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Earth Shelter

1970-2000

Earth-sheltering is a way of constructing buildings using earth against the walls and/or roof to create a natural external thermal mass. While numerous studies have shown that Earth-sheltered construction can reduce heat loss and maintain a constant indoor air temperature, the technique was not utilized in high numbers in Washington State. The construction method is actually one of the oldest forms of building know, dating back to 15,000 BC where migratory hunters in Europe were using turf and earth to insulate simple round huts that were partially sunk into the ground. In fact, the use of some form of Earth-sheltered construction is actually found across many cultures in history, and is distributed widely across the world. These structures have many different forms and are referred to by many different names thoughout our history.

In North America, almost every native American group used earth sheltered structures to some extent. They are often called pit-houses and/or dugouts. When Europeans colonized North America, houses made of sod (often called "soddies") became common on the Great Plains. While these types of structures appear early in the history of the United States, the construction method of Earth-sheltered designs in the U.S. had for the most part disappeared by the turn of the 20th century.

It wasn't until the 1973 Oil Crisis that a renewed interest in the construction technique reemgered.  That year, the price of oil dramatically increased, bringing with it vast social, economic, and political changes worldwide. Combined with growing interest in alternative lifestyles and the “back-to-the-land movement,” people in the U.S. and elsewhere were becoming more interested in saving energy and protecting the environment in relationship to building construction.

Soon, government funded studies, pamphlets, magazines, and books flooded the consumer market touting the benefits of Earth-sheltered design. In 1974, architect and author Malcom Wells had helped establish an Underground America Day (May 14th). In less than xten years in 1983, the first “International Conference on Earth-Sheltered Buildings” was hosted in Sydney, Australia. This was followed by a second conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1986.  

Earth Shelter Map - 1982Due to the mild climate in the Pacific Northwest, Earth-sheltered structures never quite hit the main stream as a construction technique; however, some examples can be found scattered all over the state. A map compiled by Earth Shelter Living Magazine in 1982 shows clusters of Earth-sheltered dwellings in both the east and west sides of the state, as well some in the central part of the state; however, the exact numbers of Earth-sheltered designs and their specific locations in Washington State is unknown.  Based on documents from the era, we do know that numerous people and organizations were pushing the construction method pretty hard in the late 1970s and early 80s.

Among the earliest was the Whatcom County Water District, who constructed an earth-sheltered water treatment facility for the Sudden Valley development on Lake Whatcom in 1971.  A few years later, various consumer groups in Washington began educating the public about the benefits of the earth sheltered design.  Among them was the Washington Aggregates & Concrete Association, which held a seminar on Earth-sheltered structures at the Sea-Tac Red Lion in 1979.  The seminar featured a variety of speakers who talked about engineering, heating, financing and construction detailing. That same year, Spokane Falls Community College held a free two-day workshop on the subject led by architect and professor, Don Stephens. The community college later built a demonstration house on the campus named “Earth Lodge” and Stephens continued to lecture on the subject into the late 1980s including the three-day Earth Homes Conference held at the Tacoma Dome in 1983.  Due to weather conditions, the east side of the state was perhaps a more ideal place for earth shelter designs. In fact, a life-size mock up of various Earth-sheltered techniques was featured at the 1981 “Spokane Home and Energy Show.” Spokane architects Larry Chalmers and Jeremy Jones even co-authored a popular book on Earth-sheltered design,"Homes in the Earth", which featured sketches for 40 different home designs. WSU architectural professor and department chair, David M. Scott, was also strong champion of the construction method and convinced Whitman County and the US Army Corps of Engineers to build an Earth-sheltered ranger residence in Wawawai Park on the Snake River in 1980. The demonstration project received a wide breath of media attention.

Homes in the Earth - 1980As interest grew in the energy saving possibilities at the federal level, the State Energy Extension Service promoted the benefits of Earth-sheltered designs by holding a variety of workshop around the state.  They even issued their own pamphlet on Earth-sheltered housing in 1983.  It coincided with an “Earth Sheltered Home Conference & Expo” in Spokane the same year. Also during this time, national companies such as the Terra-Dome Corporation from Missouri (which offered square, steel-reinforced concrete structures) penetrated the market in the state and opened sales offices in Lake Stevens and Yakima.

Overall, Earth-sheltered construction was, and still is, often viewed by architects, engineers, and the general public as an unconventional method of building. The techniques of Earth-sheltering has not become common knowledge to the construction industry. The cost of excavation, lack of expert knowledge in its construction methods, its increased need for damp-proofing, and stronger structural requirements specific to Earth-sheltered designs has resulted in a relatively rare presence of such structures throughout Washington State.

There are three main types of Earth-sheltered subtypes: Bermed, In-Hill, and Underground.

  • Bermed
    The earth bermed type is perhaps the most common. In this design, earth is banked against the exterior walls, sloping down away from the building. The berm height can be partial or can totally conceal the outside walls. Usually, this type of earth shelter is built on, or only slightly below, the original grade. Due to the building being above the original ground level, fewer moisture problems are associated with earth berming in comparison to underground/fully-recessed construction type. A bermed variation also costs less to construct than other types. According to one report, earth berming provided 90-95% more energy advantage when compared to completely below grade Earth-sheltered structures.

  • In-Hill
    The In-Hill (or "elevation") construction is where the earth shelter is set into a slope or hillside, and earth covers the roof, in addition to the walls. The most practical application is using a hill facing south to capture the best solar gain. In this variation, only one wall is exposed: the wall facing out of the hill; all other walls are embedded within the earth/hill. This is the most popular and energy efficient form of earth shelter, and can be found in cold and temperate climates.
     
  • Underground
    The true Underground (also termed "chambered" or "subterranean") earth shelter describes a building where the ground is excavated, and the structure is set in below the grade. Some feature an atrium or courtyard constructed in the middle of the shelter which provides light and ventilation. The atrium is not always fully enclosed by raised ground, sometimes a U-shaped atrium is used, which is open on one side.

Note that there is a great variation in the approach to Earth-sheltering in terms of the specific construction materials used and exterior detailing. The "low tech" approach might involve natural building techniques, wooden posts and shed style roofs, recycled materials, and owner labor. On the exterior, these types of organic structures often have a whimsical, almost fantasy-like appearance. The “high-tech” approach uses concrete and steel, and synthetic materials. These structures often have a rigid, Brutalist design and appear “bunker-like.” While the low-tech approach may be more energy efficient in their construction technique, the high-tech approach is usually better designed to take in the efficiency of the earth and solar gain. Understanding the site characteristics is of utmost importance in Earth-sheltered construction with three basic elements considered: sun, wind, and views. The construction technique can be found on a variety of buildings types ranging from singles family homes, professional offices, to educational facilities. 


Washington State Examples:

Central Pre Mix Concrete Co.
Spokane - 1979		 Blue Ridge Elementary School
Walla Walla - 1981

House
Marysville - 1986
Elquest Houses
Cheney - 1983		 Ranger Residence
Wawawai County Park - 1981		 House
Spokane - 1981
J.H. Clawson House
Lake Sammamish - 1974		 Rice Paddy Restaurant
Seattle - 1972

Wolfe House
Orondo - 2016

 

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