NavyIntelPO1
New Member
Posts:3
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| 22 Jul 2010 07:09 PM |
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Ok, I will start off by saying that I am new to all this.
I am working on drafting up plans for a 3000 sqft subterranean home in New Mexico. The entire structure (save the garage and entrance patio) will be under ground. From everything I have read I will be saving a considerable amount in the long run on heating and cooling given the generally constant temperature underground.
I want to make the home basically self sufficient. I know the electrical load will be too much to maintain constantly, but I plan on mitigating that with the lack of AC/Heating requirements and efficient lighting/ for the most part.
My question is: "What advice would you all give in regards to planning prior to construction to facilitate Green self sufficiency?" and "What resources should I be looking at in terms of what systems I should be installing?"
Also, does anyone have any recommendations for contractors in Northern New Mexico?
Thanks in advance!
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Quad-Lock
New Member
Posts:30
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| 23 Jul 2010 09:15 AM |
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Welcome to the forum - Insulated Concrete Forms for both your walls and floors probably provide the biggest reduction in heating & cooling loads and they're ideal for earth-sheltered homes! Windows, doors and other building envelope components also deserve close attention. Check out Quad-Lock's Five Steps to a Net Zero Energy Home for more ideas. Quad-Lock's John Hatfield has experience with earth-sheltered homes and maybe able to recommend New Mexico contractors: (303) 877-0594 or contact himAll the best for your project! |
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| Quad-Lock Building Systems is proud to Sponsor GreenBuildingTalk.com |
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NavyIntelPO1
New Member
Posts:3
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| 23 Jul 2010 01:23 PM |
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Thanks for the response! I will definitly have to look into the Quad-Deck system. I was planning on going with Spancrete for the overhead, mainly because it was recommended by on of my co-workers and will be supporting 6-12 inches of earth over the whole structure. The build will be something to see if I get everything planned out just right. Thanks again for the input and I will contact Mr. Hatfield once I get the finished concepts. |
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Alton
Veteran Member
Posts:2164
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| 23 Jul 2010 10:25 PM |
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6 to 12 inches of earth will offer some added energy savings but with the right earth-shelter technology much more earth than that can be on top of the structure. You might want to consider thin shell and Terra-Dome types of earth sheltering. |
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Residential Designer &
Construction Technology Consultant -- E-mail: Alton at Auburn dot Edu Use email format with @ and period .
334 826-3979 |
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Bruce Frey
Basic Member
Posts:429
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| 24 Jul 2010 04:42 AM |
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At 6-12" of soil cover, you have nothing more than a rather thick green roof. In my view, this does not provide much benefit over a green roof with thinner planting media.
There are a variety of concrete roof options ranging from a traditional cast in place flat slab, bar joists with metal deck and concrete slab to the different ICF solutions. Check them all out keeping in mind local practice and experience.
Also, think about living in a cave. Are you planning to provide skylights or light tubes to provide daylight to interior spaces?
Bruce |
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cmkavala
Veteran Member
Posts:4327
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| 24 Jul 2010 05:54 AM |
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Bruce & Alton;
how does one overcome bedroom egress issues, as well as minimum light and ventilation requirements as reguired by code when going unerground |
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| Chris Kavala<br>[email protected]<br>1-877-321-SIPS<br /> |
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Alton
Veteran Member
Posts:2164
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| 24 Jul 2010 07:57 AM |
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Mr. Kavala,
Earth-sheltered homes that have dirt on the roof and only the front elevation exposed usually have limited depth from front to back. This keeps the backfill from being too deep and allows for more front elevation (left to right).
Working with a limited depth, all bedrooms and other rooms that need light and egress are placed in the front part of the house. Rooms such as laundry, bathrooms, halls, kitchen, hobby, etc. that are non-sleeping areas are placed in the back of the home. The garage door will usually be on the front elevation and will face the street unless the topo of the lot lends itself to a side or back entrance.
Thin shell concrete and Terra-Dome types of earth shelters have tall domed ceilings instead of flat. (Domed roofs can be thinner than flat roofs since backfilling the roof places the concrete in compression.)
Thin shell homes usually have curved walls from the ground up to the ceiling. Depending upon the curvature of the wall, tall furniture may not be able to be pushed up tight against the wall.
Terra-Dome type of homes consist of modules 24' or 28' square with vertical walls. A combination of these two modules can be can be used in the same home. The exposed front elevation of the home that consists of more than one module can be varied in and out to create interest. Although the back elevation can vary in and out also, it does not matter since it is usually hidden by the earth. Each 24' or 28' module can have a large skylight in the center of the domed ceiling.
Light and egress requirements for earth sheltered homes are easily met when the depth is limited and the rooms that need egress and light are along the front wall.
By the way, I do not sell any products. Since I retired from teaching in the School of Architecture at Auburn University I usually donate my time to alternative design and construction that interests me. In other words, I do not have a hidden agenda other than occupying my free time. |
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Residential Designer &
Construction Technology Consultant -- E-mail: Alton at Auburn dot Edu Use email format with @ and period .
334 826-3979 |
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cmkavala
Veteran Member
Posts:4327
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| 24 Jul 2010 08:19 AM |
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Alton;
thanks, I thought bedrooms to the front might be the case |
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| Chris Kavala<br>[email protected]<br>1-877-321-SIPS<br /> |
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wes
Advanced Member
Posts:810
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| 24 Jul 2010 09:00 AM |
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Alton and Chris,
I think from reading the first post, Navy plans to bury the entire house below ground, with the exception of the entrance patio. I suspect that ventilation and egress requirements have not yet been considered.
Navy,
Have you considered ventilation and egress requirements? Remember, these are important even if you don't have to contend with codes officials.
BTW, I once saw an underground home that was completely underground. All the rooms were arranged around a central patio that was open the sky. Entrance was through this patio. From the driveway, all you could see was the top of the stairrails in the middle of a flat green lawn. Very interesting concept. |
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| Wes Shelby<br>Design Systems Group<br>Murray KY<br>[email protected] |
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cmkavala
Veteran Member
Posts:4327
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| 24 Jul 2010 09:42 AM |
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 Government sells abandoned missle silos that can be converted
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| Chris Kavala<br>[email protected]<br>1-877-321-SIPS<br /> |
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glenfotre
New Member
Posts:75
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| 24 Jul 2010 10:23 AM |
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Chris - Don't hold your breath, but the way that things are going, our gummint may have to put missles back into those! Oh, I forgot, they will just use more of our money to build more of them  |
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cmkavala
Veteran Member
Posts:4327
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| 24 Jul 2010 10:46 AM |
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glenfotre;
I am sure the old ones are fitted with $600. toilet seats that we all paid for |
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| Chris Kavala<br>[email protected]<br>1-877-321-SIPS<br /> |
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Bob I
Veteran Member
Posts:1435
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| 24 Jul 2010 12:50 PM |
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plus you'll need a 300' ladder to get to the living room |
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| Bob Irving<br>RH Irving Homebuilders<br>Certified Passive House Consultant |
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Alton
Veteran Member
Posts:2164
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| 24 Jul 2010 04:01 PM |
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My wife and I toured a deactivated missle silo in South Dakota a few years ago. I assure you that it was nothing like an earth sheltered home. I am convinced that I would NOT enjoy living in that type of silo. |
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Residential Designer &
Construction Technology Consultant -- E-mail: Alton at Auburn dot Edu Use email format with @ and period .
334 826-3979 |
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NavyIntelPO1
New Member
Posts:3
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| 01 Aug 2010 06:10 PM |
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I have considered egress windows and ventilation. Aside from the overall design these are my two of my bigger issues. I also saw the SILO homes which I thought was interesting, but a bit out of my range. I do appreciate all the advice though. I have pretty much decided that I will have to place the sleeping spaces around an opening. My basic theory is security (which jives with placement in north east New Mexico.) I had considered an earth sheltered home, but a wall of windows (which is the case in most of the designs) does not sit well with my plan. I have been looking at the light / ventilation tubes and am planning on utilizing the light tubes in places where I need natural light to deal with mold, and a loft style ventilation system.
I had not considered a circular structure with doors leading into the central patio area.
A work in progress... but thanks again for all the advice! |
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