PREFACE

Geotecture is a conservation-based method of building, one that conserves land surface, thermal energy and life-cycle and maintenance costs. It frees the soil surface for the growth of vegetation by providing roof gardens instead of hard roofing such as tiles or metal roofing, so it permits recycling of the land surface back to nature. At the same time, it encloses the building in a material with a high thermal mass, and hence the capacity to store and save thermal energy. Saving in energy to heat and cool has been variously estimated as ranging from 40 to 100 per cent in the short term. While the monitoring of long-term life-cycle and running costs is as yet incomplete, these are conservatively estimated as being approximately 50 per cent less than in a conventional above-ground house. Earth-covered or earth-sheltered architecture may also have an application to urban settlements as availability of land around these urban centres decreases. Planning options that permit the dual, or multiple, use of land could help to ease some of the attendant socioeconomic pressures. Geotecture provides the option of leaving of leaving the ground surface available for gardens or recreation, the protection of natural environments such as national parks and the use of land for agriculture and permaculture®.

While Australia at present may be relatively independent with respect to fossil fuels, ultimately the conservation of fossil fuels, ultimately the conservation of non-renewable resources will become essential; consequently, any alternative energy ‘pathway’ that may ease economic pressures should be explored. Geotecture, representing one of these alternatives, was a concept envisaged by H. G. Wells in his 1935 scenario for the film Things to Come. He predicted:

An explosive blast…The smoke clears and the work of the engineers of this new age looms upon us…the old familiar hill-contour is in the background and quite recognisable, but the old town itself under the open sky has disappeared and given place to a few terraces and external structures…grass slopes and formal trees. It is very tranquil and beautiful, the apotheosis of Everytown.

Already there are signs that this prophetic statement can become a reality, and that these ideas are going to have a considerable influence upon future living patterns when buildings will be integrated with natural environments.

We are watching the birth of an idea that could lessen the burden of increased human populations on natural systems, as well as effect improvements in the physiological and psychological health of tomorrow’s citizens. This book was written for those who wish to share in making a reality of this vision.

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