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An
earth-sheltered house is generally set into a south-facing
slope. Windows on the south let in the winter sun. Earth
on the other three sides, as well as above and below the house,
contributes to energy efficiency.
Such
a house usually occupies a lot by itself. Could a similar
arrangement be used for high-density housing on level ground, such as condominiums?
(TEXT
CONTINUED BELOW)

Refer
to the north-south section at the bottom of this drawing. The
lowest level alternates parking-garage lanes (running east and west)
with blocks of bedrooms and utilities, which are connected to
south-facing living rooms on the level above. The living rooms
are covered with earth that's banked around the edges and on the roofs.
On
the plan above, you can see that this results in a checkerboard
pattern of mounds, all facing south. Skylights in the lawn,
indicated by lower-case letters, illuminate the bedrooms below.
There's also stairway access between the lower level and the lawn.
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