Earth sheltering
Building into or under the ground so soil moderates temperature and the land above stays green. Needs careful structure, drainage and insulation.
- Climates
- cold, temperate, hot-dry
- US permit route
- Building official's approval, usually with an engineer
Soil is a poor insulator but a large, slow thermal mass. Its insulating value is roughly R-1 per foot, which is why Malcolm Wells recommended about R-10 of insulation between deep soil and heated rooms. Earth sheltering works by evening out temperature swings, not by insulating on its own.
Risks
- Water: soil holds it against the walls and roof for months
- Structure: earth loads on a roof are far heavier than snow
- Heat loss into cold ground if the shell is not insulated
Needs a professional
- Structural engineer for any roof carrying soil
- Geotechnical check of soil and water table
- Waterproofing and drainage design
Sources
- Malcolm Wells. Wikipedia. · accessed November 4, 2026
- Earthship. Wikipedia. · accessed November 4, 2026
Fact-checked November 4, 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us.