For many years, housing has been the basic element of human life, providing protection from external elements and enabling survival. Underground homes are one of the ancient housing styles used for survival against animals or rivals and to protect from all external weather elements, including wildfires, heavy rain, and intense sun exposure. In the modern world, this construction style is gaining increasing attraction due to its numerous benefits and aesthetically pleasing appearance. This unusual house style requires many things to be taken care of. Read this blog to understand them with a few major examples across the world.
What Are Underground Homes?
You can understand an underground home as a residential structure that is built partially or entirely below the earth’s surface. It is also called an earth-sheltered house. In the old days, these structures were used as a hiding spot. In the current scenario, they are a great energy-effective option, creating a comfortable environment.
Major Types of Underground Houses
You can select from numerous designs, primarily categorised into three styles: berm, atrium, and elevational style.
1. Berm-Style Underground Homes
A berm-style home, also called a penetrational style. Here, the structure is constructed on flat land or a very small hill, but it is earth-covered on all sides, leaving just the front door and windows exposed. This home style will have one facade open and the other three sides covered. You can consider this if you prefer the most flexible underground home style. A penetrational-style home can be almost completely covered with earth, or you can just cover one wall and leave the rest uncovered. You could also cover the sides and the roof, leaving the front and back open, which makes it a ‘see-through home.’
2. Atrium-Style Underground Homes
If you know about general Atrium home design, you can easily understand an Atrium-style underground home. Here, the house will be configured inward, in a U-shape. You can also refer to this as a “courtyard” style. If you prefer the most privacy, it will be a better fit for you. Make sure the structure is carefully designed with an adequate drainage system, including an atrium. If not, the center atrium area can easily fill with snow and water.
Another way to use an Atrium-style home is on land that is usually considered less desirable for traditional homes, such as sloped or uneven land. This kind of home is usually built lower than the road, so the roof is at ground level or just above the road. This makes it possible to put a garage and a second entrance on top of the house. The roof can also be used as a play area, a covered porch, or a garden.
3. Elevational Style Underground Homes
In Elevational Style Underground Homes, the structure will be built into the side of a hill. Here, three sides of the home will be covered in earth, and one side will remain open to allow natural light and ventilation. Compared to other common types of houses, this style of home typically faces south to maximise sun exposure. This is the least expensive style to build.
There are many choices available, depending on the layout and style you want. For example, if you enter the house from above, you can add a garage and more rooms on top of the house. This means you can have a second or even third floor, and you can access the garage by either taking the stairs or using the elevator.
You will also get more cooling because the ground above gives shade, and you can use the ‘chimney effect’, which pulls hot air up and out, helping to cool and air out your whole house. You can also save even more energy by using the thick walls to store heat or cool air, thanks to natural airflow.
Benefits of Earth-Shelteres Homes
By opting for underground homes, you can enjoy the following benefits:
Energy Efficiency & Temperature Control
If you are searching for the most energy-efficient house construction that also maintains sustainable building practices, underground house construction is the best option. Because the structure will be built below ground level, it reduces direct sun exposure, thereby reducing heating and cooling costs. Here, the earth acts as a natural insulator, regulating the heat inside. This results in approximately an 80% reduction in energy costs.
Durability & Protection
Since the hidden underground houses cover the maximum surface area, you can save on building material costs. This resilient design also protects itself from wind, fire, and earthquakes, providing a secure and safe environment in extreme weather conditions. If you live in tornado-prone areas like the eastern states of West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, investing in an underground tornado-safe home provides peace of mind.
Noise Reduction & Privacy
For people who prefer quiet spaces, underground homes offer exceptionally quiet living, thanks to the surrounding earth’s noise insulation. This soundproof space promotes healing, providing greater privacy.
Eco-Friendly & Aesthetic Appeal
Underground houses are eco-friendly, having minimal impact on the local ecology. Create a cohesive, attractive, and regional landscape. Compared to typical homes, underground homes minimise energy consumption and carbon emissions by more than 70% over their lifetime.
Drawbacks of Underground Homes
Although underground homes offer numerous benefits, they are not easy to build and maintain compared to regular homes. You need to be more conscious of the following itching areas:
Moisture & Ventilation Issues
Since underground homes come into direct contact with the earth, they are more likely to experience dampness, mould, and water leakage. Thus, focus on proper waterproofing through damp-proof membranes to avoid condensation and mould growth.
Construction Costs & Complexity
Building an underground home involves a complicated design that demands expert designers and labourers. Therefore, you need to keep the higher initial costs.
Limited Natural Light
Since underground homes have a limited number of doors and windows, their lighting requirements will greatly depend on artificial lighting. While skylights, atriums, and light wells offer partial solutions, achieving adequate daylight remains a significant challenge, mainly for deeper or fully subterranean designs.
Accessibility & Market Value
Since this structural design is unconventional, most buyers are not interested in these layouts. If you want to sell these structures, you may face difficulty in finding buyers. You may need to wait for a long period until you get premium buyers. It can be challenging for seniors or individuals with disabilities to access this house, which may require significant retrofits, further reducing its market appeal.
Some Major Examples of Earth-Sheltered Homes
There are numerous examples available across the world, the following are some of them:
Villa Vals in Switzerland
This structure is built without harming the landscape in the Swiss Vals village. The house is accessed through a tunnel that connects to a converted traditional barn, preserving the area’s charm. It includes a central courtyard surrounded by a large facade with large window openings. The house is designed to be a modern “hobbit lair” and incorporates sustainable elements, such as hydroelectric power and a ground-source heat pump.
Aloni House Greece
This is a subtropical house designed by Deca Architecture, which uses a natural range of materials. Due to the use of natural materials, the energy efficiency of the structure is enhanced, creating a creative, attractive, seamless look that complements the rugged terrain of Greece’s Antiparos island. The Alon’s House Plan include five inner areas enclosed by four courtyards, carved into the landscape. The interior space is created with large windows to let in sunlight to penetrate the home, while shelter and ground support protect the home from bad weather and excessive solar exposure.
China, Underground Habitats
In China, “dikengyuan”, a traditional type of courtyard cave home, is built. According to academic literature, they emerged approximately 7,000 years ago. The rooms were dug into loose, dry ground, primarily to combat the extreme temperatures of the hot summers and cold winters. While some people still live in these houses, many have been converted into tourist attractions.
Earth-Sheltered Villa in Murbad, India
This Hobbit-inspired cave home by SaffronStays AsanjA, located in Murbad, brings storybook charm to life. The home features a refreshing plunge pool and a lush garden, seamlessly blending comfort with nature for a cozy, unique living experience.
Building an Underground Home In India
Since earth homes differ greatly from conventional houses, they demand special care and professional guidance. Constructing an underground house in India involves strict legal and regulatory considerations. As per Indian government regulations, basements or underground spaces are not permitted for residential use. Building bylaws clearly state that such spaces cannot be included in the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and may only be used for purposes like storage, dark rooms, bank cellars, parking, or housing air-conditioning equipment.
If you intend to use a basement or underground area, you must obtain approvals and complete the necessary documentation with local authorities. Additionally, an indemnity bond is required to cover potential damage to pipelines or sewer connections during excavation. For detailed guidance, it is advisable to consult construction experts.
FAQs about Underground Homes
What is the underground house?
A residential structure built partially or entirely below the earth’s surface.
What are the advantages of living underground?
By choosing cave homes, you can easily achieve energy efficiency, reduce your ecological footprint, and minimise land usage, while also gaining protection from extreme weather.
What are the risks of underground houses?
You may require more artificial lighting, and providing sufficient ventilation for elders or children can be challenging. Managing humidity can be difficult, and securing financing or insurance might be more complex.
Hemali Patel