The purpose of this essay is to examine the effects of subterranean living, to analyse the condition of houses that are built under the ground on the basis of small Australian town Coober Pedy. What I am concerned with is in fact the problem of adapting what was probably in origin a natural cave to urban conditions. The main issue that will be examined in this essay is weather living underground is harmful and means living without fresh air and daily light. I have chosen Coober Pedy because it is well known for breathtaking views of the Breakaways that are the most striking and unique example of arid scenery. From the flat - topped mesas to the stony gibber desert, remnants of millions of years provide a wealth of geological interests. Looking out over the breakaways it is hard to believe that over 70 million years ago, a vast inland sea covered the area. It is also home to an array of native fauna and flora, which have successfully adapted to one of the world's harshest environments. However Coober Pedy is not only a touristic attraction but also the leader in mining industry of gem quality opal. It has more than seventy opal fields and the biggest opal mining area in the world. It is possible to buy there from miners with thirty years experience of looking for elusive opals all forms of opal, rough opals, cut opals and opal jewelry. Unfortunately the cure of all 1,5 thausand citizens living there is really high temperature during summer. 30 to 47 degrees C make people searching for a shelter and as a result most of the population live there underground. The subterreanean houses are chilling and enable people to survive the heat. It seems to be the best solution but there is a great debate about the drawbacks of such underground drillings. Is living underground healthy and safe? Do people live like this because they want to or maybe they have no other possibility?

Scientific research lead by University Professor, Dr. Gerhard W. Hacker, Medical Biologist, Endocrinologist, Molecular Scientist, Director of the Research Institute for Fundamental and Fringe Issues in Medicine and Biotechnology at St. Johann’s Hospital in the Salzburg (Austria) Regional Clinics, reveals that living underneath the surface of the earth can cause harmful energy (called Geopathic Stress) and harm the human immune system, as evidenced by a double-blinded, peer-reviewed, 1995 study. Dr. Gehrard W. Hacker made refference to this problem in his report entitled “How to protect yourself” published in AASG Journal and presented it in the form” Living underground can weaken your immune system and make you vulnerable to diseases or illnesses. He validates the Theory that the construction made in drilling do not deliver enough light and as a result causes changing in the structure of skin as well as in blood. The vessels of human body need appropriate amount of daily light to produce sufficient number of white corpuscle that are responsible for the immune system. The skin of people living underground becomes morbidly changed and the taint is pale or even grey. The natural light is also responsible for the production of collagen in human skin, the less contact with the sunlight the more wrinkled the skin is. The following diagram shows the results of the research of dr Irena Eris, who examined two groups of men and women of different ages of which one group had contact with the sunlight for about 2-3 hours daily and

the second group han no contact with the sunlight.

What is more it is possible to get disorientated because of artificial illumination. It is common that while spending time underground, people lose track of time so they do not know wether it is still a day or already a night outside. Such missorientation can result in serious brain dissfunctions, including unprovoked fears, phobias or even a breakdown. Whereas Malcolm Wells, an Architect who used to design underground houses pointed out that "Not only does a living roof restore a dead site to life, it offers silence, permanence,protection from the weather, and of course amazingly low heating and cooling bills It is simply one of the most promising (and overlooked) of ways and is sunny, dry, pleasant and offers huge fuel savings and a silent, green alternative to the asphalt society. " He emphasized that the safety and health are the most important issues when it comes to underground dwellings.

Thus it is no surprise that people have misconceptions because they are of the opinion that such phenomenon seems to be something new and unknown. Though this belief is wrong. The accommodation of under-field living is similar to “cave housing” known from places such as Turkey, Tunisia, Afghanistan, Morocco, Italy, and France, where such solution is quite common and practiced for ages. According to dr. Ramzi Touchan from the University of Arizona “archaeological and historical evidence suggests humans have been living underground for millennia. The earliest human remains come from cave sites, and there is later evidence from around the world of pit-houses, shallow excavations roofed with sticks, mud and thatch, and other semi-subterranean dwellings” It is believed that primitive hu iman beings had no problems with cave housing, so nowadays it should not be problematic at all. Therefore considerable is the fact that many of caves are nowadays man-made so they do not have similar structure to the natural caves into which people simply moved and have to be constructed only in places where it is commonly made and where the structural integrity of the earth is well known. This doubt may be quickly resolved by the statement of Malcolm Wells “Natural light can be provided not only from doors and/or windows facing the outside, but also by light ducts through holes that can be created by modern well-drilling rigs. Such light traps usually have convex Plexiglas covers and reflective ducting that capture and transmit the maximum amount of natural light deep into a cave house. “A

whitewashed cave interior also reflects more light throughout the interior space than one might think. Caves can even accommodate a fireplace. According to the fact that American building industry is highly developed there is no need to be worried about any kind of damages such as meltdown, drowning, tectonical movements. Even the The risk of fire is exceptionally low in an underground dwelling, and reinforced concrete covered by earth offers exceptional fire resistance. thus There is a common misconception that living underground is akin to living in a natural cave, where you would expect conditions to be cool, dank and earthy. A great environment to be a bat, but not ideal for modern living. According to Aaron Hockerton from Hockerton Housing Projekt. ”Underground homes incorporate purpose-built ventilation systems to control indoor air quality and humidity, and condensation is never a problem underground.”Home insurance premiums are substantially lower as a result. However there is the hidden second side of it…Taking into consideration the fact that the safiest głębokość of subterenean house is more then three meters it is easy to calculate that even the glass roof will not zapewniał enough amount of daily light. What is more it is impossible to dostarczyć fresh air there. Living under ground means breathing with air from air condition what according to………

The fact that cave homes have been continually occupied in Granada for at least 500 years, and almost certainly for 1,200 years or longer, is reassuring to those who worry about safety. Caves survive earthquakes and fires. They can also be reinforced. Caves do need to be cared for in order to endure. A closed-up cave, or one where the walls and other surfaces are covered with impermeable materials will result in problems: falling earth, crumbling walls, and possible collapse. This is due to the accumulation of excess moisture, which causes instability in the soil structure. A cave that can breathe is a healthy and safe cave.

The problem of living without daily light may……

In southern Spain, cave houses naturally maintain a steady temperature of around 19-20

degrees centigrade year round.

Building a cave dwelling is relatively inexpensive (though not necessarily cheap),  cave houses can have all the amenities of a regular house (and more), electricity, plumbing, and HVAC are easy to install, and cave houses remain dry and habitable with normal ventilation, unlike many stone caves that can store dampness.

After becoming accustomed to cave living, it is soothing to return to a home with the solidity of the earth and the silence of a church.

There is a range of underground accommodation (as well as above ground if you prefer). There are authentic underground homes to explore as well as underground museums,

The Breakaways are a striking & unique example of arid scenery. From the flat - topped mesas to the stony gibber desert, remnants of millions of years provide a wealth of geological interests and breathtaking views. Looking out over the breakaways it is hard to believe that over 70 million years ago, a vast inland sea covered the area. The region is rich in Aboriginal and European history and is home to an array of native fauna and flora, which have successfully adapted to one of the world's harshest environments. Definitely one of Outback South Australia's best-kept secrets!Location: approximately 33km north of Coober Pedy.

About Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy, in the heart of outback South Australia, is the Opal Capital of the World and is a unique, cosmopolitan town with underground homes, restaurants, shops, churches and walk-in underground mines.

Coober Pedy provides the ideal stopover for travellers heading from Adelaide to Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers Rock). Approximately 850km north of Adelaide and 680km south of Alice Springs on the sealed Stuart Highway, one of the best highways in Australia.

Climate

Coober Pedy has a hot, dry, desert climate. The weather is at its most gentle from April to October with warm sunny days and cool nights. Summer temperatures range from 35 to 47 degrees Celsius. Summer nights are balmy.The annual rainfall is only 175mm. Four Wheel Drive vehicles are urged to take care or avoid unsealed roads after rain.

Here cave buildings do not, as might be expected, exist inside natural rock formations, like at Capadoccia in Turkey or the Tarn Gorge in France. Instead, they are intentional dwelling spaces carved out of hard clay and earth. Buying, refurbishing, or creating a new cave house represents the ultimate in efficient and sustainable living--though please be advised that we would not suggest building a cave house outside of regions where it is common practice and the structural integrity of the earth is well known.  Search 4Escape - The International Lifestyles Search Engine - 4Escape is a search engine that searches our network of websites each of which shares a common theme: International relocation, living ? investing overseas, overseas jobs, embassies, maps, international real estate, asset protection, articles about how to live ? invest overseas, Caribbean properties and lifestyles, overseas retirement, offshore investments, our yacht broker portal, our house swap portal, articles on overseas employment, international vacation rentals, international vacation packages,  travel resources, every embassy in the world, maps of the world, our three very popular eZines . . . and, as they are fond to say, a great deal more.

In Granada, the ancient cave dwelling area extends far beyond the contemporary city, into the hills and ravines of San Miguel Park, where some squatters still live, laying claim to caves without running water or electricity and living rent-free.

In southern Spain, cave houses naturally maintain a steady temperature of around 19-20 degrees centigrade year round. This is quite exceptional in a montane climate like Granada City where summertime temperatures surpass 40 degrees and where it occasionally snows in winter.

Building a cave dwelling is relatively inexpensive (though not necessarily cheap),  cave houses can have all the amenities of a regular house (and more),

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electricity, plumbing, and HVAC are easy to install, and cave houses remain dry and habitable with normal ventilation, unlike many stone caves that can store dampness.

Even those with claustrophobia find modern cave houses quite comfortable.

After becoming accustomed to cave living, it is soothing to return to a home with the solidity of the earth and the silence of a church.

In Granada, the most geographically diverse province in the Iberian Peninsula, there exist distinct concentrations of cave settlement, notably in the historic Albaycin and Sacromonte neighborhoods of Granada City, in Guadix, on the other side of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains, and in the more mountainous region of Baza. The Albaycin and Sacromonte are adjacent hillside neighborhoods, both of which form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Alhambra Palace. They are ancient settlements, with cave dwelling existing at least back to Arab times, well before the 15th century. Guadix and Baza are similarly ancient cities. One likely historical explanation of cave building is that the Arabs brought the tradition with them from the troglodyte abodes of North Africa, starting in the early 700s. The total cave-dwelling population of the three areas runs into the tens of thousands.

Some cave houses are extremely large, having up to ten or more rooms. Here there are specialists in cave construction, renovation, and expansion.

Natural light can be provided not only from doors and/or windows facing the outside, but also by light ducts through holes that can be created by modern well-drilling rigs.

Such light traps usually have convex Plexiglas covers and reflective ducting that capture and transmit the maximum amount of natural light deep into a cave house.

A whitewashed cave interior also reflects

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more light throughout the interior space than one might think. Caves can even accommodate a fireplace, provided that it is placed relatively near the outside wall of the cave thus keeping chimney construction manageable. Built-in bathtubs, toilet alcoves, and closets are a snap for any experienced cave builder.

Cave homes have deeds and are protected by normal property rights in Spain. What happens if you transcend property boundaries or accidentally run into someone else's cave is not clear cut in the law. This is generally only a concern in areas with a high cave house density. Older, historic caves seem to have grandfathered rights, whether or not they penetrate beneath the lands of others.

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Considerations in Cave Construction

We would strongly recommend using a professional builder for any cave creation or renovation. Finding a cave builder is not always easy, though in areas with large concentrations of cave dwellings it is not hard. Anyone considering building an earthen cave dwelling themselves should spend some time in Granada or elsewhere studying cave construction. Cave hotels, apartment rentals, and flamenco night clubs (tablaos) are common in most areas.

One large problem encountered in cave construction in an urban environment is disposal of the excess earth created during excavation. Such cases require hiring a container and dump truck company to haul away up to hundreds of loads of clay, which can be expensive. This problem is compounded by the fact that naturally-

compacted clay expands in volume by three to four times once excavated.

Beyond the earth disposal problem, cave construction is not for the indecisive. Unlike conventional construction techniques, you cannot go back and fix something. Holes, even doorways, can be filled in, but the basic size and shape of a room cannot be easily changed, and can never be put back or shrunk. Rooms can usually be made bigger; ceilings can be made higher; but not visa versa. Don't be afraid to have high ceilings in a cave--it costs almost nothing and makes rooms more livable and interesting. (Remember that once flooring is added, you will loose three to four inches of ceiling height.)

There should be a minimum of three meters of untouched compacted earth above the "ceiling" to prevent water intrusion and keep structural stability. Do not plant trees above your cave home! Grass and small shrubs are fine, but any plants with long roots will lead water down through the ceiling. Ideally, there should be a meter of wall thickness between cave rooms or adjacent caves. These walls can be penetrated by doorways and windows without negative consequences. All ceilings and doorways should be arched or domed, also for structural reasons. Doors should be constructed to allow ventilation and the free flow of air throughout the cave. Fresh air ducts to the more interior of cave rooms is advisable. Some choose to build reinforcing ceiling arches out of masonry for complete peace of mind. We have seen huge, two-story cave projects where the cave itself is dug out with large machinery, such as a backhoe. Today, in California wine country, they do the same to create cost-efficient wine storage for major wineries. Most cave houses, however, were in the past hand dug and these days are created using hydraulic or pneumatic hammers (like small jackhammers) backed up by shovel, pick, wheelbarrow and back-breaking work.

In terms of building codes and municipal planning, cave homes or other structures do not exist. They fail to meet code requirements written around brick & mortar or wood frame construction, and even in Granada, bureaucrats will tell you that "officially" no one should be sleeping in a cave dwelling. This is despite the fact that thousands of people do so every day. In France and Italy, the governments in the 20th century forced cave dwellers to move out, though now these areas are being repopulated. In Spain, the government continued to allow cave living, and both cave neighborhoods of Granada are protected historic areas. The failure to officially recognize the existence of cave houses and businesses does not prevent the municipality from issuing permits for cave "rehabilitation," though in Granada City, no completely new cave dwellings are supposed to be built.

We know of one "rehabilitation" permit that turned what was a single primary room with two much smaller adjacent rooms into a two-bedroom, one full-bath house with a large living room and two entry doors. What was a cave closet became a very spacious kitchen pantry with counter space and wine storage built into the cave wall. In other words, major cave expansion can be done using the permit as a cover. This is common practice in the Albaycin and Sacromonte. Many houses in the upper part of the Albaycin district have cave dwellings attached, and when gentrification occurs, new owners usually want larger and nicer caves. In other parts of Granada Province such as Baza, Galera, and Guadix, cave building is much less restricted, and even new construction is officially condoned.

Many cave houses have a small outer part of the house built with conventional construction. This protects the cave entrance and provides extra space. Services such as electricity and water can also enter here. Alternatively, there can simply be a doorway into the earth, usually with a brick frame and a door of decorative wrought iron, to allow as much light as possible into the cave.

The fact that cave homes have been continually occupied in Granada for at least 500 years, and almost certainly for 1,200 years or longer, is reassuring to those who worry about safety. Caves survive earthquakes and fires. They can also be reinforced. Caves do need to be cared for in order to endure. A closed-up cave, or one where the walls and other surfaces are covered with impermeable materials will result in problems: falling earth, crumbling walls, and possible collapse. This is due to the accumulation of excess moisture, which causes instability in the soil structure. A cave that can breathe is a healthy and safe cave.

We do not recommend placing gas appliances or piping inside caves, for obvious reasons. Plumbing must be laid carefully and tested thoroughly. Bathroom can be put at the most interior part of a cave house without incident, but always bear in mind that water is an earth cave's worst enemy. We recommend installing floor drains to draw away any leaking or excess water (think of a plugged toilet) and perhaps even double piping supply lines--i.e. putting one water tight line inside another in case of leaks or breakage.

Electrical wires run inside conduit that is placed inside channels carved into cave walls or floors. These channels are then covered with a thin coat of the same stucco used to coat the walls, and become invisible. Junction and breaker boxes can likewise be placed in carved out spaces in the cave wall.

In all, the practical requirements of cave construction are simple, efficient, and straightforward, while the creative possibilities are near limitless.

Cave Mania

One cave artist is Pepe "Cuevas" Ruiz, who lives in a cave in Benalua, and is the preeminent cave builder in Granada province. Pepe is crazy for caves. He loves them, and will regale you for hours with the advantages and spiritual significance of cave living. He will smell the earth, analyze the lay of the land, and investigate old caves with enthusiasm. He is a true sculptor, and has probably built and remodeled more caves than anyone else in Spain. In his home town, cave living is the norm, with some caves literally lying on top of one another. Pepe has been on Spanish television and interviewed by major newspapers. A bit eccentric, his well-founded, almost feverish passion for cave dwellings is contagious... and spreading fast.

There are now cave home developments near Almeria, selling turn-key cave homes for around 90,000 euros a piece, and in Granada City, cave homes are becoming something sought after by the numerous wealthy Spaniards and foreigners moving into the historic district. Within the past years, several major British newspapers have published articles on cave living in Spain. In Baza, an entrepreneurial venture has turned caves into a hotel with bath house and spa--it's like having a swimming pool inside your cave (remember our advice about water and earth caves)! Sacromonte now hosts a cave museum that demonstrates traditional methods of cave living followed by the gypsies in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. If you venture out for a flamenco show in Granada, it will most likely be in a cave, and cave hotels and vacation rentals are easy to locate.

Old cave houses in the Granada countryside can still be found for a relatively small investment. Last year, old cave houses in need of renovation were on the market in Granada's pricey Albaycin district for 30,000 to 50,000 euros on small lots with no conventional buildings and no Alhambra views. For finished cave houses, expect to pay eighty to two-hundred thousand euros, depending on the adjoining land that goes with the cave, the views, etc. There are currently cave houses with land advertised for as high as 900,000 euros, with Alhambra views, though we regard this price as extraordinary.

Given the real estate market in Spain, prices will continue to go up. You can also explore areas such as Guadix and either buy existing cave homes or buy land and build, with the latter option probably presenting the best value if you discover a good site.

In choosing a cave builder, search for someone who lives in a cave him or herself. Look at their previous work--Pepe, for one, will be glad to tour you around Guadix looking at cave homes he has built or renovated to get ideas. He or she should have advice on finishes, ideas about room numbers and size, soil type, layout, and ease of excavation, and be able to give a definite price range and timetable for your project. Ask for references, and talk with other experienced cave dwellers.

We rehabilitated one cave house for about 36,000 to 40,000 euros This price did not include purchasing the land. About 18,000 euros went to Pepe, the cave builder, who worked with a crew of 5 men for about three weeks. The rest went into hauling away the excess soil (something that those outside of an urban setting can avoid), electrical, plumbing, ventilation, bathroom finishes, and a handmade terra cotta tile floor. Given its advantages, cave construction is cost effective--think of the tiny or non-existent heating and air conditioning bills alone. In an area with lower land prices than Granada City, cave dwellings can be purchased at very affordable prices and rehabilitated inexpensively, especially if the owner is willing to do some of the work.

Page 1: Types of subterranean homePage 2: Questions and misconceptionsPage 3: Buying an underground dwelling

Anna Heywood – Writer

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Are you seriously considering living underground? Or maybe you are just

intrigued by the idea of a sub-surface home? Either way, this article is for you. We guide you

through the various forms of underground dwelling, as well as the benefits and the feasibility

of buying or building your own.

Living below ground – a new phenomenon?

Archaeological and historical evidence suggests humans have been living underground for

millennia. The earliest human remains come from cave sites, and there is later evidence from

around the world of pit-houses, shallow excavations roofed with sticks, mud and thatch, and

other semi-subterranean dwellings. Ethiopia's 13th century monolithic cave churches are an

amazing example of rock-hewn, underground spaces, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage

Site. In the Chinese region of Shaanxi, caves burrowed out of the soft, loess soil have been

protecting their inhabitants from severe winters and high summer temperatures for thousands

of years. Locals still prefer their cave dwellings to modern, free-standing homes. Similar

examples from around the world indicate that underground dwellings are the ideal solution to

particular ecological problems and, often, a resource shortage such as a lack of wood or

timber which prevents above-ground structures being built.

It seems to have taken modern society a little time to catch on. The potential of underground

living was recognised in the West during the oil shortages of the early 1970s. The desire for

sustainable building and energy efficiency saw a surge in the number of underground

dwellings in the USA and Continental Europe in particular. There are up to 100,000 semi-

subterranean or fully underground dwellings in the USA but, right now, Japan seems to be at

the forefront of underground innovation. This overcrowded island has embraced the concept

of subterranean living like no other nation. Tokyo's land prices have reached incredible levels

– over £4 billion per acre - driving developers underground and giving rise to some ground-

breaking, large-scale projects. The Taisei Corporation's self-contained "Alice City" is an

underground metropolis, which uses valuable underground real estate to recreate an above-

ground office and living space. The huge cylindrical shaft also incorporates power generation,

heating, waste recycling and sewage treatment facilities. Perhaps this is the future of city

living? In the meantime, currently subterranean dwellings make up only a tiny fraction of UK

housing stock – less than 100 out of the UK's 21 million homes are underground. That's a

mere 0.0003%!

Types of subterranean home

In the same way that above-ground houses vary greatly in their construction and appearance,

underground dwellings also differ. These are the major types:

Constructed Caves

These are made by tunnelling or drilling cavities into earth or rock. Essentially the same as a

natural cave, constructed caves differ in that they are man-made. Found throughout the world,

a famous example is the Australian outback town of Coober Pedy. Most residents in this opal

mining town live in caves drilled into the hillside, an effective way to insulate homes from the

scorching summer heat. Constructing a cave can be an expensive and dangerous procedure,

and is very dependent on suitable geology.

Culvert Homes

The dwelling is designed as a series of units, made from precast concrete pipes and

containers. A pit is then excavated and the prefabricated house lowered into it and covered

over with earth. These "cut and cover" dwellings are entirely buried.

Earth Berm Dwellings

A berm is a mound of earth, which offers thermal insulation and protects exterior walls. The

house is constructed above ground, with the berms then added on three or four sides, leaving

either one wall or simply the roof free for access and light. This type of house is classed as

semi-subterranean, and is also referred to as an Earth Sheltered Dwelling.

Elevational Dwellings

The same principle as the berm dwelling, except that the house is built into the side of an

existing hill. The roof is therefore covered with earth, but the front of the home is left open to

the outside. This is one of the most popular forms of underground dwelling and, because of

the large amount of natural light and the fact that the house entrance is at ground level, offers

something of a transition between conventional, above-ground, and underground living for

those who don't want to embrace a totally subterranean lifestyle.

Atrium or Courtyard Homes

These dwellings are built below ground, but have access to outside light via a central

courtyard. The whole footprint of the house is excavated before the walls are built around the

sunken courtyard or garden. Material excavated is often used in the construction of the

dwelling for financial and energy efficiency reasons.

Common questions and misconceptions

How will outside light enter the house?

No need to invest in any night-vision goggles because living underground doesn't mean living

like a badger – in fact a modern subterranean dwelling can be much lighter than a

conventionally built home. "Top lighting", atriums and shafts allow a great deal of light into

the dwelling. Earth-sheltered dwellings are often use glass for the whole of the exposed area,

giving them a bright, spacious feel.

Don't underground dwellings get damp and musty? There is a common misconception that

living underground is akin to living in a natural cave, where you would expect conditions to

be cool, dank and earthy. A great environment if you happen to be a bat, but not ideal for

modern living. Underground homes incorporate purpose-built ventilation systems to control

indoor air quality and humidity, and condensation is never a problem underground.

Is fire a risk?

The risk of fire is exceptionally low in an underground dwelling, and reinforced concrete

covered by earth offers exceptional fire resistance. Home insurance premiums are

substantially lower as a result.

Will I get disorientated if I live underground?

Not at all. Imagine your current home – would you get lost there? A subterranean dwelling is

no different!

So what are the advantages?

The benefits of living underground are manifold. Here are five top reasons to dig subterranean

living:

Energy efficiency – because subsurface temperatures are very stable, underground dwellings

benefit from geothermal mass and heat exchange. This means they stay cool in summer (no

need for air-con) and remain warm in the winter. Typically, energy costs are only 20% of the

average for a conventional house. That means savings of several hundred pounds a year. Solar

power can also be incorporated in the roof or atriums, potentially reducing the energy bill to

zero, or even generating electricity which can be sold back to the grid.

Low maintenance – with hardly any exterior surfaces, underground dwellings don't require

re-pointing, re-painting or other forms of structural maintenance. Mind you, in a culvert or

earth berm dwelling, you will have to mow the roof! Underground dwellings are able to store

and release heat energy over a long period of time, and as the energy used to heat the house

can come from solar power, human body heat and electrical appliances, there is no need for a

central heating or hot water system to be installed or maintained.

Money saving – as well as the energy and maintenance savings, insurance premiums are

lower for underground dwellings. The excavation itself is a possible source of material (stone,

gravel etc.) and build costs can be lower than for a similar conventional house, especially in

areas where land is at a premium. Underground homes have a long life expectancy, so they

also represent a good investment.

Security – with fewer exterior walls, the number of entry points is reduced, making

underground homes much more difficult to burgle. Subterranean dwellings are also much

more resistant to storms, earthquakes and even provide more protection against bombing and

nuclear fall-out.

Environmentally sound – it's possible to minimise the green footprint of a house by going

underground. With a grass-covered soil roof, very little habitat is lost as flora and fauna will

return to the site after the build is completed. Visual disruption is minimised – underground

homes are virtually hidden from view and blend with the natural landscape. Noise pollution is

also much reduced. Their insulating properties make underground homes exceptionally quiet

places to live.

The Hockerton Housing Project, a development of earth-sheltered homes, showcases these

and other benefits of underground living.