The Bailey Berm House
Book Review
December 15, 2003
Wampler, Louis Underground Home Gretna, Louisiana: Pelican Publishing Company, 2003
121 Pages
David's Thoughts: Although it is a small book, there are some great tips on how to determine the size of footings and other design tips. It cleared my mind of several minor questions that have been haunting me from early on.
Book's Description
High energy costs have spurred the search for new and better ways to increase
energy in family dwellings throughout America. One exciting solution is
to reduce our energy needs by building underground.
"Underground Homes" offers the layman a complete and thoughtful approach to planning, building, and inhabiting an earth-sheltered home. Author Louis Wampler takes the reader step by step through a potential maze of construction problems. He uses simple language and numerous diagrams and illustrations to answer the questions people ask most about an underground home.
The book offers information and guidance on such key factors as
- Planning interior and exterior design
- Choosing the proper site
- Insulating for maximum energy savings
- Waterproofing the structure
- Deciding which roof will work best on your house
- Selecting appropriate heating and cooling systems
"Underground Homes" also addresses specific problems associated with subterranean homes-- determining the local water table, reinforcing concrete with steel, and using skylights and windows. It also discusses the common psychological barriers to living underground, presenting solutions and insights into these problems.
Wampler's authoratative study has been chosen for the Bookstore Basic Booklist by the American Booksellers Association.
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