# Burrowing Eco Abodes The Underground Vals House Lets in Light and Views By Robyn Currie | Published 2009-12-08 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/underground-vals-house References: [treehugger](http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/12/underground-house-vals.php) & [christian-muller](http://www.christian-muller.com) The city of Vals, Switzerland is known for its thermal baths. An ingenious homeowner, not wanting to disrupt the views of the baths, or the slope of the alps, [took his home underground](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plan-b-1) and the underground Vals house was born. Introducing a concrete patio to the [steep incline of the hills](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-the-slope), allowed for tons of natural lighting, and great views of the opposite side of the narrow valley. By taking the design below ground, the design team of SeArch and [Christian Muller Architects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/azzedine-alaa-foundation) made one heck of an underground Vals house. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.7/10 - Popularity: 82% | Activity: 80% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Underground Architecture:** Opportunity for innovative designs that integrate buildings into the natural landscape while maximizing natural lighting and views. - **Disruptive Housing Solutions:** Potential for alternative housing options that blend seamlessly with the environment and provide unique living experiences. - **Sustainable Urban Development:** Chance to explore eco-friendly strategies for urban spaces by utilizing the existing topography and preserving natural beauty. ### Where This Applies - **Architecture:** Architects can leverage underground architecture to create innovative and eco-friendly solutions for housing and urban development projects. - **Construction:** Construction companies can adapt their practices to cater to the growing demand for underground and eco-conscious building projects. - **Real Estate:** Real estate developers have an opportunity to offer unique, underground housing options that cater to consumer preferences for sustainable and integrated designs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Partially Buried Tranquil Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-under-the-ground.md) - [Geometric Cave-Like Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cavelike-homes.md) - [Chilean Hillside Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-three-heights.md) - [Residential Mountain Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avber-house.md) - [Exposed Concrete Stealthy Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/villa-eternal-way.md) - [Anticipatory Architectural Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vulcan-house.md) - [Sustainable Swiss Chalets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ls-design.md) - [Nature-Rooted Family Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/haus-am-lagnesberg.md) - [Hillside Embedded Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-the-slope.md)