Winters were cold in Coobrr Pedy and the flies made people miserable during its hot summers. While there were no trees for building homes were build underground where the temperature were more stable
and comfortable. The unique underground homes in Coober Pedy are known as "dugouts," and they are carved into the hillsides or underground. These underground homes provided insulation from the extreme hot temperatures in summer and the freezing cold in winter.
Since there were no trees in the area, the local residents had to come up with an alternative solution for building homes. They decided to create their homes underground to escape the harsh weather conditions. The dugouts were made by mining out the soft sandstone hills, creating spacious living quarters.
The underground homes in Coober Pedy have a constant temperature throughout the year, which makes them ideal for living. The temperature remains around 23 to 25 degrees Celsius (73 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit) inside the homes, regardless of the weather outside. This natural insulation keeps the residents warm in winter and cool in summer.
In addition to providing comfort, building homes underground in Coober Pedy also offered protection from the relentless flies that plagued the region during summer. The flies were attracted by the intense heat and were a constant annoyance to the people. By living underground, the residents could avoid the flies and enjoy a more peaceful living environment.
Today, many of the underground homes in Coober Pedy have been developed into unique tourist accommodations, attracting visitors from around the world. These underground accommodations offer a truly immersive experience, allowing visitors to experience the benefits of living in an underground home while exploring the fascinating landscape of Coober Pedy.
Here are the steps involved in building homes underground in Coober Pedy:
1. Select a suitable location: Find an area with stable terrain and preferably a flat surface where the underground home can be constructed. Take into consideration factors such as accessibility, drainage, and proximity to utilities.
2. Obtain necessary permissions: Check with local authorities to ensure compliance with building codes, regulations, and permits required for constructing underground homes.
3. Excavation: Begin the process by excavating the area where the home will be built. This involves digging into the ground to create the main living space and additional necessary rooms.
4. Reinforcement and structure: Reinforce the excavated area by constructing a strong foundation and ensuring stability. Use appropriate techniques like reinforced concrete, steel beams, or natural rock formations to support the structure.
5. Design and layout: Plan the layout of the underground home, keeping in mind factors such as natural light, ventilation, and functional spaces. Consider creating separate rooms for living, sleeping, dining, and utilities.
6. Insulation and climate control: Install insulation materials to regulate temperatures and enhance energy efficiency. Given the extreme climate in Coober Pedy, proper insulation is crucial to maintain a more stable temperature inside the underground home.
7. Utilities and services: Arrange for necessary utilities like electricity, water, sewage, and communication lines to be connected to the underground home. These may require additional work and planning due to the underground nature of the construction.
8. Ventilation and air circulation: Install proper ventilation systems to ensure fresh air circulation within the underground home. This will help prevent issues like humidity, odors, and poor air quality.
9. Lighting: Plan for adequate lighting through skylights, windows, or artificial sources to create a comfortable living environment. Given the lack of natural light underground, artificial lighting is necessary to illuminate the home.
10. Finishing touches: Complete the construction project by adding interior finishes, such as flooring, wall coverings, and furnishings. Consider the unique challenges of living in an underground home and choose materials suitable for the environment.
By following these steps, you can build homes underground in Coober Pedy, creating a more comfortable living environment in both extreme winters and hot summers while reducing the nuisance of flies.