Often called "bermed homes" or "dugout houses," these structures take the "hole" literally. Builders excavate a hillside or dig a massive pit, pour a concrete foundation, build the house, and then cover the entire structure (except the south-facing facade) with dirt.
In 2005, a small bungalow on Montrose Boulevard didn't just get a renovation—it got a literal hole through its heart. Artists Dan Havel and Dean Ruck turned two neighboring houses slated for demolition into a mind-bending vortex known as . What Was the "Hole House"? Hole House
But in recent years, the has transcended mere real estate slang to become a symbol of radical privacy, climate resilience, and minimalist survivalism. This article dives deep into the three distinct realities of the Hole House: the architectural masterpiece that defined a genre, the growing trend of earth-sheltered living, and the literal "holes" that billionaires are building to wait out the apocalypse. Often called "bermed homes" or "dugout houses," these
A "Hole House" is not merely a building with a window; it is a structure defined by what is missing. Whether it is a physical aperture carved through the center of a block, a void that serves as a courtyard, or a design philosophy centered on negative space, the Hole House represents one of the most daring and philosophically rich trends in modern living. Artists Dan Havel and Dean Ruck turned two