In the past, round houses were much more common. Traditional circular shelters include igloos, tipis, African mud brick huts, yurts and British and European roundhouses. They were the shape of choice because they were strong, energy efficient, good for ventilation and air circulation, less vulnerable in strong winds and they used the least amount of materials relative to floor area.
Round houses have many benefits:
Less embodied energy
When it comes to house design, the fundamental rule is that a simple shape is much more sustainable than a complex shape. Of any shape, the circle has the shortest boundary relative to its area. This means that for any given floor area a circular house has less wall length and therefore less materials. The next most efficient space is a square followed by a rectangle.
Energy efficiency
Since round houses have less surface area, relative to floor space, there is less surface coming into contact with the weather outside. Therefore, it takes less energy to maintain their interiors to comfortable temperatures.
Round houses are also more aerodynamic and therefore, admit fewer draughts which also makes them more energy efficient.
Earthquake and wind resistance
In a round house there are dozens of interconnected points which give the building a unique combination of flexibility and strength – qualities which make them significantly safer in earthquakes.
The aerodynamic properties also make round houses more resistant to hurricane-level winds (and tsunamis for that matter). In areas prone to gale-force winds and hurricanes, the wind pushes strongly against the flat sides of standard houses, eventually destroying them if the winds are strong enough. Whereas the wind against a round house is deflected off easily. Also, a rounded roof is less affected by wind planing which is when a strong wind lifts the roof structure up – and sometimes completely off a house.
Less expensive
Round houses can cost significantly less to construct. Traditional houses, with their multiple surfaces, are complicated structures. Round houses, though, are relatively simple, they use less materials and take less time to build. They use 15 to 20% less materials per square metre (or square foot) than a rectangular design! Less surface area means they are also less costly to maintain over time.
You can learn how to make an earth-bag roundhouse for only $5,000 here:
Better acoustics
Sounds are softer inside the house making it ideal for rest and reflection, but also for socialising and playing music. The shape also resists noise penetrating from the outside. Sound waves dissipate as they wrap around the building, shielding the interior from loud noise outside.
Intangible qualities
David Raitt, yurt builder, said “Circular living provides a balance of looking inward and outward, looking out at the natural environment and surroundings but then coming in again to the self and the hearth.”