Earth sheltered

Earth sheltering is the architectural practice of using earth against building walls for external thermal mass, to reduce heat loss, and to easily maintain a steady indoor air temperature. Earth sheltering is popular in modern times among advocates of passive solar and sustainable architecture, but has been around for nearly as long as humans have been constructing their own shelter.

Definition: Earth sheltered, or underground, houses lie mostly beneath the ground surface. The surrounding soil provides natural insulation, making these houses inexpensive to heat and cool. The best location for an earth sheltered house is on a well-drained hillside. Windows facing the south or an overhead skylight will fill the interior with sunshine.

Designers of underground homes have developed several methods for regulating the interior temperature. Some underground homes depend entirely on the natural insulation provided by the walls and floors. Sometimes tubes are channeled through the earth to bring in air. And, sometimes a heat pump is used to regulate temperatures.

Earth sheltered homes are typically made of concrete. Construction costs can run 10% higher than that of a conventional house. However, enthusiasts say that the lower maintenance and energy costs make earth sheltered homes a good buy. But, I think it’s looks like an extreme/over “roof garden” for todays architecture.

Earth sheltered homes are not suitable for permafrost regions.

Are you wanna go back to the prehistoric cave living?

I think you should call and Architectural Psichologist

Hehe, just kidding!

Define: Architect

Definition: An architect is a licensed professional who organizes space. Architects design houses, office buildings, skyscrapers, landscapes, and even entire cities.Architects are trained in many areas, from historic preservation to structural engineering. Like doctors and lawyers, architects have completed university programs and lengthy internships. In most parts of the world, architects must pass a series of rigorous exams in order be licensed. In North America, the initials RA designate a registered, or licensed, architect.

An information architect is a person who plans the flow of information on Web pages. This use of the word architect is not related to building design.

The services of a licensed architect depend on the type of project; fees may range from 10% to 15% of the total construction costs.

Also Known As: Architects design buildings, but a “Building Designer” is not usually a licensed architect.

Examples: Since the dawn of time, humans have constructed dwellings and created new environments. We often use the word “architect” to describe the artists and engineers who designed historic buildings like the Taj Mahal. However, it was only in the twentieth century that architects were required to pass tests and be licensed. Today, the word “architect” refers to a licensed professional.

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Becoming an architect

Architecture is taught in a different way to the majority of other subjects. Most of your studies will be based in the studio for design work, or tutorials and ‘crits’ (critiques). The crit, a common term in art and design education, is where you present your design project work to tutors (and other students) who provide feedback. You will also attend history, theory & technology lectures and computer aided design tutorials, have essays to write, site visits to go on, and visits to buildings and places of interest.

Some schools of architecture provide opportunities for hands-on building projects; and some also offer specialist areas of study or have developed strengths in particular areas, for example sustainability, urban design or construction technology. Skills in problem-solving and team-working are also developed through project work.

Qualifying as an architect in the United Kingdom involves a combination of academic studies and professional experience within a practice, and takes a minimum of seven years to complete. However, an architect must commit themselves to ongoing development and learning throughout their professional career.

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