Sustainable Living Through Architecture

"The design of the houses is fully integrated into the landscape. "We located this whole compound for a number of reasons," Radoccia said. "Buildings are cupped into the side of the hill, protecting them from wind that comes down the canyon." In this process, called earth-berming, the houses are built eight feet into the ground, which protects the buildings thermally. Year-round, through summer's scorching heat and winter's snows, the back wall of these buildings is always 55 degrees."