Earth-sheltered houses drastically reduce the demand for lumber because the home is not framed above ground. The materials for the walls and foundation are the subsoil itself. Even the US Department of Energy finds that underground homes offer sustainability and energy efficiency advantages.

An earth shelter, also called an earth house, earth-bermed house, earth-sheltered house, [1] earth-covered house, or underground house, is a structure (usually a house) with earth (soil) against the walls and/or on the roof, or that is entirely buried underground.

Yes, it is indeed possible to build homes that are partially or almost completely buried beneath the ground or the earth, and this type of residential construction has a lot to recommend it to those who are concerned with reducing costs and holding down their resource consumption.

Indeed, there's something about these hidden habitats that evokes a sense of snugness, safety, and warmth, so it’s no surprise that humans are finding ways to live beneath ground. Here are 13 homes immersed in the earth that will fire the imaginations of all aspiring subterrestrials.

As cities get more crowded, why not build down? Kieran Nash profiles some of the world’s most unusual underground constructions, from Australian rock homes to Beijing’s subterranean spaces.