10 Coolest Underground Houses

From : Maggie" (noreply@yahoo.com)

Date : Thursday, April 5, 2012 5:10 PM

 10 Coolest Underground Houses

We have come a full circle when it comes to housing arrangements. We started off living in caves and seem to have come back to the same point. This is because we’ve finally realized that it’s actually a very eco-friendly way to live. However, building a house underground is not an easy task and things are bound to get complicated. These 10 underground homes are so fabulous that it’ll make you want to build your own underground abode!

 

 

1) Flower Petals

 

Located in Bolton, UK this house belongs to British football star Gary Neville.  It is hidden under the ground except for the petal-shaped openings designed to allow the light to enter and light up the entire house.  It is sprawled across 8,000 sq ft and was designed by Make  Architects to keep energy consumption to a minimum.

 

2) Swiss Mountain Underground House

 

This unique house has been designed by the architects of SeArch, Netherlands and Christian Muller. It is located in the Swiss village of Vals and is hidden on all sides save for one. This magnificent structure has been planned in such a way that it completely eliminates the need of cooling in summers and heating in winters.

 

3) Estate Lättenstrasse

 

This house looks like its stepped straight out of a fairytale. The Swiss estate actually consists of 9 houses connected by stairs that lead down to a basement and even a parking lot. Designed by Vetsch Architektur, this house uses the ground as insulation and this is protected from rain, natural abrasion, wind and extreme temperatures.

 

4) The Cave House

 

Carved out of a mountain, this house is located in Festus, Missouri. It is the brainchild of Curt and Deborah Sleeper and has been used for many different purposes over time.  This 15,000 square foot residence was originally used as a mine for decades.  It was also used as concert venue and a roller skating rink. The cave house needs no air conditioning or a furnace for cooling and heating the house due to its intelligent design and geothermal heating.

 

5) Greek Isles Underground House

 

Designed by Deca Architecture, this underground house has been made only from natural materials. It has been carved in such a way that only the second story is visible above the ground. It has been specially designed to withstand that windy weather of the Aegean Sea.

 

6) Stone Desert Home

 

  The Stone desert home is built in such a way that it looks more like a half-buried ruin that a modern home. Designed by Deca, this eco-friendly house is built between the slopes of two adjacent hillsides and barely rises above the dessert level surrounding it. As the house is half-hidden in the earth, it utilizes natural light and heat as well as cooling cross-winds.

 

7) Malator Underground Eco House

 

  This house has been given the nickname of ‘Teletubby house’ because of its turf roof, steel chimney and peephole doorway. It has been phrased as the ‘blueprint for the future of Welsh Housing’ and is considered as one of Wales architectural masterpieces. The interior of the house is very simple, with only one room inside which is divided by prefabricated colored pods.

 

8) Sedum House

 

Sited in the steep sand hill in North Norfolk Coast, this house is a home of the future.  It is eco-friendly, easy to heat and cool and also has a unique rain water harvesting system. The main focal point of the design is the ‘sun’ even though most of the house is underground. It was built to maximize exposure to sunlight and thus the house has plenty of sunlight during the winters too.

 

9) Cave Dwellings

 

These cave dwellings are 700 years old and are carved out of natural volcanic rock formations. They’re situated at the base of Mt.Sahand, Iran. As these apartments are very old, they have all been renovated and have all the modern necessities of home.

 

10) Hidden house

 

This underground house from KWK Promes has been designed in such a way that only the residents of the house can access its roofs, via a set of stairs inside the house. It has been built keeping modernistic elements in mind and is a perfect blend of indoor and outdoor features for its residents.

Read more: http://www.funonthenet.in/articles/underground-houses.html#ixzz1rH4OPLrD

Stepmother gave birth hours after arrest for 'killing girl, 9,

The woman accused of 'running to death' her nine-year-old stepdaughter - who died of extreme dehydration - gave birth the same day she was arrested.

Joyce Hardin Garrard, 46, and 27-year-old Jessica Mae Hardin, from Alabama, were charged with the murder of Savannah Hardin yesterday, who they made run without stop for three hours as punishment for lying about eating a candy bar.

Hardin was transferred from the Etowah County Detention Center to a hospital where she is currently under guard after giving birth hours after she was arrested. It is unclear whether the baby is a boy or girl.

Roger Simpson, who lives up the hill from the double-wide trailer where Savannah lived with Jessica and her father Robert Hardin, said he saw the girl running in the yard.

When emergency vehicles arrived at the home hours later, he said he thought they were there for the pregnant Jessica.

Alabama law requires people who are arrested to be informed of the charges against them in an initial appearance within 72 hours. Barton said Jessica Hardin's hearing will likely be held once she is released from the hospital.

The Alabama Department of Human Resources has been called in to create a safety plan for Jessica's newborn, as well as the couple's three-year-old son, Harp said.

The older child has been placed with a relative, and the plan is for the infant to be given to the same relative when it leaves the hospital. Speak said he could not reveal with whom the children were placed.

Savannah had a bladder condition common to young girls that meant she shouldn't have chocolate because of the caffeine content, Harp said. He said there is no evidence that the condition contributed to her death.

More...

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Authorities say Savannah was forced to run in the afternoon of Friday, February 17. At around 6:45pm Jessica called 911, telling dispatchers Savannah was having a seizure and was unresponsive.

The girl was taken to Children's Hospital in Birmingham where she was kept on life support while Robert Hardin, a contractor with the U.S. State Department, took eight flights to return to Alabama.

Robert Hardin made the decision to pull Savannah off life support, and she died on Monday.

Cruelty: Grandmother Joyce Hardin Garrard (left) and stepmother Jessica Mae Hardin (right) have been charged with the murder of Savannah Hardin, nine

Her death was ruled a homicide by a state pathologist and preliminary reports show she was extremely dehydrated and had a very low sodium level - a chemical necessary to prevent seizures and dehydration.
Harp said he may pursue capital murder charges, which carry a possible death sentence. He said his office is interviewing neighbors who had seen Savannah running and expects to have a decision on the charges in a day or two.

The district attorney said he was not aware of any defense attorneys for the two women. He said in their initial appearance they will be advised of the charges against them and offered a public defender.

Bond for Garrard and Jessica Hardin is set at $500,000 each.

Sheriff Todd Entrekin told the Birmingham News: 'It's sad when a family is grieving over the death of a daughter and granddaughter and so soon to find out that the death could have been prevented.
'My thoughts and prayers are with the family.'
Garrard and Hardin were being held at the Etowah County Detention Center on $500,000 bail.

Gail Denny and her husband Phil, live just up a dirt road from the home. They've known the family since they moved to the area in northeastern Alabama seven years ago.

Concerns: Neighbours called the sheriff's office after witnessing what was happening to nine-year-old Savannah in the rural Carlisle community

The couple said they were used to seeing Savannah and other neighbourhood children out waiting on the school bus in the morning. Gail Denny said her grandson had a crush on Savannah.
'My grandson asked her to be his girlfriend on Valentine's Day, and she said 'yes,'" she said before dissolving into tears. She left a candle and stuffed animal outside the girl's home Wednesday night, saying a prayer as she paused beside the road.
The trailer where Savannah lived was surrounded by a wooden fence, playground equipment and toys. Neighbors say they never saw children playing in the yard.
They said that Garrard owned a lot of property along the road and much of her family lived in homes on that property.
'It seems like a very happy extended family around here,' Denny said. 'There are mothers, grandmothers, kids. It sounds like a punishment that got out of hand.'
Garrard and Jessica Mae Hardin are being held in the Etowah County Detention Center, each on a $500,000 cash bond.
Court records show that Robert Hardin filed for divorce in August of 2010. In his complaint, he asserted his wife was bi-polar and had alcoholic tendencies. He accused her previously of having run off with the couple's own child. In her response, Jessica denied all of Robert's allegations.
Five months after filing for divorce, the two asked a judge to dismiss their case.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2105028/Grandmother-stepmother-charged-murder-Savannah-Hardin-9-Etowah-County-Alabama.html#ixzz1nPI6jZsP

11 Original Stress Busting Products

Tuesday, January 3, 2012 6:56 AM

From:Niyanta (niyanta@yahoo.com)

These are 11 unique ways to beat stress! In this high stress world, the more unique & fun the more effective it is to relieve stress!

 

 PuchiPuchi Virtual Bubble Wrap

This Japanese product simulates the sound and feel of popping bubble wrap, and best yet, you can pop forever because this bubble wrap never run out.


Breast Stress Toy
 

A Stress Bust to Bust stress! Squeezing one of these is sure to take your mind off of whatever is stressing you out.

Stressbeater Brass Knuckles

Slip on these squishy faux brass knuckles and give them a squeeze whenever you feel your temper rising!


Smack Him Punching Bag

Husband or boyfriend stress? Know you can work out your aggression without getting yourself arrested!


Magic Sakura Tree

Now you can have your very own Japanese cherry tree right on your desk! This tree is made of paper and comes with special "magic water;" once you water it the beautiful, soothing pink blossoms appear on the tree and last for up to one month.


Geek Cube LED Light Show

Over 1000 colorful LED light patterns will transform your office into Relaxation Central.


Moonlight Pillow

Create instant mood lighting with this plush light-up pillow. A hidden battery pack helps turn any room into a Zen Den with its soft, shimmering light show.


LED Jellyfish Mood Lamp

Select your color with this LED desk lamp and watch as your own private sea of jellyfish gently undulate and float. Guaranteed to mesmerize!


Shiatsu Massage Lounger

Just sit back and say "Ahhhhhhhhh...."


Emergency Panic Button

When all else fails, and you just need to let out all that tension with a loud primal scream, why tax your vocal chords when you can use this handy panic button? One push of the button and the unit emits a blood-curdling scream that's sure to make you feel better instantly! 

Stress Relieving Beating Heart PIllow

Hugging this pillow relieves stress, causes naps.
Your heartbeat will sync with it and slow down.

Read more: http://www.funonthenet.in/articles/stress-relief.html#ixzz1iP64yC2l

Fw: 4-Year-Old Model Kristina Pimenova

--- On Sat, 12/17/11, Raj <raj@unknown.com> wrote: From: Raj <raj@unknown.com> Subject: [FunOnTheNet] 4-Year-Old Model Kristina Pimenova To: funonthenet@yahoogroups.com Date: Saturday, December 17, 2011, 10:39 AM Kristina Pimenova is only 4 years old but she is already a very well known girl in the fashion industry   . . __,_._,___