Practice

Earth-sheltered building

Also known as: Earth-sheltered home, Bermed building, Earth-bermed

Buildings constructed partially or fully below grade, or with substantial earth berms covering walls and sometimes roofs. The earth provides thermal mass and insulation, smoothing temperature swings dramatically. The interior of an earth-sheltered building stays close to the local soil temperature year-round (typically 50-58°F) — vastly reducing heating and cooling demand. Practiced traditionally in dugout homes (Pueblo cliff dwellings, Tunisian troglodyte houses, Cappadocia's underground cities); revived in the 1970s by Malcolm Wells and others as part of the ecological-building movement.

Forms

Underground / fully bermed — entire building below grade except for entrance and skylights
Atrium-style — central open courtyard provides light and air; surrounded by bermed walls
Slope-bermed — built into a hillside; one side fully exposed, others bermed
Earth-roof — flat or low-slope roof covered with soil and vegetation; often combined with above-grade walls

Why earth-sheltering works

The earth at depths of 4+ feet stays at the local soil temperature — generally 50-58°F (10-14°C) in temperate North America, with little seasonal variation. A building enclosed by earth-mass is buffered from outdoor temperature swings: winter cold and summer heat both moderate dramatically before reaching the interior.

For a well-designed earth-sheltered home in a moderate climate, heating demand can be 80-90% lower than a comparable above-grade home; cooling demand similarly reduced. With south-facing apertures ([[passive-solar|passive solar]]), the small remaining heating load can often be met from solar gain alone.

Considerations

Waterproofing — critical; below-grade construction must be detailed for permanent dry interior
Drainage — required around the foundation
Light — earth-sheltered designs need careful aperture planning for daylighting
Ventilation — controlled mechanical or natural ventilation needed; airtight envelopes need fresh air strategies
Cost — typically higher up-front cost than conventional construction; very low operating cost
Permitting — well-understood; codes accommodate earth-sheltered construction

Pioneers and examples

Malcolm Wells (1926-2009) — American architect who advocated earth-sheltered building from the 1970s; Underground Designs (1977)
Don Metz — designed Carter Administration’s first official earth-sheltered home for Stewart Brand
Earth Sheltering Australia — Australian advocacy and design
Cappadocia, Turkey — underground cities (Derinkuyu, Kaymakli) housing thousands; centuries old
Pueblo cliff dwellings — Mesa Verde, Bandelier; substantial earth-sheltering through cave occupation

Sources

The Underground House Book, Stu Campbell (Garden Way, 1980)
Underground Designs, Malcolm Wells (1977)
Multiple earth-sheltering technical publications

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