Earth Sheltered Design
From Swikipedia
Introduction
Earth Sheltered Design is a home design that is partially or totally below ground, either by digging into existing topography or filling over parts of the structure. It is simply using earth against the walls for external thermal mass, to reduce heat loss and to easily maintain a steady indoor air temperature. Earth sheltered design uses the constant temperature of the soil to improve energy efficiency and can be beneficial on hilly sites to decrease maintenance and environmental impact.
In other words, earth sheltered design employs the earth as a major component of a building’s thermal control system.
Brief Description
Earth sheltering is not a new concept, it has been around for nearly as long as humans have been constructing their own shelter. But in today’s times, this concept is again gaining popularity among the advocates of passive solar and sustainable architecture.
Types of Earth Sheltering Construction
Earth berming: Earth is piled up against exterior walls and packed, sloping down away from the house. The roof may, or may not be, fully earth covered, and windows/openings may occur on one or more sides of the shelter. Due to the building being above ground, fewer moisture problems are associated with earth berming in comparison to underground/fully recessed construction.
In-hill construction: The house is set into a slope or hillside. The most practical application is using a hill facing towards the equator (south in the Northern Hemisphere and north in the Southern Hemisphere). There is only one exposed wall in this type of earth sheltering, the wall facing out of the hill, all other walls are embedded within the earth/hill.
Underground/fully recessed construction: The ground is excavated, and the house is set in below grade. It can also be referred to as an Atrium style due to the common atrium/courtyard constructed in the middle of the shelter to provide adequate light and ventilation.
References:
http://www.greenbuildingcookbook.info/Glossary.html
