Earth Sheltering
Wikipedia:
Earth sheltering is the architectural practice of using earth against building walls for external thermal mass, to reduce heat loss, and to easily maintain a steady indoor air temperature. Earth sheltering is popular in modern times among advocates of passive solar and sustainable architecture, but has been around for nearly as long as humans have been constructing their own shelter
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Earth House.com
The hub for information on Earth Sheltered news and updates. If your interest leans towards the underground, technical publications on alternative ideas, disaster ideas helping to prepare you for the world that's coming.
Earth House.com |
Earthship Biotecture
Earthship Biotecture, based in Taos, NM, USA is a global company offering proven, totally sustainable designs, construction drawings & details, products, educational materials, lectures / presentations, consultation & guidance toward getting people in sustainable housing.
Earthship Biotecture |
Earthship Landing Zone (Taos, NM)
Just west of the Taos Gorge Bridge is what I call the "Earthship Landing Zone." This is a subdivision composed only of earthships, a type of alternative housing that incorporates car tires packed with dirt into the construction of the outer walls. Most of the house is bermed into the ground with only the southern walls exposed, allowing for passive solar heating and light. It's a very effective method of building in a desert setting, as long as the car tires are suitably sealed and the home is properly vented (with this southern exposure they can get too hot if not vented properly).
Earthship Landing Zone (Taos, NM) |
Malcolm Wells.com
Interest in underground houses peaked in the 1970s as the Arab oil embargo drove energy sky high. Since then, demand has dropped, with only 100 earth-covered houses being built at any time nationwide. You can still make a difference by building gently on the land!
Malcolm Wells.com |
Rocky Mountain Research Center - Earth Sheltered Homes (PAHS)
Passive Annual Heat Storage (PAHS) is a method of collecting heat in the summertime, by cooling the home naturally, storing it in the earth naturally, then returning that heat to the home in the winter. It includes extensive use of natural heat flow methods, and the arrangement of building materials to direct heat from where ever we get it to where ever we want it, all without using machinery to make it work. With the rising cost of energy, all home builders should get familiar with basic PAHS principles.
Rocky Mountain Research Center - Earth Sheltered Homes (PAHS) |
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