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.

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.

Homes have been created underground since prehistoric times, but with the climate emergency getting worse and the issue of land availability becoming more pressing, could we see the construction of more subterranean homes?

If you are looking for an underground house idea but would prefer to have something inexpensive and prefab, then consider one of these shipping container homes. So this video walks you through multiple different options, and they are modern, unique, and look rather awesome.

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.