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Part 3 From the Ground Up
Earth-Sheltered Houses
Another type of contemporary hous-
ing is earth-sheltered housing.
Earth-
sheltered
houses are partially covered
with soil. They are energy-efficient since fi
the soil is a natural insulation and helps
protect the house from weather elements
and climate extremes, 6-25B. Some earth-
sheltered houses are designed to be partly
underground. Other dwellings are built
into a hill or have soil compacted against
the sides of the building.
A number of earth-sheltered houses
are powered in part by solar energy.
They may utilize active or passive solar
heating systems or both.
Postmodern
Houses
Postmodernism is a view about the
architectural style of housing that began
in the 1970s and continues today. This
view often deviates from strict rules
of architecture by using building tech-
niques, angles, and styles differently.
Postmodern design includes a sense of
rebellion to the “less is more” simplicity
of modern architecture. In addition, it
includes a sense that anything in design
is acceptable.
Some features of postmodernism
include residential designs filled with fi
absurd humor or wit. Some architec-
tural critics say that if the “wit” feature
is absent from postmodern design,
it may just be modern or some other
design style. Unexpected and playful
elements are essential in the postmod-
ern design, 6-26.
Postmodern homes are all unique.
The diversity of design also includes
some blending of previous styles
including traditional, contemporary,
and newly invented forms. Details may
be exaggerated. Postmodern houses can
be bizarre or shocking.
Architects leading this era of post-
modern design include Robert Venturi,
Cesar Pelli, and Frank Gehry. Venturi
states that although previous architec-
tural styles are easily identified by consis- fi
tent characteristics, postmodernism is
characterized by its diversity in features.
Historic
Preservation
One trend in housing design is actu-
ally a step back in time. Nationally, there
is a growing concern for restoring and
preserving older buildings and houses.
A B
6-25
(A) This house
has both active
and passive solar
heating systems.
(B) This earth-
sheltered house is
partially covered
with soil. The soil
helps insulate it
from the desert
heat.
(B) Concept 2000,
Hermann J. Fraunhoffer