The underground homes blend perfectly with the meadows above Dietikon, a nondescript suburb near Zürich, Switzerland. The earth covered homes designed by Peter Vetsch unite architecture and nature superbly.
The unusual homes remind of Tolkien's hobbit houses, though he says he never read The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit. The monotony of conventional architecture with its overuse of non-renewable energy never agreed with him. He was already focused on designing architecture that involved modern technology combined with sustainability as a student of renowned Austrian Architect Hans Hollein, professor of arts and architecture at the Academy of Art in Düsseldorf, Germany, in the late 60s.
He incorporated sustainable components into his more conventional buildings from the beginning, but when the energy crisis - resulting from the 1973 oil embargo - hit the world, he went a step further and took a radical approach to construct alternative and sustainable housing for the 20th century without abstention from modern conveniences. By 1978, his first eco house was ready to be built.
Surprisingly, he never experienced problems with the more than strict Swiss government building rules. The ecological advantages of building underground homes made perfect sense to them. Not so to the Swiss bankers. Though he had worked for years with them and they approved without hesitation mortgages for his clients, now they refused to grant him a mortgage for his own house. He went elsewhere.
Earth Sheltered Homes Building with and not against Nature
Even though Homo Sapiens emerged long ago from cave living, Vetsch says we should learn from their experiences and combine their knowledge and tradition of using passive sun energy with modern technologies to build better homes for modern-day people and the environment.
Peter Vetsch is a pioneer and specialist with more than 30 years of experience in building ecological and environmentally sustainable earth sheltered homes. He is probably the architect with the largest number of built underground homes worldwide.
He has built groups of underground homes cuddled in a circle with a recreational atrium including pond and sitting areas for each house, as well as individual houses with elaborate interiors and terraced apartments for people who had enough of the anonymity of high-rise buildings.
Compared to conventional houses, underground homes fit perfectly into the landscape. Their earth-covered roofs melt with the natural scenery and return so parts of the green landscape to nature that otherwise would be lost.
Benefits of Low Impact Houses
The advantages of living in underground homes are many. Earth covered homes are cooler in summer and easier to keep warm in winter. Expensive and unhealthy air-conditioners are not necessary and green roofs help balance the Co2 footprint.
Not only are there up to 50% of energy savings and a better living quality due to higher humidity; security is another reason to think about building an underground eco house.
The round form of the house shell has a better stability and ability to cope with weight than any other form. Wind, fire and earthquake have almost no impact if the structure is built right. There are no vulnerable surfaces that could be ripped away or burned down.
Compared to other building materials, earth covered ferro concrete makes these unusual homes almost indestructible. Ferro concrete is non-toxic and can be poured into free form shapes thanks to wire mesh and rebar framework and will neither rust nor burn. Aircraft hangars, tunnels, ship hulls and stadium domes have been built and proven their stability many times over.
The dome shells are covered with multiple layers that allow even trees to grow on top without damaging the house itself. Tar paint is applied to protect earth houses from humidity and water damage.
Large windows toward the south and dome lights provide natural light. One has never a feeling of being "caged in a cave".
Heat is transferred from geothermal mass. One can leave the house to itself without worrying about freezing pipes and cracking foundations in the winter.
The cost of building an earth sheltered home compared to a conventional house is approximately the same. However, the upkeep is much less expensive.
Living in a real World Hobbit House
Curved forms inspire and have a calming effect on its occupants. Irene Suter, an earth dweller, says: "For me, it is as if a potter had formed the house around me. It gives me a feeling of warmth and security. Light changes constantly and paints interesting shadows onto the walls." Living in them gives people a sense of privacy and protection.
Inside, the homes look like artistically sculpted dome houses. They are ultramodern and equipped with up to date technology. Light-years separate these underground houses from cave dwellings millions of years ago. Vetsch works closely with the owners on the interior. It's up to them how much they want to integrate built in cabinets and how they want to plant their roof. Some prefer a jungle, others a more conventional garden or just grass. Each house evolves to a very personal creation.
Even though the rooms are not necessarily larger than conventional rooms, there is a strong sense of space due to the round form. At first glance, some might think it hard to arrange their furniture and hang paintings. But as Tolkien's hobbits see themselves "as a separate race, especially personality-wise," it maybe needs a special breed of imaginative people to live and thrive here. However, once they move in they seldom leave.
PS: Peter Vetsch and his artist wife Rosemarie von Scarpatetti moved to higher grounds. From their earth sheltered home to a modern water castle - Gothic Architecture of the 21st century.
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