Attributes of Indoor Environmental Quality to Earth-sheltered Building Design

Abstract

This paper discusses the environmental attributes to underground building shape and configuration, materials, structures, use, maintenance, lighting, occupancy, and management. These criteria are hypothesized to be of more influences on the building environment in the cases of underground spaces than in the aboveground. The aim is to approach and link together the many recent architectural and engineering factors that affect indoor environmental quality (IEQ) as a contribution to the affordability and sustainability of present earth sheltered building design and development. To attain its goals, the study develops a conceptual micro-framework of healthy buildings' parameters and economic aspects for evaluating links between sustainable construction and outcomes of health, productivity, and affordability. The conclusion indicates the importance of integrating appropriate technologies into earth sheltered space design, while the recommendations conform with environmental organizations and policies' directives in both their short and long-term development plans to provide affordable and healthy earth sheltered interiors.