The underground trend that is set to transform DIY

Looking to make your home more eco-friendly? Why not go all the way and build yourself a brand new eco-home? But instead of doing what everyone else does and building a home above ground, why not be a bit different and build an underground home?

Many experts believe that homes and rooms underground are more energy efficient and so-called “Hobbit” homes could become the norm in the future, according to a story from the Daily Mail.

Jerry Harrall, the founder of SEArch Architects, who has built his own earth-sheltered home in Lincolnshire and 22 more projects, says “’an earth-sheltered building is the only building form that can mitigate Co2.”

What happens is that the house absorbs carbon dioxide instead of generating it like any other building above ground. Using the sun’s energy, a green roof and south-facing windows on a large thermal mass, the building acts like a storage heater and keeps the rooms steadily heated and energy efficient. Mr Harrall said: “Since 1997 all the buildings I have designed have achieved zero heating”.

Combine this with the fact that the underground rooms are soundproof due to layers of concrete to withstand its weight, then rooms underground have numerous benefits. What do you think? Would you build an underground room or house to save energy and be eco-friendly?

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