Mole Town, China

Earth’s Inertia as a Thermal Solution

Just outside the city of Sanmenxia, in China’s Henan province, lies a village nicknamed “Mole Town.” Underground dwellings called yaodong (“cave dwellings”) have been tucked away here for 4,000 years. More than 3,000 people still live there.

Connected by a series of caves and subterranean tunnels, these homesteads were built from local materials. Reaching depths of 6 to 7 meters and extending up to 10 to 12 meters in length, they naturally adapt to the region’s climate conditions. In winter, temperatures average 10 degrees Fahrenheit, while in summer they hover around 68 degrees. Designed to withstand natural disasters, large wells have also been dug next to the dwellings to prevent them from flooding during storms.

Similar principles can be found all over the world. Construction takes the lead from the local topography, turning constraints into opportunity.