Going off the grid doesn't have to mean going back to basics. More and more people are swapping traditional homes and hefty household bills for energy-efficient Earthships.

Growing in popularity since the 1970s when American Architect Michael Reynolds created the first Earthship, these eco homes are built from upcycled materials packed with mud, or set into the ground – hence their name and distinctive look.

Click or stroll through to explore these remarkable houses, designed for living off the land...