Earth berm
An earth berm is a landscaping technique where a raised area of land is created as a feature or separation device, the term can also be used to describe smaller scale adjustments for example around a tree base to retain water during high downpours. The SuDS Manual published by CIRIA in 2015 defines a berm as: ‘A shelf or raised barrier separating two areas.’
The term earth berm may also be used to describe earth burmed houses or buildings, also called earth shelters or earth coupled buildings, these are buildings which are partially covered with earth on one side to create a berm, the other side is then open, with windows and openings. The design can create minimal impact as the earth bermed side is usually grassed and raises slightly to cover the building itself, keeping it relatively well hidden from most angles. Certain styles of these types of homes may also affectionately be called Hobbit houses.
One well known example of an earth bermed housing scheme is the Hockerton Housing Project, which is a linear cluster of five self-sufficient houses built in Nottinghamshire in 1997 by Brenda Vale. Although different projects take different approaches to detailing, one of the advantages of an earth burmed house is that if certain parts of the building are left insulation free the earth surrounding the building can help regulate temperature, this type of approach is known as earth coupling. The houses in Nottingham require minimal heating and have lower-than-normal energy consumption, supplied by onsite renewable energy generation from two 6 kW turbines and 7.6 kW solar panels.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Angstloch.
- Basement excavation.
- Basement Excavation (Restriction of Permitted Development) Bill.
- Basement impact assessment.
- Basement v cellar.
- Basement waterproofing.
- Basements.
- Bund.
- CarTube.
- Catacomb.
- Excavation.
- Gabion.
- Global undergrounds - exploring cities within.
- Oubliette.
- Planning (Subterranean Development) Bill.
- Substructure.
- Stad Ship Tunnel.
- The Lowline.
- Tired of the commute? It might be time to take cars underground.
- Tunnels.
- Underground.
Featured articles and news
The context, schemes, standards, roles and relevance of the Building Safety Act.
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.