1166 N Long Rd, Pierson, MI 49339

Please see the details below regarding the "Safe House," a unique, energy-efficient, and sustainable earth-sheltered home and design studio built in 1984. Property Overview: - Lot Size: 3.2 private acres - Living Space: 1,458 sq ft main floor with three bedrooms - Garage: 648 sq ft one-stall attached garage - Interior Features: All-electric fireplace set in a real rock fireplace Design & Sustainability Features: - Earth-Sheltered Construction: Poured concrete walls vary in height based on direction, sheltering the building from cold winter winds. - Green Roof: Accessible roof featuring a biodiverse mixture of plant species. - Seasonal Efficiency: The design allows for full shade in the summer to minimize air conditioning needs, while increasing natural light penetration during the shorter winter days. Please see the details below regarding the "Safe House," a unique, energy-efficient, and sustainable earth-sheltered home and design studio built in 1984. Property Overview: - Lot Size: 3.2 private acres - Living Space: 1,458 sq ft main floor with three bedrooms - Garage: 648 sq ft one-stall attached garage - Interior Features: All-electric fireplace set in a real rock fireplace Design & Sustainability Features: - Earth-Sheltered Construction: Poured concrete walls vary in height based on direction, sheltering the building from cold winter winds. - Green Roof: Accessible roof featuring a biodiverse mixture of plant species. - Seasonal Efficiency: The design allows for full shade in the summer to minimize air conditioning needs, while increasing natural light penetration during the shorter winter days. How Earth Berming Works: The performance of this structure relies on thermal mass and geothermal regulation. The surrounding soil acts as a thermal battery, absorbing and slowly releasing heat (thermal lag) to dampen the effects of extreme outdoor temperatures. At several feet below the surface, the earth's temperature remains relatively constant year-round (typically between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit). By burying the walls beneath this thermal boundary, the house interfaces with a stable temperature zone. This reduces the temperature differential between the inside and outside, making the structure warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than a conventional home, thereby requiring less energy to maintain a comfortable indoor climate.