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Earth-Sheltered / Underground House Plans. Arc House Defined by an arc, this gently curving house uses passive solar design to capture the sun’s energy during the day and then store it in its interior mass to stabilize interior temperatures, even in cold climates.
If an earth shelter or underground house is constructed properly it is also very earth friendly, in terms of material usage and energy consumption. Earth berm houses are one of the most environmentally or eco-friendly homes available. Plan 10376.
Jul 2, 2024 · Underground house plans exemplify innovative approaches to sustainable living, integrating homes seamlessly into natural landscapes. Explore our comprehensive collection of underground house plans designed to blend seamlessly with natural landscapes, offering sustainable and efficient living solutions.
Jan 2, 2024 · Underground house plans offer an innovative and sustainable approach to modern living. These eco-friendly home designs take advantage of subterranean living to create energy-efficient housing solutions.
- What Is An Earth-Sheltered Home?
- Important Concepts Involved in Earth-Sheltered Home Construction
- Benefits of An Earth-Sheltered Home
- Design Challenges of An Earth-Sheltered Home
- Inspirational Pictures
- Earth Sheltered Home Plans and Design Notes
- Reference Books on About Earth Sheltered Homes
An earth-sheltered home is one that uses a large quantity of earth (dirt, soil, subsoil, etc.) as a protective barrier on a good portion of the exterior of the house. The exact portion varies greatly from one design to another as you will see shortly. However, in every case, many tons of earth will be piled around and/or on the home. Some of these ...
There are a few considerations and concepts when it comes to constructing an earth-sheltered home. Let us look at some of them
Building Material is Dirt Cheap
The main material used in the construction of these homes is obviously earth of some sort. Usually, this dirt is taken from the house site directly or from somewhere else on the same property on which the house is being constructed. This means that the cost of this material is only the price of renting a backhoe or other dirt-moving machine – unless you are very handy with a shovel, in which case it is free!
More Consistent Interior Temperatures
The biggest benefit of earth-sheltered homes is that they remain at a much more consistent interior temperature. This has huge implications as to the energy required to heat and cool your house. A house that naturally stays cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter will require far less fuel to heat and cool than a standard house.
Blends into the Landscape
Many conventional homes stand out like a sore thumb, and not a pretty sore thumb. These homes are also bland in the sense that the exact same home can be plopped down pretty much anywhere in the world without thought to the surrounding landscape. However, these earth-sheltered homes meld with the earth itself – oftentimes disappearing from view completely from several different vantage points. This makes for a home that nestles into its place as the landscape hugs the house, becoming almost o...
Admittance of Light
All earth-sheltered homes are going to have to overcome the problem of getting enough light into the house. Many of these homes naturally only admit light from one cardinal direction (generally south). This makes any rooms that are not directly on the southern wall dark, and even the rooms on the south side will have strong and harsh shadows as everything is lit from only a single direction. To remedy this, you will need to either use skylights or cut through the berm on the other sides of th...
Weight of Earth
Dirt is heavy. Wet sand and clay can be upwards of 110 pounds per cubic foot. That is both a boon and a difficulty that needs to be overcome. Structures that are completely buried in it will need some strong structural support. Many underground homes will have a poured concrete roof that is then waterproofed and covered in a thick layer of earth. While a wooden framed roof of adequate size can support a lighter living roof, only concrete will be strong enough to support a thick layer of earth...
Moisture Issues
In some ways, these houses resemble the average basement or cave, neither of which is known for being dry. And unless you are in a very arid region, like the American southwest, a buried or partially-buried house is going to have moisture issues that need to be dealt with in the planning stages. The building needs to be completely wrapped in a correctly placed waterproof membrane. This is especially true for the roof. There are many different choices for a waterproof membrane from bitumen, to...
So now that we have gone through the technical details of building an earth-sheltered home, let’s look at some examples of these homes that people have built around the world. No two are alike, as you will quickly see.
Plans for sale for earth-sheltered living roof homes, earth-bermed homes, and an earthship planat Dream Green Homes.Mar 7, 2024 · Underground House Plans are blueprints that offer a unique approach to residential construction. These plans involve the construction of living spaces below the surface of the earth, providing a myriad of benefits ranging from enhanced sustainability to increased security.
People also ask
How do you build an underground home?
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What is an in-ground home?
Structural Design: In-ground homes require specialized structural engineering to ensure stability and withstand earth loads. Proper drainage systems and waterproofing measures are essential to prevent water infiltration. Natural Lighting: Designing for natural light is crucial in underground homes.
