“The back mass wall is up to the 7th course of bags and another course of foam insulation is about to start. In the video I show how the geotextile is woven through the mass wall making it monolithic. This is an invention by Howard Switzer (the Architect on this project) and he calls it “continuous buttress earthbag walls”. This design eliminates the need for poured concrete buttresses and battering the walls (leaning them back) and allows for a cleaner looking straight walled interior. We have had 300% the normal rainfall this summer in TN and this has resulted in much less progess than was anticipated.
underground house
10 Amazing Underground Homes
So which one is your favorite? My favorite underground house in this video is the Estate Lattenstrasse in Switzerland. It’s not only super beautiful, it’s also energy efficient thanks to being underground and insulated with recycled glass foam insulation. More excellent photos of this house by Vetsch Architektur can be found on Architizer.com.
A Tiny Underground House (plans)
“Only 320 square feet in area, the house offers all a person needs at a modest cost. (I once spent 2 happy years in a 225 sq. ft. house.) Energy-efficient, silent, dry, and easy on the land. Floor plan, elevation, perspectives, and a construction section.”
Underground PAHS House: Stone Wing V6
“Design on the stone wing concept is being revived after a brief hiatus. My underground home project is growing to include a sunroom / atrium entryway that will give more exposure for PAHS efficiency, and the overall layout has changed drastically to accommodate a larger common area. Check out the attached rough sketch – more to come!”
Underhill – The Magical Hobbit-Like Eco Cave House
“This week we visit Underhill, an incredible hobbit-home like, eco-cave house built into a hillside. The off-the-grid house is cleverly constructed to resemble a cave. With no electricity in the house, the stone, wood and rustic features truly make you feel like you’re stepping back in time.”
How to Build Your Own Underground Home
Free ebook on Scribd: How to Build Your Own Underground Home, 2nd edition, 212 pages, by Ray G. Scott. He’s authored three previous books about underground houses. Scott explains how you can cut your heating cost 75% in an underground home. He cut his heating bill 100% by installing a wood stove and cutting his own wood.