For those wanting to lessen their negative impact on the environment, the best place to build is down. Known as “underground homes” or “low-impact houses,” these structures minimize the amount of green space used by containing entire buildings below the Earth's surface. Two English firms–NC Homes and Huntsmere–have proposed an underground dwelling that's as luxurious as a conventional, above-the-soil structure. Called Perdu, it's a circular three-bedroom home located on the grounds of Bowdon in Manchester.
When building underground, there's always the concern of having ample natural light. To mitigate this, Perdu has a dome-shaped passage in the center that allows sunlight to enter the home. Its other environmentally-friendly features include rainwater harvesting, a heat exchange system, and hot water that's warmed with the help of solar tubes.
Aside from its unique location, Perdu is comparable to any other home. It has a full kitchen, living area, bedrooms, and workout space. There's also a swimming pool (albeit subterranean) that's complete with a waterside. This opulent, eco-conscious space doesn't come cheap, however: it's priced at approximately $3.7 million to own.
