Earth sheltered homes are an architectural concept that works with nature to push the boundaries of housing design. This article will take a look at this concept, provide an overview of the purpose of the design, the advantages and disadvantages of earth shelters, and some examples of such buildings from around the world.
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What are greenhouses from the earth?
Earth-sheltered homes are, as the name suggests, homes that are protected from the elements. These buildings blend in with their surroundings, providing a modern and organic aesthetic.
There are two types of earth sheltered house designs: underground sheltered houses and earth bunded houses. An underground sheltered house covered on the roof and three external sides with earth, with the entrance exposed. The girder house is built above or partially above the ground and surrounds only the ground with external walls and not the roof, which is usually insulated. Concrete is commonly used for walls in a greenhouse.
Two other types of earth-block houses are height and penetration designs. In the raised parapet design, the other sides, and sometimes the roof, are covered with earth. The floor plans were arranged to maximize common lighting and heat in the common areas and bedrooms, with the exposed front of the house facing south. Skylights are strategically placed to increase light and ventilation in the north facing part of the house.
The house, designed with embankments on the ground, has all external surfaces except for windows and doors. The land is built around and over the building, and more than one side is exposed to provide adequate daylight access and good levels of cross ventilation.
Advantages and disadvantages of land-protected houses
The main advantage of land-protected homes is isolation from the surrounding land. Soils 15 feet deep maintain a fairly constant temperature that reflects the average annual temperature of the surface air. Therefore, if the average annual air temperature is 55 degrees, then in winter less heating is required to reach a comfortable temperature. On the contrary, in summer, the temperature of the soil keeps the building cool compared to an above-ground house.
Other benefits include less maintenance, improved soundproofing, and lower insurance costs due to protection from hailstorms, winds, and natural disasters such as hurricanes and hurricanes. There is a unique aesthetic feature of the land sheltered houses, as they harmoniously blend with the surrounding landscape. In addition, the yard space can be improved in the design of a sheltered house. Earth-sheltered homes are energy-efficient and eco-friendly, and attract the most environmentally conscious home buyer.
However, like all housing designs, earth-shielded homes, both underground and barriers, suffer from drawbacks. The main downside is the cost of construction, which is usually more than a traditional house. Additionally, moisture from the surrounding soil can cause structural problems that require more maintenance than a traditional home design. Extra care must be taken during construction to avoid moisture issues. Reselling may require more care, and there may be hurdles in planning and mortgage for buyers.
How do they push boundaries in design?
Ground Covered Homes is an organically inspired architectural design. They push the boundaries in terms of environmental friendliness, materials, design, and aesthetics. In terms of materials, concrete is the most commonly used building material, but earth-covered homes can make use of other materials such as wood, steel, and recycled and recycled materials. These buildings push the envelope in terms of sustainability, allowing for bold use of design elements that reduce the building’s carbon footprint more than traditional building designs.
Some examples from around the world
Tiny houses with earth mounds in the Croatian countryside. Image Credit: flocu / Shutterstock.com
While nowhere near as close to traditional building designs, there are many examples of guttered homes around the world, some of which have won design awards for their bold and innovative approach to architectural design.
Alan Schop has designed a 1,900-foot-tall home in upstate New York that takes advantage of the natural insulation of the earth’s “cover” around it. The sustainability and environmental friendliness of the house comes from the use of recycled materials in its construction. The paving stones used to be the floors of prison cells, and the exterior includes a copper shimmer that was once used in a mental institution. The two-foot-thick concrete floor is warmed by south-facing windows, so it stays hot on cold days.
In the Outer Hebrides off the Scottish coast, the geospatial house uses polystyrene for its supporting walls and because of its design keeps the harsh weather at bay.
The award-winning Sedum House in Norfolk, UK, designed by Cam Architects, uses green technology such as photovoltaic solar cells, geothermal heat pumps and ICF insulated heat pumps in the walls.
Pioneering home design from the 1970s is Pinnacle House in New Hampshire. Built in a hill slope and facing south, this house is passively heated by sunlight and provides stunning views from anywhere in the dwelling. It was designed in 1971 by Don Metz, a pioneer in the design and construction of green housing.
Examples of earth sheltered homes can be found in France, New Zealand, Australia and Denmark, displaying a wide range of design aesthetics and sustainable technologies.
the future
While still largely niche architectural design, land sheltered homes push the boundaries of design and sustainability in modern architecture. The future may see more of them being built all over the world as the demand for more eco-friendly housing increases among buyers who understand the environmental impact of where they choose to live.
in-depth reading
Energy.gov (2021) Efficiently earth-protected houses [online] Energy.gov. Available at:
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/efficient-earth-sheltered-homes
Kirin (2021) Greenhouses from the earth: an environmentally friendly passive housing alternative [online] Instead of that. Available at:
Earth-Sheltered Home: An Eco-Friendly, Passive Housing Alternative
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