Ask HN: Possible to go/live underground to cool off?

I remember 40 years ago or so, underground or partially-underground houses were a thing - at least where I was occasionally in Pottsville (??), Pennsylvania.

I don't really remember why it was a thing, but I think I remember that it was because having a house underground-ish -- say, with just one face of the house exposed -- kept the house at earth temperature, which was generally a good thing -- no need to heat, nor cool. I think at the time maybe people were talking about heating bills??

If all that makes sense, could we do it again?

I always thought that it was awful to force humans underground -- like with subways -- but if it's a matter of survival...

I’ve seen a few of these. A family friend built a custom energy-efficient house in the ‘80s that is partly built into a hillside. The other main feature is automatic ventilation when exterior temperature/humidity conditions are favorable (basically just automatically opening windows using ‘80s-era home automation electronics). My guess is you don’t see more of these because the site-specific architect and engineering costs put it out reach for non-wealthy people, unless you have the skills to DIY much of it. Plus possible maintenance issues and building code and insurance hassles. Here’s a basic intro from the DoE: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/efficient-earth-sheltered...

Instead of building underground you could use earthen materials but stay above ground.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuQB3x4ZNeA

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I recently learned of a spectacular example of this: The Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forestiere_Underground_Gardens

> The Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno, California are a series of subterranean structures built by Baldassare Forestiere, an immigrant from Sicily, over a period of 40 years from 1906 to his death in 1946.

> Baldassare dug a small cellar to escape the summer heat. He was likely influenced by Roman catacombs and wine cellars he had seen in Italy. Finding it effective and comfortable, he carved a series of attached rooms and took up residence there. Baldassare then began experimenting with growing trees in underground chambers with skylights, and found that with care they would grow well, and being below ground protected them from frost.

http://www.undergroundgardens.com/

See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_sheltering