SHELTERSPACE.COM

Earth Sheltered Houses - What and Why?

WHAT : Earth Sheltered Houses are usually built into the side of a hill, with their sides and rear in contact with the natural ground and the roof covered with earth. They can be built on flat sites, and these are referred to as the mounded type. The front typically faces down the slope and preferably to the North. (most cost-effective slope is 1:4). They are more commonly seen on rural properties, but with careful planning it may be possible to fit them on a suburban block . . . best to investigate this before purchasing land.

WHY : Thermal Stability and Bushfire Resistance are the main benefits that our clients give as the reason - and this is why, with the changes in global climates, many Australians are turning to this form of housing.

Building Designers

'Been doing it for years"

ShelterSpace are building designers who specialise in Earth Sheltered Houses for Australian conditions and climates.

We have clients all over the country, and we travel to meet them and see their sites when appropriate.

We take the project from initial concept to final council approvals with fully detailed construction drawings.

Our work is done when you have council approval to start building . . . but we keep in touch with build advice if needed.

'Been doing it for years"

We've been designing earth sheltered houses for 40 years - we've worked with over 80 clients.

We've done the research and have refined the construction system to suit the Australian building industry.

Many our our clients are owner-builders - we assist them with emails, phone calls, photos and construction videos.

Going Underground

Earth sheltered houses are also known as 'Underground' houses.

No matter what you call them, they are the way of the future and ready for a changing climate.

We are seeing a huge increase in interest in this form of housing, as people see them as the sensible housing option for sites with high bushfire risk.

Open House Tours

Going Underground

We hold regular Open House Tours - taking guests through recent homes in the Adelaide Hills area that our proud clients kindly allow us to view.

It's a good opportunity to talk with someone who actually lives in a ShelterSpace home.

It is often the case that one or two homes are under construction at the time of the tour - very helpful for would-be owner-builders in the group!

Our Team

Paul Mitchell

Paul's interest in earth sheltered homes goes back to the 1970s. He was awarded a cadetship in Architectural Draughting with the Commonwealth Dept of Housing and Construction in Canberra in 1966 and graduated from the Canberra Technical College in 1970.

He served his national service with the Royal Australian Engineers and was posted as an architectural draughtsman to Duntroon Royal Military College ACT.

Paul obtained a building licence in 1978 and started a design & construction business to build earth sheltered houses for his clients in South Australia.

In the late 1990s he stopped building to concentrate on designing this form of home for clients.

In 2003 he launched ShelterSpace web-site and since then the business has grown to cover the whole of Australia.

In 2016 Dale joined him and will continue Paul's extensive work in this field when he retires . . . in a year or two . . . !

Dale Lloyd

Dale met Paul serendipitously on an earth sheltered home building site and has been enjoying working with him ever since. He now works with Paul on the design and documentation of the ShelterSpace earth sheltered houses.

Dale is a practicing building designer / draftsperson with over 10 years experience.

After graduating from the Gordon Institute of TAFE in Victoria he worked for 5 years with a prominent Surfcoast building company establishing a strong foundation in bespoke design, construction, practicality and sustainable building practices.

His next role was within a local architectural office furthering his skills in project management & sustainable design through a wide range of unique residential & commercial projects.

Dale has also been self-employed, completing private work for builders and architects in both Victoria and South Australia, and has experience working on site with earth sheltered homes, straw-bale builds and traditional residential housing.

He is currently enjoying working and living in the beautiful Adelaide Hills.

Design Concepts

All our Earth Sheltered House designs are the result of a collaboration with our clients - you bring the dream and we bring the experience.

Our designs are all based on principals Paul has been developing and refining for the last 40 years - we've done the research, and pass it on to our clients.

Each house has one or two small courts at the rear that provide light and air-flow through the whole house - far exceeding the Building Code requirements for natural ventilation - It's the key to a healthy house.

We incorporate entry air-lock rooms that maximise thermal stability and reduce spark and ember ingress in bushfires.

Most of our designs have shaded outdoor living areas - its the Aussie thing!

Building Construction

In the early 1980s Paul adopted a construction system for his earth sheltered houses and has been developing and refining it for the last 40 years . . . introducing new materials and techniques only after they have been researched and tested.

The construction system incorporates well-known methods and building materials readily available in Australia.

Most of our homes are built by local builders chosen by the owners, and who we are usually in contact with during the design, documentation and build - it helps if all the parties are involved from the start.

Some clients elect to self-build . . . our drawings are very detailed and we assist owner-builders however we can with phone calls, emails, photos and videos.

ShelterSpace - Australian earth sheltered house designers

Earth Sheltered Houses - What and Why?

Building Designers

'Been doing it for years"

'Been doing it for years"

'Been doing it for years"

'Been doing it for years"

'Been doing it for years"

Going Underground

Going Underground

Going Underground

Open House Tours

Going Underground

Going Underground

Thermal Stability - a major benefit of earth sheltered house

Bushfire Resistance - designed for safety

Our Team

Paul Mitchell

Dale Lloyd

Design Concepts

Building Construction

ShelterSpace - Australian earth sheltered house designers

Earth Sheltered Houses - What and Why?

Building Designers

'Been doing it for years"

'Been doing it for years"

'Been doing it for years"

'Been doing it for years"

'Been doing it for years"

Going Underground

Going Underground

Going Underground

Open House Tours

Going Underground

Going Underground

Thermal Stability - a major benefit of earth sheltered house

Bushfire Resistance - designed for safety

Our Team

Paul Mitchell

Dale Lloyd

Design Concepts

Building Construction

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