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Posted to uk.d-i-y
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Living underground? lets discuss it?
On 14 Sep 2006 05:46:34 -0700, wrote:
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
The more I look at the average urban and suburban sprawl the more I feel
that actually what we should be doing is putting the roads deep down,
the houses just under the surface with light pipes and the gardens and
parks on top...Hobbiton? possibly :-)
What do you think are the pros and cons of this from a cost/benefit
environmental and general living feeling?
Cons
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o Damp/drainage.
o Radon, and other heavier than air poisonous and toxic gases.
o Sewerage and waste water disposal becomes more difficult. Either
considerably deeper, and therefore more expensive, or widespread use of
S*n*f*o*s. Oh joy.
o Careful insulation required, otherwise heating bills will skyrocket
as you try to heat up the surrounding earth.
Cheers,
Sid
As a reference have a google for the cave houses in spain, around
the town of Guadix. Briefly, they are dug out of the local soft
rock (shale) and have walls *at least* 5 feet thick. A lot of them
are over 100 years old and are still "standing".
The first thing you notice is the quiet - there's literally no noise
except that made by people/appliances in the house. A lot of people
find that too spooky, or claustrophobic.
They also tend to have much narrower temperature swings: staying
cooler in summer (even in Andalucia, where outside temps. hit 40+)
and very well insulated in winter.
Pete
--
.................................................. .........................
.. never trust a man who, when left alone ...... Pete Lynch .
.. in a room with a tea cosy ...... Marlow, England .
.. doesn't try it on (Billy Connolly) .....................................
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