The Dune House

Building in the Ground

Project
Eco Villa
Location
Bergen NH
Realization
2010

The brief was clear: design a house that looks modest from the outside but feels spacious from within. Our original plan featured a two-story home with a pitched roof—until we learned that the new zoning laws were being contested by local residents. Waiting for a court ruling would take too long. In consultation with the client, we decided to turn necessity into an opportunity and go down instead of up. The result: a semi-underground home with exceptional natural light and an unexpected sense of space.

Thanks to the insulating properties of the earth, the house is highly energy-efficient. It remains cool in summer and comfortably warm in winter. A heat pump, solar water heaters, and CO₂-controlled ventilation further contribute to a sustainable indoor climate. The green roof not only provides additional insulation but also preserves the overall amount of greenery on the site.

Designed as a split-level structure, the interior spaces flow seamlessly into one another. No hallways or enclosed compartments, but a continuous space stretching across two levels, offering surprising sightlines. The wooden superstructure rests on a concrete basement shell, which is anchored directly into the sandy dunes without the need for traditional foundations.

Daylight cylinders channel sunlight deep into the lower level, making the underground spaces feel bright, airy, and open. In collaboration with landscape architect Luc Engelhard, we ensured that the transition between building and landscape feels entirely natural, allowing the house to blend seamlessly into its surroundings.

Semi-underground construction is nothing new—it’s an age-old principle that has been used in the Netherlands for centuries in the form of ice cellars. With smart subterranean designs, people in the past were able to store ice for up to two years. This project unites innovation with tradition. The result: a home that appears modest from the outside but feels expansive and open within.