COST: About $120 per square foot
HOW IT WORKS: Soil that protects the walls
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and flooding
Photo: Formworks
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Formworks has built everything from farmhouses to single-family homes. While the company has only worked in the US and Canada, it can ship earth-sheltered houses abroad.
“You can be sleeping when a tornado hits, and you’ll be OK,” Pearcey said.
COST: About $120 per square foot
HOW IT WORKS: Soil that protects the walls
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and flooding
Photo: Formworks
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According to Pearcey, earth-sheltered houses use about one-tenth the energy of traditional houses. If a storm were to cause a power outage, the house would maintain its temperature for several weeks. Homeowners would just need a small backup generator.
COST: About $120 per square foot
HOW IT WORKS: Soil that protects the walls
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and flooding
Photo: Formworks
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The walls are made from reinforced steel, Styrofoam, and concrete — all super-durable materials.
The interior features a cathedral-arched ceiling. Arches are less vulnerable to forces from air pressure. This comes in handy during hurricanes and tornadoes.
COST: About $120 per square foot
HOW IT WORKS: Soil that protects the walls
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and flooding
Photo: Formworks
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Unlike traditional buildings, earth-sheltered houses have few walls exposed to the elements. Formworks also regrades the landscapes outside its houses so that in the event of heavy rainfall, water is directed away from the structures, the company’s CEO, Dale Pearcey, said.
COST: About $120 per square foot
HOW IT WORKS: Soil that protects the walls
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and flooding
Photo: Formworks
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Formworks builds houses on flat land or in the sides of hills and covers them with grass. Because the houses are semi-underground, they are resilient to strong winds and flying debris from hurricanes and tornadoes.
COST: About $120 per square foot
HOW IT WORKS: Soil that protects the walls
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and flooding
Photo: Formworks
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A recent tornado approached the back door of a Formworks-designed, earth-sheltered house near Oklahoma City. But instead of ripping the house to shreds, the tornado traveled above the residence and then carried on.
Several other traditional houses in the neighborhood were destroyed.
