"An earth shelter, also called an earth house, earth bermed house, or underground house, is a structure (usually a house) with earth (soil) against the walls, on the roof, or that is entirely buried underground."
A home that is built into the earth or using materials from the surrounding environment.
Building with natural materials: How to construct homes using materials readily found on site, including adobe, cob, straw bales, and earthbags.
Passive solar design: How to utilize the sun's energy to heat and cool the house naturally, reducing energy consumption and costs.
Water conservation: Techniques for collecting, storing, and using rainwater, as well as managing wastewater and other graywater.
Permaculture and regenerative design: Systems for growing food, managing soil health, and creating sustainable landscapes around the home.
Energy-efficient building systems: Technologies for generating electricity and heating and cooling the home, such as solar panels, geothermal, and radiant heating.
Green building certifications: Understanding different certifications, including LEED, Passive House, and Living Building Challenge, and how to achieve them.
Building codes and regulations: Navigating the building codes and obtaining permits for building earth homes.
Design and construction: How to design and build a home that is structurally sound, healthy, and aesthetically pleasing.
Indoor air quality: Understanding how to create healthy indoor environments using natural ventilation, air filtration, and non-toxic materials.
Disaster-resistant construction: Techniques for building homes that can withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes.
Community-building: How to engage with and connect to other earth home builders and living in a cooperative way.
Maintenance and repair: Keeping up with the maintenance and maintenance of the earth homes.
Costing and financing: Understanding the costs and financing options for building earth homes, including loans and grants.
Cob houses: These homes are made from a mixture of sand, straw, and clay, and are formed into large blocks that are used to construct the walls of the house. The natural materials used in these homes make them excellent for insulation.
Earth bag homes: Earthbag homes are constructed using long tubes filled with dirt and stacked on top of each other. The bags are reinforced with barbed wire and are placed on top of a foundation, creating a sturdy structure.
Rammed earth homes: These homes are constructed by pouring layers of damp earth into forms and then compressing the soil with a rammer. This results in a solid, energy-efficient structure that can withstand earthquakes and high winds.
Straw bale homes: Straw bale houses are made by stacking bales of straw in a horizontal pattern, much like building with bricks, and then covering the walls with plaster or adobe. Straw bale homes are great at regulating temperature and are incredibly inexpensive to build.
Earth sheltered homes: Earth sheltered homes are built into the ground and are typically covered with a layer of earth, which acts as insulation. These homes can withstand extreme weather conditions and have little impact on the surrounding environment.
Underground homes: Built into hillsides or underground, these structures use the earth as insulation to maintain a consistent temperature. They are typically built with natural materials and have a minimal environmental impact.
Tadelakt homes: These homes are made using a North African plastering technique that involves the use of natural lime and pigments to create a waterproof seal. The plaster is polished with a river stone to create a unique, textured finish. Tadelakt homes are incredibly durable and long-lasting.
"Earth acts as thermal mass, making it easier to maintain a steady indoor air temperature and therefore reduces energy costs for heating or cooling."
"Earth sheltering became relatively popular after the mid-1970s, especially among environmentalists."
"The practice has been around for nearly as long as humans have been constructing their own shelters."
"An earth shelter, also called an earth house, earth bermed house, or underground house..."
"...with earth (soil) against the walls, on the roof, or that is entirely buried underground."
"Earth acts as thermal mass, making it easier to maintain a steady indoor air temperature..."
"...therefore reduces energy costs for heating or cooling."
"...especially among environmentalists."
"Earth sheltering became relatively popular after the mid-1970s, especially among environmentalists. However, the practice has been around for nearly as long as humans have been constructing their own shelters."
"Earth acts as thermal mass, making it easier to maintain a steady indoor air temperature..."
"Earth sheltering became relatively popular after the mid-1970s..."
"Earth acts as thermal mass, making it easier to maintain a steady indoor air temperature and therefore reduces energy costs for heating or cooling."
"An earth shelter, also called an earth house, earth bermed house, or underground house..."
"...with earth (soil) against the walls, on the roof, or that is entirely buried underground."
"The practice has been around for nearly as long as humans have been constructing their own shelters."
"Earth acts as thermal mass, making it easier to maintain a steady indoor air temperature..."
"...therefore reduces energy costs for heating or cooling."
"Earth sheltering became relatively popular after the mid-1970s, especially among environmentalists."
"The practice has been around for nearly as long as humans have been constructing their own shelters."