Going Underground

Sustainable design inspired by the ancients, using earth sheltering for insulation and thermal mass. A technique called berming. Circular in this case, it is designed for engineering balance giving an advantage to form a great centre space.

The scheme in structure looks a little like a UFO has landed.

A preliminary concept, half in the ground, it is designed to hug the landscape, but be flooded with sunshine and not feel in the ground. Also, is cannot be easily discerned as a home from any public viewpoint. However it is some 300m2 so very large and grand, with a unique catenary structure (hung tension format) at the centre, redolent of a snowflake as a centre piece feature. The catenary naturally uses the perfect geometry in engineering terms to allow a massive uninterrupted space in the heart of the building. An atrium glazed space as a greenhouse for food all year round and feature at the heart of the building.

The plan has two halves, with bedroom ensuites to North, facing the inner atrium so gaining south light, and the Living areas in the other half on the South side, breaking out to the south. The idea is to ensure maximum direct sunlight to all parts. Respecting the circular form spaces are carefully arranged to avoid odd shaped rooms that would feel uncomfortable. The structure is rigorous in engineering utilising pre-stressed concrete beams for the earth loading and stability for the inner catenary tension structure.

The design has references to ancient methods adopted by our forebears. Examples here such as Skara Brae, in the Orkney Islands Scotland being a prime example of 5,000 years ago

Here an model reconstruction example of iron age building with post and beam tree trunks, formed into a circle and covered with earth and turf.

Design by Vaughan Keal + Associates.