Caves are dark! Are Earth Sheltered Houses dark too?
The front rooms have as much light as an “above ground” house, often more! The key to getting light into the rear rooms is to design internal courtyards with windows into the rear rooms. These courts are usually only about one or two metres across, but that is all that is needed to let in plenty of light. They usually have white gravel on the floor to reflect light into the rooms. Hanging and potted plants create a visually softening element to the rooms, and the sky can be seen above, eliminating any feeling of isolation. Many inner-city houses today have similar courtyard layouts with small private courts. Q: I worry about them being stuffy and airless! A: The internal courtyards let the house “breath” by creating natural ventilation. On windy days the airflow over the roof draws air up out of the court. If the windows to the court are opened slightly then airflow is drawn across the room from the front room windows. And it doesn’t matter in which direction the wind is blowing! On ho
