a decade by Daren Howarth and Adrianne Nortje – flips the stereotype that rammed earth homes are only fit for peace-loving hippies. Yes it’s earthy – with exterior walls comprised of no less than 150 tons of rammed earth formed by tires. But it is also so well-designed and economical that even the least eco-conscious person would enjoy living in it. Bespoke furnishings (made of mostly recycled, salvaged, local or traditional materials) and 14 solar panels that produce more energy than the home could ever use make this a winning design for people on all levels of the environmentally-aware spectrum.