this post was submitted on 03 Jun 2024
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Tldr: build a hobbit hole
One of my friends grew up in a house his dad's company built.
It has a super tiny, almost bungalow-sized building on the surface that's basically a glorified sitting room for entertaining a few guests, and one bedroom.
Then behind door #2 is a staircase leading to the actual house, mostly underground.
If you look behind the fence that surrounds what appears to be a back yard, it's about 3ft of roof sticking out of the ground.
I'm not an architect or engineer, so I just assumed there were technical reasons he didn't want the house completely underground, cause that seems to me like it would be better to have it completely buried if you're going for energy efficiency and things like that. Although now that I say that, I imagine you'd want some natural lighting. Maybe a good compromise? No idea.
Too bad we lost touch, because I'd love to ask his dad more questions about how it was designed and built. I remember the few times I was there it was always cool, but never cold in winter and never hot in summer.
Nice idea, but in my area for example this wouldn't be a good solution. I live in a flood prone area.
Luckily there are many different solutions. What I find quite interesting are simple techs that also don't require electricity, like a heat chimney, or a air supply from underground, air-flow designs in general.
Also, with already built houses there are even simple possibilities. What I've done successfully is letting a tree grow on the south west side, now in the evenings my walls and with that the inside area is much cooler.
This particular house was on a decent sized hill in the middle of a large flat area. I think the sea would have to rise 750ft or the closest river would have to flood half a state for it to flood their house. It wouldn't work in my area either. I live in a large valley.
It definitely requires tons of money to do. I wonder if they've made back the difference in savings yet?
People really underestimate what a couple trees can do when strategically placed. Or how drastic the temperature difference can be between flat lawn and cops of trees. They're giant cellulose and lignen heat sinks.