Earth-sheltered housing buildings in the energy efficient structures context

Abstract

Underground housing architecture represents an energy efficient type of structures. This specific type of housing construction is recommended for the standard surface buildings because of its more energy efficient properties and its quality. All the typological forms of underground housing architecture up to date were mostly individual, experimental endeavors. Construction had no regulations for efficient monitoring of construction of these structures. For Serbian theory and practice international experience reviewed in the article is crucial for further development and harmonization with procedures during designing and construction of underground housing structures. When the international experience is viewed in the light of qualitative initial reasons for the change of an entire set of documents related to planning and construction areas, one can expect promotion of a more widely present underground housing architecture, with one of the primary goals of the present times, which is planning and construction of individual buildings, but also of entire settlements, where this housing typology can be implemented with an aim of creation of future energy efficient settlements in the Republic of Serbia.

Keywords

• earth-sheltered housing
• energy efficient structures
• impact of biodiversity
• basic impacts on earth-sheltered structures
• reduction of negative environmental impacts