What if a building could teach us to live differently? The Äerdschëff, located in Redange-sur-Attert, is much more than just an eco-friendly building: it is a living space, designed as a laboratory for ecological and social transition. Built almost entirely from reused materials, it is energy self-sufficient, largely self-sufficient in water, and designed to operate with a minimum of resources. But what makes it unique is its public purpose: it is neither a private house nor an eco-museum, but a space open to all for learning, experimenting and inspiration.

The Äerdschëff was born out of a collective dream: to demonstrate that it is possible to build differently, with less dependence on industrial systems, more respect for living things, and above all, more cooperation between humans. Today, this building is the beating heart of Äerdschëff asbl, an association that develops training courses, workshops, events and research on sustainable lifestyles. At the crossroads of architecture compatible with planetary boundaries, popular education and climate justice, this place demonstrates that another future can be invented… based on what already exists.

The Äerdschëff is inspired by Earthships, self-sufficient habitats designed in the 1970s by American architect Michael Reynolds. These bioclimatic constructions use recycled materials such as tyres, cans and bottles, integrated into a passive solar architecture designed to function without conventional heating or air conditioning. Water, energy, food: everything is managed on site. But while this model originated in the New Mexico desert, it had to be radically redesigned for Luxembourg’s temperate climate.

The Äerdschëff retains the spirit of the Earthship – self-sufficiency, reuse, simplicity – while adapting it to local constraints: abundant rainfall, harsh winters and European safety standards. It is built against a north-facing slope to improve natural insulation, has a large south-facing glass façade to capture solar heat, and is passively ventilated by a Canadian well. These robust, low-tech and accessible solutions make this building a unique prototype in Europe, which is innovative, compliant with regulations and deeply rooted in its territory.

The Äerdschëff makes no secret of its materials: it champions them as a form of joyful resistance to standardisation in construction. Its south façade is made of recycled windows. The interior walls feature mosaics made from bottles, and some of the furniture is made from repurposed materials. Here, creativity is not a luxury, but a lever for building differently. This raw and functional aesthetic fully reflects the Low Tech Punk philosophy: make do with what you have, make visible what you value.

More than just an eco-friendly building, the Äerdschëff is a living manifesto that champions simplicity, solidarity and the freedom to invent. Every detail – from the masonry heater to the natural cave used as a refrigerator without electricity – tells a story of commitment to a transition firmly rooted in reality. It is a place of experimentation, but also of storytelling: it embodies a different way of thinking about progress, where common sense, aesthetics and practicality come together.

The Äerdschëff is designed to host a wide variety of activities. It features a multipurpose room for training and meetings, a low-tech laboratory for tinkering and testing sustainable solutions, and an integrated greenhouse used for cultivation, thermal regulation and teaching about the water cycle. Each space has been designed to be both functional and demonstrative.

The architecture itself tells a story: that of a building that encourages curiosity, participation and collective intelligence. The technical systems (passive ventilation, water management, inertia heating) are visible and explained. Visitors do not just observe: they manipulate, question and learn. Whether you are a student, teacher, artisan, local elected representative or committed citizen, everyone can find tools here to reinvent their way of living in the world.

Throughout the year, we offer training courses, workshops and participatory projects focusing on the seven areas of ecological and social security (ESS) covered by our Citizen Resilience Fund (CRF): food, housing, education, time sharing, imagination, technology and sustainable transport, each linked to several SDGs.

These activities are open to everyone: young people, adults, volunteers, professionals and anyone who is interested. The approach is always practical, participatory and rooted in reality.

You can view our current training offers on the dedicated page and subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.

More than 1,600 people are trained at Äerdschëff through training courses, guided tours, participatory workshops and thematic modules. The building is 100% energy self-sufficient, thanks to its solar panels, natural ventilation and high-efficiency stove. Between 90% and 100% of the materials used are reused or recycled, drastically reducing its ecological footprint. CO₂ emissions are estimated to be 70% lower than in a conventional building.

Beyond the figures, the impact is also human and cultural: hundreds of young people are discovering the basics of permaculture here, citizens are experimenting with eco-construction, and trainers are leaving equipped to pass on their knowledge to others. Äerdschëff is proof that simplicity can go hand in hand with desire, that transition can be concrete, local and inclusive. It is an invitation to act, here and now, with what we have… and with who we are.

The Äerdschëff is open to visitors, but only by appointment. We organise guided tours one Saturday per month, open to the general public, schools, associations, companies and visiting groups. Weekday visits must be combined with a training session.

Each visit lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours and allows you to discover the building, its low-tech construction principles, its autonomous systems and its educational use.

Available dates are announced on our social media channels. If you are a group, you can also contact us directly to organise a tailor-made visit.

Äerdschëff relies on the active participation of many people. You can get involved in several ways:

• as a one-off volunteer at events or work camps,
• through participatory work camps, open to all levels,
• or as part of a national or international volunteering programme (VOLS, ESC, etc.).

We regularly welcome people who are motivated to learn, share their knowledge or lend a hand. Visit our volunteer page to get involved!

Joining Äerdschëff means playing an active role in the transition.

The Äerdschëff occasionally rents out its space for one-off events, provided that they are in line with its values and/or themes.

The available spaces are modular (multi-purpose room, kitchen, outdoor area, greenhouse, etc.) and equipped in a simple but functional manner.

If you are an association, school or committed collective, please contact us to discuss your project. We will work with you to assess its feasibility, depending on the venue’s schedule and how well it fits with our mission.

As part of our LEADER project, the Äerdschëff opens its doors in the evening to host continuing education activities. We are always looking for trainers or partners who would like to organise workshops, conferences or events related to the ecological transition.

Please contact our team to discuss this further!