Skip to main content

Slide from bedroom to subterranean pool in this posh underground mansion

The Morlocks in H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine did not make living underground seem fun. For one thing, their skin was sort of grey from lack of sunlight. But there are a lot of benefits to underground homes. Building houses underground lets residents of Coober Pedy, Australia live comfortably when the Fahrenheit temperatures up above reach into the 100s. Underground homes hold up equally well in snowy climes, and fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder will remember her dugout house on the banks of Plum Creek in Minnesota. The earth helps insulate the house and protect it from wind.

That eco-friendliness is just one reason someone might consider building an abode underground. If the house is in an area with lots of wildlife, digging in could help keep more of the landscape intact. Also, cities such as Singapore — where there are lots of people and little room — are looking into ways to increase capacity by building below the surface.

Oops! We couldn't load this video player
Recommended Videos

If we’ve sold you on the benefits of living underground, may we also suggest you take inspiration for your home from Huntsmere and NC Homes? Together, the two firms designed a proposed underground house that has the best of both the above- and underworld. The potential site would be on the grounds of a 19th Century house in England, below a landscaped garden. With three bedrooms and a circular shape, everything centers around a dome that lets in natural light. A garden “folly” (a building typically constructed for no aesthetics instead of function) would hide the stairs down to the house. The best part, though, is the slide to the subterranean swimming pool.

Though the area’s council approved the plan in 2009, it’s not clear whether construction has begun. However, NC Homes has been commissioned for another underground house near Shrewsbury, where you “would stand absolutely no chance of getting planning permission for a traditional, above-ground home,” according to David Giles, who’s handling the sale.

Leo Watson
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Please reach out to The Manual editorial staff with any questions or comments about Leo’s work.
Discover the 8 best Max original series for every binge-watcher
Max is known for HBO shows, but these original series are just as good
The cast of Hacks Season 3

Back when Max was known as HBO Max, the Warner Bros. streamer was best known for its association to the first company in its title. HBO is the type of name that conjures images of Tony Soprano popping a cap in a rival mob boss and Tyrion Lannister delivering a monologue for the ages. When one channel has had so many great original shows it overshadows the other great content a streaming service that might also reside there.

Max has many original series made exclusively for them rather than HBO, and they deserve the same recognition. Max's original programming consists of excellent LGBTQ+ series, fascinating miniseries, top-flight medical dramas, and even this past year's winner for Outstanding Comedy Series at the Emmy Awards. These are the best Max original series you need to stream right away.

Read more
The 13 best Stephen King books to read, ranked
Need a good horror story? Here are our top picks from acclaimed author Stephen King
Stephen King book signing

We live among walking legends, from LeBron James and Steven Spielberg to Paul McCartney and Meryl Streep. I know that when I think about authors, Stephen King is right there at the top of my list. The 77-year-old from Maine has written countless classics, with a signature ability to instill fear and keep readers helplessly attached to the plot.

Dubbed the "king of horror," King is a living icon, still turning out quality material. Some of the scariest concepts that continue to creep you out — the clowns, the twins in the hallway, the buried pets — are the handy work of King. It's no wonder many join me in considering him to be one of the greatest writers of all time.

Read more
Disney CEO says that ESPN’s new streaming app will incorporate fantasy and betting
Disney is all in on ESPN as a streaming destination
ESPN Plus logo on smartphone.

The streaming landscape has been around for more than a decade, but the world of sports streaming is still emerging. In a recent earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Iger said that the company has a plan to win the war for sports fan's attention through ESPN.

Iger said that he wants to make ESPN available “however the consumer wants it, wherever the consumer wants it." The Disney head said that the plan to get ESPN in front of consumers involves giving them multiple ways to watch the app, whether it be as part of a cable package, on a standalone app that's set to launch later this year, or as part of streaming bundles that are being built out by Disney's rivals.

Read more