As skyscrapers around the world continue climbing higher and higher, we pause this week to celebrate some buildings that are a little more down to earth — literally. Tuesday, May 14, marks Underground America Day.
According to National Day Calendar , approximately 6,000 people in North America reside in some kind of underground architecture. No, they are not hobbits (as far as we know). Many people who choose subterranean living do so to help the environment.
Earth-sheltered homes are built into the land on at least three sides, keeping energy use to a minimum. An engulfed home allows for more stable temperatures throughout the home as well as less exposure to the elements. On the downside, it's hard to open the windows to let a nice breeze come in.
Underground America Day was created by "the father of modern earth-sheltered architecture," Malcolm Wells, in 1974. He died in 2009.
On his website, Malcolmwells.com , he is quoted as saying, "I woke up one day to the fact that the Earth's surface was made for living plants, not industrial plants." He said the homes where we live should match nature's pace.
"We live in an era of glitzy buildings and trophy houses: big, ugly, show-off monsters that stand — or I should say stomp — on land stripped bare by the construction work and replanted with toxic green lawns," he said. "If the buildings could talk they would be speechless with embarrassment, but most of us see nothing wrong with them, and would, given the opportunity, build others like them, for few of us realize that there's a gentler way to build."
Wells' idea of these more gently built dwellings have caught on around the world, including in Australia, where an entire town was constructed underground.
The Earth-loving architect had a good sense of humor about the day he declared 45 years ago this week. He said he knew hundreds of millions of people will do absolutely nothing to celebrate underground living, but that was OK with the World War II Marine and former Harvard teacher. Wells said he just wanted people to leave the land no worse than they found it — and living as close to Earth as possible was a start.
- Monday, May 13: Apple Pie Day
- Tuesday, May 14: Dance Like a Chicken Day
- Wednesday, May 15: Chocolate Chip Day
- Thursday, May 16: Sea Monkey Day
- Friday, May 17: Bike to Work Day
- Saturday, May 18: HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
- Sunday, May 19: Take Your Parents to the Playground Day
The Monday Mark is a weekly feature celebrating the most unusual holidays of the week.
FAQs
According to National Day Calendar , approximately 6,000 people in North America reside in some kind of underground architecture. No, they are not hobbits (as far as we know). Many people who choose subterranean living do so to help the environment.
Do people live on the underground? ›
Underground living refers to living below the ground's surface, whether in natural or manmade caves or structures (earth shelters). Underground dwellings are an alternative to above-ground dwellings for some home seekers, including those who are looking to minimize impact on the environment.
What do you need to live underground? ›
If you are going to be underground for very long periods of time you will need to have your water set up to some sort of renewing water source and you will also need a ton of space to keep the food you have fresh. This means many refrigerators and a reliable power generator.
Why don t more people live underground? ›
Constructing an underground home can be expensive, and it can be difficult to find suitable land for building. Additionally, some people may find the lack of natural light and outdoor space to be a drawback.
Is it possible for humans to live underground? ›
In the opal-mining town Coober Pedy in South Australia, 60 percent of the population capitalizes on this effect by living underground. The name Coober Pedy comes from an Aboriginal phrase, kupa piti, which means 'white man in a hole'.
How many people are living underground? ›
According to National Day Calendar , approximately 6,000 people in North America reside in some kind of underground architecture. No, they are not hobbits (as far as we know). Many people who choose subterranean living do so to help the environment.
Can there be life underground? ›
About 59% of all species on Earth live in soil, estimate researchers who reviewed global biodiversity data. This would make the ground the planet's single most biodiverse habitat. The figure doubles an earlier estimate and could be even higher because so little is known about soil, the researchers suggest.
Is there a place where people live underground? ›
There is a town in central Australia called Coober Pedy, which is an Opal site. Mine shafts as far as the eye can see. The area can be oppressively hot in summer and very cold in winter. People have adapted to living underground in previous diggings due to a more stable temperature.
Are there still underground cities? ›
Cappadocia city, located in central Turkey, is home to no less than 36 underground cities, and at a depth of approx. 85 m, Derinkuyu is the deepest.
Are underground homes safe? ›
Having a private and quiet outdoor space is one of the best benefits people enjoy with custom underground homes. ' Security is another benefit. Like underground nuclear bunkers and defence facilities, homes built below ground are virtually impregnable.
Most people are surprised to learn that- no matter what the weather is like where you live- the temperature underground always remains between 45 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
What are the dangers of living underground? ›
Air doesn't operate the same way as water below ground. The density of soil makes it difficult to breathe, and less air is found below ground, which explains why you suffocate shortly after being buried alive.
Are there people living under the ground? ›
In some places on Earth, the species that live below ground include humans. In Beijing, for example, more than 100,000 people are subterranean residents of the city, the BBC reports(Opens in a new window).
Did people ever live underground? ›
"And yet there are moments when we have retreated underground." Related: When did humans discover how to use fire? People throughout history have temporarily lived below the surface for various reasons. If there were no materials to build houses with, they dug subterranean homes, Hunt told Live Science.
