{"id":3900,"date":"2015-05-06T13:37:20","date_gmt":"2015-05-06T13:37:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/?p=3900"},"modified":"2018-02-22T12:11:32","modified_gmt":"2018-02-22T12:11:32","slug":"unbelievable-underground-homes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/unbelievable-underground-homes\/","title":{"rendered":"Unbelievable Underground Homes!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- SEO Ultimate Plus (https:\/\/seoultimateplus.com) - Code Inserter module -->\n<script async>(function(s,u,m,o,j,v){j=u.createElement(m);v=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0];j.async=1;j.src=o;j.dataset.sumoSiteId='b68b392479b5981b8acf46565e9fe32a0734fc21a1f7c1e60121eaa6ca1a1c64';v.parentNode.insertBefore(j,v)})(window,document,'script','\/\/load.sumo.com\/');<\/script>\n<!-- \/SEO Ultimate Plus -->\n\n<p>As space in highly desired districts dwindles, architects are looking for new ideas in ever more unlikely places. Some have looked towards the sky, some below the surface of the sea, and others turn their minds downwards and think subterranean. It\u2019s the latter we\u2019ll be goggling at today.<\/p>\n<p>Underground <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"House\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/house\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/house;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.03jm5;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/House\" >houses<\/a> are not just for Hobbits and Wombles &#8211; the concept has been around for millennia and is a popular choice for anyone who is especially environmentally inclined. Here are five examples to inspire your own imagination into plumbing new depths.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a01.\u00a0<strong>Beneath The Meadows<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2010\/05\/dzn_Cottages-at-Fallingwater-by-Patkau-Architects-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Already a site of architectural significance, the area around <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Fallingwater<\/span><\/strong> &#8211; a famous organic design by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.franklloydwright.org\/\">Frank Lloyd Wright<\/a> \u2013 will be the new location for a range of underground structures that are barely distinguishable from the rolling meadows around them.<\/p>\n<p>Designed by <em>Patkau Architects<\/em> of Vancouver, the <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"plans\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/plan\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/plan;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.018jrr;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Plan\" >plan<\/a> for these abodes is to provide <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/housing\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/housing;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.0q3zhcj;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Housing\" >housing<\/a> for visiting students of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.fallingwater.org\/\">Fallingwater Institution\u2019s<\/a> educational programs. What an inspirational experience for these pupils of architecture!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2010\/05\/dzn_Cottages-at-Fallingwater-by-Patkau-Architects-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"255\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>2. A Contemporary Cave Dweller<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/www.inhabitat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/festus-01.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"537\" height=\"368\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This cave is no <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"homes\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/housing-estate\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/housing_estate;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.01rtvp;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Housing_estate\" >home<\/a> to bats or bears or mountain lions. It is in fact <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"homes\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/home\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/home;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.01l0mw;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Home\" >home<\/a> to a gorgeously designed <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"Modern architecture\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/modern-architecture\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/modern_architecture;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.01tv5c;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Modern_architecture\" >modern<\/a> house and its owners. The quirky construction is set in the sandstone landscape of Festus, Missouri and takes up a remarkable 15,000 square feet, all underground. It is equipped to the brim with environmental considerations, including geothermal heating and recycled oak flooring. The naturally insulating <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"property owner\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/title-property\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/title_property;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.01gzht;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Title_(property)\" >property<\/a> of the surrounding sandstone also means that central heating and air conditioning systems are not needed.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>3. Your Very Own Winter Lair<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/s3-production.bobvila.com\/slides\/2937\/widened\/hobbitswisssnow.jpg?1395859048\" alt=\"\" width=\"390\" height=\"390\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever fancied yourself as a bit of a Bond villain with a hide-out in the Swiss Alps, then this is the place for you. Skiers and hikers will be completely oblivious to your whereabouts as they wander around on your roof in the town of Vals\u2026 until they fall onto your patio that is. Equipped with stunning views and subterranean insulation, you\u2019ll be helping to save the planet as well as trying to destroy it (given of course that you\u2019re a villain bent on the total annihilation of the world). Here\u2019s that view I was talking about:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\" http:\/\/www.hitherandthither.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/201111030402.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"389\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>4. Underground Eco-Home in&#8230; Bolton (yep, Bolton)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/assets.inhabitat.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2010\/02\/NevilleEcoHome1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"631\" height=\"347\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/blog\/2011\/feb\/02\/farewell-to-gary-neville\">\u2018Ex-best-right-back-in-the-world\u2019<\/a>, \u2018current-best-commentator-on-TV\u2019 and now \u2018green activist\u2019, Gary Neville put forward this proposal in collaboration with <em>Make Architects<\/em> for the moorlands around Bolton. Entirely underground, it will be illuminated with natural light thanks to the petal-shaped depressions that form the driveway and gardens. It is one of the first zero-carbon homes to be designed in the UK, but it was almost forbidden thanks to the apparently \u2018offensive\u2019 wind turbine that has now unfortunately been scrapped. Instead, the home will probably use ground source heat pumps and solar panels for its energy needs. Despite being nicknamed the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/cbeebies\/shows\/teletubbies\">Teletubby<\/a> house, the architects insist that their inspiration came from <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Skara_Brae\">Skara Brae<\/a>, an ancient settlement in the Orkney Isles.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>5. Staying True to Our Roots, in Iran<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Iran-caves.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4103 \" src=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Iran-caves.png\" alt=\"Iran caves\" width=\"648\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Iran-caves.png 865w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Iran-caves-260x144.png 260w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Iran-caves-400x222.png 400w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Iran-caves-100x55.png 100w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Iran-caves-150x83.png 150w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Iran-caves-200x111.png 200w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Iran-caves-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Iran-caves-450x249.png 450w, https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Iran-caves-600x332.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This is the Iranian <a href=\"http:\/\/dictionary.reference.com\/browse\/troglodyte\">troglodyte<\/a> village of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.atlasobscura.com\/places\/troglodyte-village\">Kandovan<\/a>, featuring a maze of what looks like giant termite mounds. These are in fact hollowed out natural volcanic formations that are homes to some of the locals. Many of the caves have been fully customised, sometimes over four <a class=\"wl-entity-page-link\" title=\"Storey\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/storey\/\" data-id=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/entity\/storey;http:\/\/rdf.freebase.com\/ns\/m.02vk6kk;http:\/\/dbpedia.org\/resource\/Storey\" >storeys<\/a>, and are some of the most energy efficient buildings in the world, thanks to their insulating volcanic rock walls.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>by Joe Baylis<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As space in highly desired districts dwindles, architects are looking for new ideas in ever more unlikely places. Some have looked towards the sky, some below the surface of the sea, and others turn their minds downwards and think subterranean.<span class=\"ellipsis\">&hellip;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/unbelievable-underground-homes\/\">Read more &#8250;<\/a><\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":3903,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wl_entities_gutenberg":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","spay_email":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[38,39,28,30],"wl_entity_type":[602],"modified_by":null,"_wl_alt_label":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/underground-homes.jpg","wl:entity_url":"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/post\/unbelievable_underground_homes","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3900"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3900"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3900\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15655,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3900\/revisions\/15655"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3903"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3900"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3900"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3900"},{"taxonomy":"wl_entity_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wl_entity_type?post=3900"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}