This is not the run-of-the-mill conventional house. It is an underground shelter which has windows and doors on 3 sides. All those windows on the end walls should let in the daylight. We wanted a curved roof as that has more strength to hold up the earth. The main structure is a 40 x 66 quonset hut with a 24 x 18 quonset hut forming a T to the West. We have a smaller T to the East which is 6 x 18. And there is a second structure which is a 24 x 24 quonset hut with an half dome attached to one end. So it's total length is 36. It is open at one end and faces South. It is a garage/workshop.
We are incorporating the Passive Annual Heat Storage (PAHS) concept with both structures. This involves earth tubes and an umbrella. Earth tubes are sets of pipes which run thru the earth, opening at the floor and ceiling creating a thermal syphon. The warm air in the building rises and goes thru the ceiling pipes, and the air in the building is replenished by the cooler air coming in thru the floor pipes. The lower tubes run under the building, the upper tubes run on the outside of the building under the 'umbrella' and eventually, all the tubes run alongside each other, exchanging their heat. All earth tubes after running thru the earth, open to the air beyond the umbrella. The umbrella is a layering of plastic and insulation that is laid like shingles over the dirt over the house, and including 20 feet around the house. It is used to insulate the earth above, around, and below the house. Above the umbrella is about a foot of topsoil. The plastic keeps out the rain; the insulation keeps out the temperature changes. During the summer, the sun heats up the house by shining thru the windows. The heat is conducted thru the walls and floors and excess heat goes thru the upper earth tubes and the lower earth tubes bring in cool air. The earth tubes in this way heat up the soil under the umbrella. During the winter, the colder air descends the lower earth tubes; warmer air comes into the house thru the upper earth tubes from the warmed earth. We had to compromise. We agreed with the company making our 'kit' that the upper earth tubes running on the outside of the house (in the dirt) are subject to shear due to the earth settling, no matter how much compacting we did. So we are having the upper earth tubes be at ceiling level, and come down within the house and go under the slab and out, just like the lower earth tubes. This necessitates a fan for each of the upper earth tubes, to make the air flow as it won't flow on its own as it would in a thermal syphon system.
Why are we building what we are building?
We want to be as energy conscious as we can. Hence, the PAHS mentioned above. We have a handicapped child, and are thinking of our possible incapacities in the future, so the floor plan is very open and the first floor has everything we need.
The pool area is sunken so that one can sit on the side of the pool and swing one's legs over into the water. We are planning an Endless Pool which has a return-flow system which will act like a ledge within the pool. The pool will provide much needed aquatic therapy.
We wanted a smaller house. However, to get two bedrooms on the first floor, next to each other, it was necessary to go with the larger quonset hut. And the second floor capability came with the larger quonset hut.
The 6 x 18 quonset hut was actually a tunnel in the first renditions of the house as we wanted to connect the garage and house and have a way of getting the wheelchair into the vehicle while under cover. But the cost of the tunnel outweighed our desires, and the tunnel became a pantry/wine cellar. It is partially insulated to keep the warmth of the PAHS and house from getting it too warm. And the umbrella will end very near the end of the pantry such that the far end should be cooler than what is closer to the main living area.
We are still thinking of future possibilities: of incorporating some wind turbines and/or solar technology. The hill that we have dug into seems to almost always have a breeze.
How are we building this project?
That is what this blog is all about. Not knowing much about building with concrete, we are the general contractor/owner and have obtained the services of local companies to help us in this endeavor.
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