EARTH INTEGRATED HOUSING Item Type text; Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) Authors YOON, KI-BYUNG Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 06/10/2021 10:52:59 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/555280 EARTH-INTEGRATED HOUSING UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE KI-BYUNG YOON PYiskjes EARTH-INTEGRADED HOUSING UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE DECEMBER 1983 This thesis is presented to the College of Archi­ tecture of the University of Arizona in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Masters of Architecture degree. Committee Chairman" Fred S. Matter 4 T'LijZ) s X Committee Member Kenneth N. Clark % l/*ik__ — Committee Member v William II. Haven TO MY PARENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS PART B: PROGRAMMING 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Location 1.1 Basic Types 1.2 Analysis of the Development Plan (The 1.2 Advantages of an Earth-Integrated House Hills) 1.3 Disadvantages of an Earth-Integrated House 2.0 SITE ANALYSIS PART A: EARTH-INTEGRATED HOUSE DESIGN 2.1 Neighborhood Context A. Natural Physical Features 2.0 DESIGN CONCERNS B. Utilities C. Others 2.1 Human Aspects 2.2 On-Site Context 2.2 Energy A. Natural Physical Features 2.3 Natural Lighting B. Legal 2.4 Landscaping C. Others 2.5 Air 2.3 Climate 2.6 Structure 2.7 Waterproofing 3.0 PRECEPTS 2.8 Insulation PART C : DESIGN 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT APPENDIX 3.1 Topography 3.2 Soil BIBLIOGRAPHY 3.3 Orientation 4.0 SUMMARY INTRODUCTION in the way of public acceptance of earth- integrated architecture. Some people are against In the last 10 years, people have begun to learn living in earth-integrated structures because of more about the importance of energy conservation the connotation of living in a cave, a fear of and the limits of the existing supply of energy. seclusion, and the associated feeling that the Cheap and simple fossil fuels have always been home may be damp, unhealthy, unventilated, dirty available for heating and air conditioning. and unsafe. Design methods and modern technology Planning for the energy factor was neglected in make it possible to construct a structure that is design and building processes. But after the 1975 dampness-free, has good ventilation, is more energy crisis, the era of cheap energy had ended. brightly lit, and can provide better living The United States, as well as other countries, now conditions equal to above-ground structures. faces energy problems that are more critical than at any other time in history. Energy conservation It is important to realize that our world has its measures have become as important as the search limits. We have to find a way of living in for new energy resources. harmony with nature, while using a miniumum of energy. Energy problems we now face have increased the interest in earth-integrated architecture. Earth- integrated architecture provides a good alterna­ tive, not only for energy conservation but also for an architecture that is very ecologically sound. However, there still are some barriers that stand 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 BASIC TYPES 1.2 ADVANTAGES OF AN EARTH- INTEGRATED HOUSE 1.3 DISADVANTAGES OF AN EARTH INTEGRATED HOUSE 2 1.1 BASIC TYPES OF EARTH-INTEGRATED ARCHITECTURE Earth-integrated architecture is also divided into . two categories. The first is the elevational Underground architecture is divided into two type, and the other is the atrium type. According general categories. One is deep underground archi­ to their relationship with the surface tecture, and the other is earth-integrated surroundings, earth-integrated structures can be architecture. Deep underground architecture has divided into semi-recessed (bermed) and thermal, acoustical and structural advantages and fully-recessed types. can utilize areas such as abandoned mines. Precision instrument production, telephone The advantages of semi-recessed (bermed) type switching, warehousing, cold storage, etc. can all earth-integrated architecture are: benefit from being located underground. 1) It is the most adaptable mode: it can be Even though there is no universally accepted used on flat ground with a high water, definition of earth-integrated housing, the Under­ table. On a slope, it needs only a ground Space Center at the University of Minnesota shallow cut. Furthermore, it can be indicates that anywhere from 50 to 80 percent of easily utilized in populated areas. ' the exterior envelope of the roof area must be covered with earth. As a broader definition, 50 2) The least amount of excavation is neces­ percent of the exterior ^envelope of the building sary for utilization of the land. must be earth covered. However, it can be defined as an earth-integrated house if earth is a 3) It can utilize the best view that is major factor of the form and structure of the offered by the top* of a hill without house for protection from the environment. requiring deep excavation. 3 SEMI-RECESSED TYPE FULLY-RECESSED TYPE 4 4) In a cold climate, the berm allows the soil to heave without all of the force being directed into the wall of the structure. The disadvantage of bermed-type construction is that often the excavation needed is so small that there may not be enough soil on the site for backfill. SECTION A. Elevational Type The general concept of the elevational type plan is to maximize the earth cover around the house by concentrating all of the window openings on one side of the house, preferably on the south side in the northern hemisphere. The plan must be arranged so that all of the major living and sleeping spaces are along the exposed elevation, with secondary spaces not requiring windows being placed behind them. PLAN ELEVATIONAL TYPE 6 1) Characteristics to give it greater shear strength, as a. Appropriate for colder climates. well as to help it resist expansive b. Elongated in an east-west direction to pressure. increase exposure to the sun for lighting and ventilation purposes. 4) Plan c. The need for large lots and a more a. The entry placement and design is a spread out arrangement. very important consideration in the d. Can be built on slopes of up to 50 elevational type. A north, east or percent. west entry can be accomplished. The e. The structure can be applied to a advantage of a south-side entry is the variety of climates. simplicity of construction and protec­ tion of the house from winter winds. 2) Advantages The disadvantage is that the public a. Lower profile to the north and entry is on the same side as the northwest wind in a cold climate. private outdoor space, which could b. Visual harmony with the environment. affect privacy. c. It is the best solution for a sloping b. An earth-covered garage is more expen­ site. sive than a conventional garage. c. If the floor level is below the street 3) Disadvantages level, driveway access could be a. The lateral forces have to be dealt difficult. Sewer connection could with by additional reinforcement of also be difficult. the wall. The wall should always be d. A single, long, flat facade can result tied to both the footing and the roof in stark and uninteresting architec- 6 ture. To prevent this, greehouses, decks, sunshades and rooms extending out from the exposed wall can add variety without complicating the basic structure. Another alternative is the detached garage, used to define outdoor space and to relieve monotony, e. Major living and sleeping areas are always placed along the exposed elevation. B. Atrium Type PLAN ATRIUM TYPE The atrium plan is based on the idea of placing the living spaces around a courtyard, with all the window openings oriented into the court. 1) Characteristics a. The house does not depend on any special orientation. b. It is generally good for flat land (under 15 percent slope), or a north-facing slope. c. It is less appropriate in hot and SECTION humid areas, where ventilation is a major factor. 7 d. In warm climates, the atrium can be 3) Disadvantages larger and may be used for circulation a. The expansive pressure will have to be between atrium spaces. dealt with by additional reinforcement e. In colder climates open courtyards are of the walls. unusable in winter, so that b. The terrain provides no positive slope circulation must be enclosed in or drain-moisture control. corridors around the atrium. c. It does not receive any natural winds f . It is particularly good for an area that can be used for ventilation. which has no attractive views, or has d. One is unable to see outside. undesirable or noisy surroundings. e. There is some difficulty involved in arranging rooms around a single court­ 2) Advantages yard. a. It changes the natural landscape the f. There are problems in providing a least. public entry. b. In cold areas, it is completely g. There is difficulty in creating a good isolated from the wind-chill. relationship between the house and the c. Ground area over the structure can be roads, parking and garage. used for a variety of purpose. d. The structure is invulnerabile to 1. Underground Space Center, University of Minne­ tornadic winds, or even to nuclear sota, Earth Sheltered Homes: Plans and Designs (New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, blast. 1981), p. 127) e. The inner atrium can be well utilized as an open courtyard.