Design Concepts for Earth Sheltered Urban Ground-scrapers

Abstract

The history of human housing portrays Earth sheltered homes as dwellings originally
developed for shelter, warmth and security for the earliest human dwellers. Further studies reveal its
thermal efficiency between seasons and energy conservation properties due to its thermal mass
application. A review of typologies identifies various techniques of its design and construction across the
globe. This paper investigates the uniqueness in the design concepts of earth sheltered housing as models
for future earth-contact housing needs based on the energy conservation and thermal performance of this
category of housing. Earth contact characteristics of these types of houses makes for potential energy
conservation in single unit earth sheltered homes; however, large scale concepts consequently possess the
potentials for optimization of thermal and energy performance. Hence communal type concepts are
presented as ideas for urban scale application of Earth sheltered housing.