The Vital Signs Project: The Gund-Ream Ranch Case Study

Hypothesis Development and Hypotheses

Following our visit to the Gund-Ream Ranch House, we regrouped back at Moscow to discuss our preliminary findings and decide on the hypotheses that we would test in this investigation. This page presents our findings at the Gund-Ream Ranch House and then the five hypotheses we eventually settled on. It briefly discusses how and why we chose each hypothesis, and then at the end of each statement, a link connects to the data and analysis associated with that hypothesis.

Preliminary Findings: To Find the Purpose of the Earth-Shelter Design Strategy

Before our investigation began, we discovered some interesting facts about the Gund-Ream Ranch House that helped us shape our hypotheses.

This earth-sheltered residence immediately brought to mind, does it have a purpose? By elevating four hundred and fifty-two yards of topsoil and related material weighing up to three thousand pounds per cubic yard when wet, we were content to find out if there is some kind of an advantage in going through all this extra effort and structural integrety?

Therefore, we went to work intent on determining the specific purpose of the underground residence. Numerous ideas came to mind, but the most overriding factor was what the owners wanted out the design, to dwell within the natural environment in harmony. We wanted to investigate beyond the natural ecology of the Gund-Ream Ranch House to find out the specifics regarding the thermal aspects of the residence? Does the earth-shelter conserve energy with its insulating properties? Cool in the summer, warm in the winter, earth-sheltered designs ask very little of their cooling and heating systems.

It suprises many people to discover that solar heating and underground architecture go so well together. What could be more logical than letting the sun and the earth work together. Sometimes it is simply hard to believe that so many good things could happen when we pull a blanket of living earth up over our north shoulder and welcome the sun at our south side.


A baffle obscures the location where the
top ducts should be located

This last modification may have affected the thermosiphon loop. The windows were installed up near where the openings to the ducts are. Unfortunately, there is a baffle that obscures the point where the roof of the sunspace meets the wall, so a simple inspection from floor level does not reveal if the ducts are still open.


View of planters along southeastern exposure

Hypotheses

Based on these findings, we developed five hypotheses about the physical performance of the Siegel House to test. The five hypotheses are presented here, then each is described in more detail on the rest of this page.

• Does the skylight generate a "chimney effect" causing heat loss in the winter?
• How does the building earth-shelter features perform during the summer, and likewise in the winter?
• How do the as-built conditions of the sod-roof handle the severe weather conditions of the site?
• Does the incorporation of the natural daylighting create a comfortable interior environment?
• Is the residence functional in relation to the needs of the homeowners?

1. The skylight generates a "chimney effect" causing heat loss in the winter.
   
   
2. The earth shelter is acting as a thermal mass reducing heating and cooling needs.
   
   
3. Some of the design strategies of the original design have been modified, such as the drainage strategy of the as-built sod-roof.
   
   
4. We were impressed with the designer's use of natural daylighting.
   
   
5. The Gund-Ream ranch house satisfies the homeowner's conception of natural ecology.

"Chimney Effect" Our first hypothesis is based on the fact that the skylight in the Gund-Ream Ranch House seemed to be leaking water -it needed to be resealed. The skylight, being the highest point in the structure of the residence, must be undergoing some extreme pressure trying to contain the majority of the heat within the building. So, no wonder it has been continuously leaking water because it projects into the harsh wind and contains some of the largest air pressures throughout the building.We came to the conclusion that the skylight must be losing heat to the outside environment, if it is leaking water; thus, if water can penetrate the building, then air can escape the residence.

View of skylight perched atop the sod-roof

To formulate our hypothesis, we began investigating by asking the caretaker about the skylight. The caretaker informed us that the skylight did have some problems and was recently sealed furthering the cost of construction. We formulated a theory that the skylight collects heat, and transfers the heat energy to the outside environment via the cracks within the sealant, and window transmittance. In other words we expected the skylight to be a major contributer to the heat loss of the residence. For our first hypothesis, we focused on the skylight only.

Hypothesis 1: The skylight generates a "chimney effect" causing heat loss in the winter.

Passive Earth-Shelter Features Concerning the earth-shelter features, we believe that one of the design intents was to use the earth as a thermal storage unit to reduce the heating and cooling needs of the Gund-Ream Ranch House. By using the earth as insulation in earth-sheltered design, the idea is to use the average mean temperature of the earth (typically 50 degrees Farenheit) to avoid heating and cooling needs. The HOBO temperature loggers revealed the quantitative data needed to illustrate the heating aspects of the building. Earth-sheltering blocks and diverts the wind patterns from entering the building. We also found that good connections result in efficient barriers for the building from the earth-sheltered foundation wall to the clerestories and from the clerestories to the roof.

The living blanket of earth covering the northern exposure

The cooling design scheme for summer takes advantage of the average mean temperature of the earth, similar to the heating stategies. The cooling strategies are well intact when coupled with passive earth-shelter features, stack ventilation (operable skylight), and cross-ventilation (admitting the cool breezes from the nearby pond).

Hypothesis 2: The earth shelter is acting as a thermal mass reducing heating and cooling needs.

Sod-Roof Drainage Our third hypothesis considers how the severe weather conditions affect the sod-roof (high winds, heavy rains and moderate snow loads). A larger water catchment system was integrated to provide more efficient water filtration from the roof to the ground (see picture). Lava rock was used instead of gravel because of its pourous properties enhancing better drainage. The drain was also modified with metal inserts that diverted the water away from the wood, thereby reducing the risk of wood rot. Hypothesis 3: Some of the design strategies of the original design have been modified, such as the drainage strategy of the as-built sod-roof.

Roof edge looking toward entry

Natural Daylighting Features During each of our site visits we couldn't help but notice the impact of the natural daylighting in the final as-built state. We felt that the natural lighting was successful due to the physical appearance of a well lighted and delicate interior. Traditional earth-sheltered homes have a tendency to become overbearing and dark due artificial lighting and the lack of efficient natural daylighting. The "little big window" lecture taught by Professor Bruce Haglund holds true in this case. Small apperatures within walls to provide natural daylighting can be efficient if designed correctly. Thus, we were very impressed with the design of the natural daylighting in the Gund-Ream Ranch House. Hypothesis 4: We were impressed with the designer's use of natural daylighting.

View of glazing providing natural daylighting to the main room

View of residence looking southeast with cottonwoods in the background	View looking west of the residence and adjacent wildlife and fish habitat

The Natural Ecology

After just a few brief visits to the Gund-Ream Ranch we were impressed with how well the building functions along with its natural surroundings. The building is lost amoung the fields, groves of trees and shrubs, ponds, and a back-drop of rugged mountains within the northwestern U.S. A projecting skylight is the only visible outcrop signifying the presence of human existance. This hidden effect is achieved by folding a living blanket of earth around the residence. Planters enhance this effect further by adding vegetitation. Protection from the extreme environment has been achieved while still maintaining the natural context of rolling hills. Yet, with all of this in mind, a comfortable naturally daylighted living environment for the owners has been provided.

Hypothesis 5: The Gund-Ream ranch house satisfies the homeowner's conception of natural ecology.

Comments to author:  mose9231@uidaho.edu, wong9195@uidaho.edu