Anyone Thought Of "Going Underground"? ;)

Spartan_Warrior · Post by **Spartan_Warrior** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 6:10 am

The "$50 Underground House":
http://www.undergroundhousing.com/
My interest in this is partially inspired by the tumbleweed/tiny house idea, but combining it with a survivalist edge--who doesn't want a house that doubles as a bomb shelter? I'm picturing a regular brick shed (since I need one of these in my yard anyway and it provides camouflage) with a hidden trap door hatch to a fallout shelter/living space beneath. The difficult part would seem to be plumbing and, to a lesser extent, electricity. Other than that it seems like just digging a hole, more or less.
These designs look a lot more complex than that, with windows and everything--basically a Hobbit House, lol--but I could do without that, or perhaps design it so the upper level of the shed is habitable as well.
I could build this in my back yard, live in it while renting out my actual house for its full value, and ERE in 5 years!
I'll look for the "$50 Underground House" book at the library.
On a semi-related note, check out this freaky youtube video from the 1950's "Fallout: When And How To Protect Yourself Against It" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8_q06SL98Q)

Mirwen · Post by **Mirwen** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 6:54 pm

I've considered an underground house for the thermal properties. It would be like a hobbit hole. It's impossible where I live now though.

Emanuel · Post by **Emanuel** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 4:10 am

I think about it sometimes. A secret underground house away from any road with enough stock to last years and completely off-grid.
Don't know if my girl would like to live in that :s

Spartan_Warrior · Post by **Spartan_Warrior** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 7:05 am

I don't know, Don--if you watch the videos on the site, those hippie chicks seem pretty impressed with Oehler's hobbit holes.

But then, his really are impressive. His designs are much more elaborate than the "bomb shelter" implementation I imagine.

Surio · Post by **Surio** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 10:22 am

When you read Thumbelina or Wind in the willows as a young 'un, you do ponder about it ....

Mo · Post by Mo » Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:52 pm

I think it's fun to think about bunkers and shelters.
The site referenced by the link though looks like a propaganda machine set up to sell $20 books, and $100 DVD sets.
My 5 second rebuttal to all of the advantages of underground building is this: if it's so easy, cheap, and great, why do so many people have so much trouble with their basements? Would you buy a house with a basement without having the basement inspected?

Hoplite · Post by **Hoplite** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 6:11 pm

Do people enjoy living in basements? If yes, then I think you can get a good rental deal

The idea brought to mind a much higher end version--the cave houses in Spain. Some of them tricked out very nicely, and the digging is done mostly by nature:
http://www.spanish-inland-properties.co ... &s=53&p=16

jennypenny · Post by **jennypenny** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 6:46 pm

My DH loves the converted bunker idea. I am way too claustrophobic for that. I think the most I could handle is a wofati (http://www.richsoil.com/wofati.jsp). We recently installed glass walls and ceilings in most of the common living areas of our house, so I guess we're going the other direction (living in a greenhouse instead of a cave).

Emanuel · Post by **Emanuel** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 7:56 pm

Forget about building or renting.. what about just squatting one of this beauties.. for free

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/sho ... hp?t=58986

FrugalZen · Post by **FrugalZen** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:55 pm

MMMMmmmmm....you can still be "underground" aboveground.
And it sounds like a good use for a Shipping Container...solid metal...set on a foundation overlay with a water barrier and cover with dirt.
Instant insulation and it would only be subject to the same flooding dangers as regular houses.

Spartan_Warrior · Post by **Spartan_Warrior** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:25 pm

@jennypenny: the Wofati is actually based on what I linked to. The "O" in Wofati comes from "Oehler", as in Mike Oehler, the guy from the "undergroundhousing.com" site.
As described in the wofati article, it's totally different from "living in a basement", and "underground" may not have been the best choice of words for Oehler's architecture, as in a certain sense, yes, you can be "underground" while aboveground. These are well-lit, log-cabin-esque houses that are built "partially" underground.
Now, I'm personally not as interested in this implementation as I am in a more conventional "underground" shelter like you all are thinking of--fully submerged, bomb shelter, or buried shipping container. But--the link in my OP is not at all like this.