Cave Houses (History)
Introduction
A cave house or troglodyte home is a house that is built by excavating a cave in appropriate land or taking advantage of and adapting a pre-existing cave.
Traditional cave houses
They are common in traditional rural architecture in certain areas.
Conception and architecture
When the Earth and the house separate, it is built in the air, which results in a faster effect of heat and a faster deterioration of the exterior of the building. In cave houses, the earth serves as an insulating roof that effectively protects against cold, rain and wind. The earth provides a natural protection against the negative effects of the environment and unwanted intrusions. But a cave house does not necessarily have to be built on the ground, but can take advantage of land that rises naturally. The cave house is a flexible building that can be adapted to the wishes of each user, respect the environment and help with reasonable energy consumption.[1] The freedom of forms of this construction technique allows for organic planning that requires spatial thinking and a high degree of creativity. The cave houses are reminiscent of habitable structures with great artistic pretension and plastic quality.
The cave houses of exponents such as Peter Vetsch or Arthur Quarmby") are based on the interpretation of an architecture that is respectful of the environment, ecological but also progressive. They are distinguished by their closeness to nature and allow an innovative spatial experience beyond the traditional four walls at right angles. The fundamental principle is not to place the earth at the same level as the building, but to design it in such a way that the essence of the Earth is preserved.
Today's cave houses have all the standards of interior construction, for example, modern kitchens, bathrooms and heating systems. Furthermore, the buildings are redesigned for each occasion. Cave houses can be built as individual homes or as housing complexes.