Subterranean Living: Embracing Sustainable Underground Homes

The History and Popularity of Earth Sheltering

The concept of earth sheltering, better known as underground homes, is steeped in rich history that spans across centuries and civilizations. This architectural design, which involves the construction of homes with earth against the walls, on the roof, or entirely buried underground, has been integral to various cultures around the world. The ancient Pueblo people in the American Southwest, for instance, utilized earth sheltering techniques to create their dwellings, capitalizing on the earth’s natural insulation to maintain steady indoor temperatures throughout the changing seasons. Similarly, archaeological findings in regions such as Spain and Italy reveal the presence of underground dwellings, demonstrating the wide-ranging appeal and practicality of this architectural approach.

The 1970s marked a significant turning point in the popularity of earth sheltering, largely driven by escalating concerns about environmental sustainability and energy conservation. This era saw a resurgence in passive architectural design, which aims to reduce the ecological footprint of residential structures. The energy crisis of the early 1970s also played a crucial role in propelling the concept of earth sheltering into the mainstream, as individuals and…