Earth house

An earth house is a house in the earth (humus ) as a building material, a significant portion of the wall or Deckenkonstrunktion is used. When Erdhaus the earth acts as an insulating blanket that efficiently protects against cold, wind and rain. The earth has a natural protection against negative environmental influences. An earth house does not have to be built absolutely in the earth, but can be placed on the naturally grown terrain. Be separated earth and house, so you build in the air, with the result that heat and moisture to escape more quickly and loose the outer skin of the building quickly to life.

Structural Engineering

Structures, which are designed as an integral arch, can be prefabricated in a single rigid piece or produced by injection molding in wire networks. Shotcrete arches allow free and organic shapes that allow light-filled rooms. The shotcrete method was applied to the early 20th century for the first time. The American naturalist Carl Akeley patented a device in 1911, could be injected with which fine-grained cement. The shotcrete technology is mainly applied in civil engineering and tunnel engineering, building construction actually only in concrete repair. Pioneer in the application of shotcrete technology in building construction was Frederick Kiesler with his project " Endless House ". New used and optimized, this process was by Swiss architect Peter Vetsch, who has built to date, over 40 earth houses using this technique. The sprayed concrete is in this case applied to a fine-mesh expanded metal mesh which is welded to Tragarmierungen. These are bent and shaped according to the intended shape of a house. A 20 cm thick polyurethane foam insulation against cold and heat outside is sprayed onto the vault. In a floating mat is laid and the building with 50 cm covered up to 3 meters earth. The interior walls of earth house are provided with a clay plaster. This allows an ideal moisture balance and is finally painted with Naturkalkfarbe.

Benefits

Pleasant climatic conditions

One of the key ecological advantages of earth house is located in a very warm living environment. The special construction of these earth houses leads to balanced, climatic conditions: cooling in summer and protection against cold in winter. Another advantage is the relative humidity to 50%, in contrast to overheated winter areas in conventional houses, and thereby at low relative humidity.

Energy and CO2 savings

One of the direct consequences of better climatic conditions are proven energy savings, which account for up to 50 % annually.

Storm and earthquake protection

Because of their construction Earth houses are well protected from severe storms, since they are not carried away by the wind, yet can tip over. The static and the lack of corners and outstanding components (roof), also avoid almost all points of attack, which can lead to significant storm damage otherwise. The stability of circular shapes combined with the Netzarmierung forms an ideal basis for protection against earthquakes.

Roof planting

Since excavated material is used as roofing, a planting of crops is possible. The vegetated roof collects most of the rain water, stores it and gives it slowly.

Disadvantages

The design of the earth houses usually leads to walls, which are not purely vertical, but have rather curved shapes. This can lead to problems with the interior, especially with regard to furniture and large paintings. However, this can be taken into account in the planning and design of an earth house, with straight walls are deliberately planned at certain points.

If not properly ventilated, earth houses can have a very high humidity, so that mold to grow. The underground location of the earth houses can allow accumulation of radon or other undesirable substances.

Despite large window (usually south ) have a lot of earth houses in other places dark areas. Because of the natural light from one side of the house can enter a tunnel or cave effect. This can be alleviated by the use of skylights, solar tubes or artificial light sources.

Historical model

On the northern Plains of America, the Indians built their homes in the ground to thereby better insulation against the cold can, as it was in normal tipis possible. This earth houses were usually lowered into the ground and covered with tree trunks. Between these tree trunks grass was piled up and finally piled earth. In the middle of the house, a hole in the ceiling was left for light inlet and flue.