tim0625 Posted June 27, 2014 Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 In another thread, we were kicking around shop AC systems as we usually do this time of year. What about an underground shop? Of course, Coastal SC probably isn't the place as it is called "The Low Country" but what about in the mid-west where it's drier or if you have property that backs up to a mountain? What about digging into the mountain to make a shop? Steady temps, low humidity, free land (I guess you could do this?), no basement stairs to navigate.... What say Ye?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted June 27, 2014 Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 You'd keep hitting your head on the stalactites and don't get me started on the stalagmites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 If the landscape and climate work in your favor, underground, or partial underground, could be excellent. I think having all or part of the roof exposed would be beneficial for skylights.... I live about 2 miles from one of the largest mound-builder complexes in North America. The museum / admin building for the park is above ground level, but banked with earth to resemble one of the Native American mounds. Makes for an awsome community tornado shelter, and their heating / cooling costs are just about non-existant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Hard red clay makes easy digging of basements and such in my area. Cooler in the summer easier to heat in the winter, sign me up ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 There are many that build their homes this way for exactly that reason. Makes sense that a shop would get the same benefits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Excellent idea, and cheap heat and a/c, not to mention free wood from the roots of the above ground trees entering through the ceiling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim0625 Posted June 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 I got an email a few years ago about a marijuana growing operation where the people had a house that was built basically against a mountain. They had tunneled into the mountain and opened it up into large rooms. they had a florescent lighting system and automatic watering of the pot plants growing in hundreds of 5 gallon buckets. I was thinking, heck, I'd like to buy that house NOW THAT IT WILL BE SOLD AT A GOVERNMENT AUCTION.....and put my shop in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 The story I read was that the grow operation was in a natural cave they tunneled into. High moisture could wreak havoc in a shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim0625 Posted June 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Could have been a natural cave. IF you own land that goes up to a mountain, is it legal to go back into the mountain? Would the line of your deed have to extend up the mountain a ways? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 check out e Earthship homes on you tube they are these old hippie Mother Earth News guys in New Mexico building under ground home for the last 20+ yrs. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=earthship+homes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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