Experiencing warmth in underground architecture

Abstract

Architecture which is partially or totally beneath the earth's surface has the advantage of the high insulative capacity of the soil. As a result it takes less energy to warm an underground building than a comparably sized aboveground building.

However, many people consider underground architecture to be psychologically cold. This thesis shows that there is more to warmth than the much publicized thermal aspect. There is also a psychological warmth which is just as necessary as the physiologically based thermal warmth for the creation of viable underground architecture. Understanding in the areas of both psychological and physiological components of warmth will contribute to the creation of an experience which is holistic in nature.