Share your opinion about earth sheltering houses here!

Earth sheltering is the architectural practice of using earth for external thermal mass against building walls.

Earth, because of its high density, undergoes slow temperature changes and thus presents a fairly constant exterior temperature at the wall. In most of the United States, the average temperature of the earth once well below the frost line is around 55 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 15 degrees Celsius). Thus, at the base of a deep earth berm, the house is heated against an exterior temperature gradient of perhaps ten to fifteen degrees, instead of against a steeper temperature grade where air is on the outside of the wall instead of earth. In the summer, the temperature gradient actually helps to cool the house.

Works well but I'd never be able to sell one. I don't think any of the big homebuilders could sell one too. Most people don't think they'd like to live small dark places like caves (although a cubby hole in kowloon really isn't that much different). Technically fine but more workable in institutional or commericial environments.

I definitely support earth sheltering or greening of building structures. It's one of the best ways in cutting energy cost specially in very hot areas. I use to live in a bedroom where almost half of the bedroom height was below ground level and I tell you all year round the room was constantly cool even if it was scorchingly hot outside. Depending on design the interior of the structures doesn't have to be dark. Some application have been on the roofs just like this one shown in the pic (a los angeles school)
http://www.ladowntownnews.com/content/articles/2006/06/05/news/news03.jpg

I definitely support earth sheltering or greening of building structures. It's one of the best ways in cutting energy cost specially in very hot areas.

Southern California and Arizona have very hot summer--- the terrible heat however, does make the region on the edge of the most advanced architectural technologies and designs--- this greatly reduces both heating costs in winter and cooling costs in summer, a very brilliant idea for architecture in dry areas--- this actually works like a cave, as bustero stated. I think the original idea of earth-sheltering is probably inspired by natural caves.

Actually Bill Gates, the richest man around the world, lives in an earth-sheltering house. And this idea is the most popular in Southern California and Arizona, compared to other parts of the world.

Earth sheltered or Earth bermed? Earth sheltered usually refers to underground homes, with only one or two sides exposed, while Earth bermed are usually built above grade, but have an earth berm on one or more sides to provide insulation.

If you are looking for a traditional style house in an underground home, I doubt you are going to find a lot of people looking at them. However, if you are in an area that can appreciate more modern/contemporary designs, then underground or bermed homes are a great option. Unfortunately they have a few bad marks against them. #1 people assocaite underground homes wiht basements, which people also associate with mold and water. #2 early Earth homes were a bit hippyish, and that havn't completely shaken that image yet. #3 a number of realotrs and real estate appraisers are very nervous about working with newer designs, and so they really don't do a great job selling or rating them.

I have seen some incredible examples of earth homes, and even in every day usage, a modern finished basement is in fact an earth home in part. Unfortunately I think traditional design sometimes wins out over practicality.

If you are looking for a traditional style house in an underground home, I doubt you are going to find a lot of people looking at them. However, if you are in an area that can appreciate more modern/contemporary designs, then underground or bermed homes are a great option. Unfortunately they have a few bad marks against them. #1 people assocaite underground homes wiht basements, which people also associate with mold and water. #2 early Earth homes were a bit hippyish, and that havn't completely shaken that image yet. #3 a number of realotrs and real estate appraisers are very nervous about working with newer designs, and so they really don't do a great job selling or rating them.


In Midwest North America, despite tornado frequently strikes the region, people rarely consider modern/contemporary designed homes--- the reason behind this, is not usually because of limited land (which is the case in Asia or Europe), but most of the population cannot afford such design--- this would inevitably increase normal house price by more than 50%.

Not really. I am not talking high modern, fancy materials. I am simply talking about contemporary or unusual designs. something other than a two story colonial or cape or a basic ranch.

I often wondered why the mid west did not get more involved with earth-bermed houses. I think it may have something to do with the convenience of building in wood versus concrete. I mean, we build basements, right? I think that there is also an image problem, where non-traditional designs are either seen as too "earthy" or too modern.

I think that there is also an image problem, where non-traditional designs are either seen as too "earthy" or too modern.

Wood houses are much cheaper and thus keeping the price competitive in this region--- Northern Midwest is very different from the more industrialised coasts--- we don't have earthquakes, or very dense population which forces us to build very packed. And, the most important reason of that is, could most middle-class in the region afford any houses above $300,000, which is very normal in both coasts--- most of them would certainly favour larger space, and like to stick with traditional designs. Northern Midwest, as well as New Zealand, Finland or Ireland, are currently lagging very far behind other developed parts of the world.

Soil as insulation is one of my favorite innovations in architecture. I think it would be pretty cool if you could get soil and trees and grass on top of a really tall sky scraper. Though, it would be rather pointless other than looking really cool because it would insulate the top few floors and those are generally vacant in sky scrapers.