Subterranean architecture also known as buried architecture, excavated architecture or troglodyte architecture is a subtype of bioclimatic solar architecture that takes advantage of a technology to reduce environmental uncertainty for humans in the subterranean (underground) area closer to the surface, where it aims to build a welcoming and lasting shelter.
This architecture takes advantage of the natural resources around the site chosen for construction: the consolidated land itself as it is. The thermal inertia of the land is used to obtain interior thermal comfort in the home. This type of architecture is very often related to self-construction.
Some important examples of underground architecture are:[1].
In Spain, some of the underground architectural examples are:
Construction
For construction, various requirements must be met such as an adapted soil consisting of clay, sandstone, marl, limestone, conglomerate "Conglomerate (geology)") or sedimentary rock. Depending on the cultures and areas where they are built, the façade or façades with windows and doors can be oriented towards the sun throughout the day (north of the equator towards the South and vice versa), or away from it, as in the case of underground homes in the Middle East. A solar chimney or an interior patio excavated at the other end of the door facilitates good ventilation.[2].
Indoor climate
If the requirements have been met, the indoor climate is very close to thermal comfort: warm in winter and cool in summer. Indoor temperatures are around the average annual air temperature in the area, for example in Spain between 17 and 23 degrees. The thermal inertia of the earthen walls and roof means that the maximum and minimum of the interior temperature is several months behind that of the outside. The more hours of annual sunshine that fall on the surface, the higher the average temperature inside.[3] Inside you do not face high or low temperature peaks, due to the thermal inertia of the land/land mass. The annual variations in the earth's temperature decrease with greater depth.
The data has been taken in Bordeaux, where the average annual outdoor air temperature is 12.5 degrees.
Subsoil architecture
Introduction
Subterranean architecture also known as buried architecture, excavated architecture or troglodyte architecture is a subtype of bioclimatic solar architecture that takes advantage of a technology to reduce environmental uncertainty for humans in the subterranean (underground) area closer to the surface, where it aims to build a welcoming and lasting shelter.
This architecture takes advantage of the natural resources around the site chosen for construction: the consolidated land itself as it is. The thermal inertia of the land is used to obtain interior thermal comfort in the home. This type of architecture is very often related to self-construction.
Some important examples of underground architecture are:[1].
In Spain, some of the underground architectural examples are:
Construction
For construction, various requirements must be met such as an adapted soil consisting of clay, sandstone, marl, limestone, conglomerate "Conglomerate (geology)") or sedimentary rock. Depending on the cultures and areas where they are built, the façade or façades with windows and doors can be oriented towards the sun throughout the day (north of the equator towards the South and vice versa), or away from it, as in the case of underground homes in the Middle East. A solar chimney or an interior patio excavated at the other end of the door facilitates good ventilation.[2].
Indoor climate
If the requirements have been met, the indoor climate is very close to thermal comfort: warm in winter and cool in summer. Indoor temperatures are around the average annual air temperature in the area, for example in Spain between 17 and 23 degrees. The thermal inertia of the earthen walls and roof means that the maximum and minimum of the interior temperature is several months behind that of the outside. The more hours of annual sunshine that fall on the surface, the higher the average temperature inside.[3] Inside you do not face high or low temperature peaks, due to the thermal inertia of the land/land mass. The annual variations in the earth's temperature decrease with greater depth.
Above 0.3 meter width of walls and ceilings, no daily variation in temperature is perceived. Only at a high depth does the ground temperature rise due to the high temperatures in the Earth's core. But this has no effect at the shallow depths of the usual underground architecture that are located in the Earth's Crust. The geothermal gradient is 0.03 degrees/m.
The relative humidity of indoor air is higher and is around 50% levels, which is healthier than in heated and air-conditioned rooms. The higher relative humidity is explained by the moisture stored in the ground, which is diffused very slowly through the walls and ceiling in the form of water vapor.
The use of these types of construction had a great variety: especially as housing, but also as a grain warehouse, wine cellar, religious site, and funeral home. Today it is also used as a garage for cars, as a test/rehearsal room for musical bands due to its good acoustic insulation or as a place for parties. This type of construction has very little environmental impact during its construction (excavation) and use. Due to the temperatures mentioned, heating or air conditioning equipment is almost never needed. It adapts very well to the existing landscape, so that the construction is almost not noticeable compared to the houses built on top of the land.
The data has been taken in Bordeaux, where the average annual outdoor air temperature is 12.5 degrees.
Above 0.3 meter width of walls and ceilings, no daily variation in temperature is perceived. Only at a high depth does the ground temperature rise due to the high temperatures in the Earth's core. But this has no effect at the shallow depths of the usual underground architecture that are located in the Earth's Crust. The geothermal gradient is 0.03 degrees/m.
The relative humidity of indoor air is higher and is around 50% levels, which is healthier than in heated and air-conditioned rooms. The higher relative humidity is explained by the moisture stored in the ground, which is diffused very slowly through the walls and ceiling in the form of water vapor.
The use of these types of construction had a great variety: especially as housing, but also as a grain warehouse, wine cellar, religious site, and funeral home. Today it is also used as a garage for cars, as a test/rehearsal room for musical bands due to its good acoustic insulation or as a place for parties. This type of construction has very little environmental impact during its construction (excavation) and use. Due to the temperatures mentioned, heating or air conditioning equipment is almost never needed. It adapts very well to the existing landscape, so that the construction is almost not noticeable compared to the houses built on top of the land.