Monday Morning Millionaire, Earth Day Version: Underground House/Bunker on Buckner Hits the Market Again Just in Time for, Well, Earth Day!

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2001 N. Buckner FrontWelcome to the ultimate Green Structure in Dallas! That’s 2001 North Buckner Blvd, now listed with Vicki White of Dallas City Center. This is such a unique home, I am going to let Vicki do the talkin’ here, because she knows more about this home than anyone– maybe even the owners! 2001 Buckner was built in 1989, sits on, or I should say under, 1.84 acres, boasts 4561 square feet, three bedrooms, three baths, two living areas. Asking price: $1,150,000. Lowest utility bills in town. About the address – yes, the owners went to the city and applied for that number. Get it? 2001 A Space Odyssey! Here is another plus: the home has often referred to as a bunker, a perfect solution for those that are looking for the highest level of security. In addition, cameras mounted front and back give you 24/7 access to activity from any computer in the world. This coming after the disastrous week we had last might sway a few potential buyers!

“It is known to almost everyone in east Dallas/ White Rock area as “the underground house.” It’s a completely ‘Green’ house, built just before green living was all the rage. Yet that is exactly what the architect Frank Moreland and the home owner were working to achieve. With more than 100 tons of reinforced concrete over the dwelling, and 1000 tons of earth on top of the concrete, it is not only extremely energy efficient, it is also almost eerily quiet. The summer that temperatures in Dallas soared over 100 degrees for more than 70 days, the total electric bill for June, July and August combined was just over $200.00 in this house. Energy efficiency and security are what this home is all about.

This creek lot on 1.84 acres overlooks thick, lush foliage along Ash Creek. No other homes or buildings can be seen from the windows or the scenic back porch. There is a 100’ foot expance of windows going across the front (facing away from Buckner) that make you feel like you are living in a countryside or forest. Above the house, actually 22’ up from the living room floor is a turret of glass blocks protruding above the hill facing east and west. This allows sunlight to pour into the house below. Since there are no right angles in the walls, but only rounded corners, the light filters throughout the living areas, making it light and bright, so much you often need no lights during the daytime.

The only evidence that this 4561 square foot home exists on this property is the concrete three car garage that is imbedded in the hillside. It looks like a beautiful treed lot with greenery and a soft hill. Even the driveway, which will hold over a dozen cars, was built from Turfstone pavers, a grid- type base that allows grass to grow between the grids. This makes the driveway somewhat visually go away.

Architect Frank Moreland broke ground on 2001 N. Buckner in 1989 and the home was competed in 1991. Mr. Moreland stated this home would last well over 1000 years as it is protected from the elements and is considered almost fireproof.  Land disguises a dwelling in addition to the 1000 tons of earth, and 100 tons of reinforced concrete, and 60 tons of steel. Each piece of rebar was individually tagged and put together like a puzzle. It took 72 truckloads of concrete to pour the foundation, some of it as much as 6’ deep. Talk about secure: the contractor in charge of the concrete pour had just retired after pouring several rocket pads for Cape Kennedy. The home is as cozy as can be, but large enough to seat 60 people in the large great room!! There is bench seating built into the 1500 square foot living room that can seat 45.

The architect of the property was the late Frank L. Moreland, a Fort Worth native. Mr. Moreland was highly recognized in his field as an esteemed architect, college professor and author of four books on architecture and design, specifically about earth sheltered houses which were his passion. He received numerous degrees from UT Austin and TCU, meeting all the requirements for his doctorate. He earned his master’s degree at UC Berkley. He was highly influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. Later he became a professor at Penn State and the University of Texas where he taught architecture. In 1975, he coordinated a National Science Foundation conference on earth-covered buildings and edited the published proceedings; he did the same for the Department of Energy in 1979. In 1981, he prepared a report for FEMA. That was the year he left academia to follow his passion and become a contractor and start his own firm to build sustainable buildings as well as “earth sheltered” homes. That’s the “proper term” for the underground house, by the way. His inspiration was a professor from the Civil Engineering Department of the University of Texas: “He was an inspiration, and deeply influenced my interest in structures, particularly concrete. I vividly recall his presentation of the performance of reinforced concrete structures in the massive 1950s earthquake in Mexico City.”

He built 9 other earth sheltered houses before 2001 North Buckner, but this was his first in an urban setting.

The current owner had an interest in earth sheltered homes for many years. His curiosity caused him to start researching the concept and seeking an architect and designer. Then he began his search for the perfect lot. Meanwhile, Architect Frank Moreland had begun having private meetings in his home in Fort Worth attended by 6 or 8 couples for interested parties. He showed videos of his renderings and designs for earth sheltered homes and launded their benefits. Current owner Bill Coleman began attending those meetings and was smitten!

Coleman found the 1.8 acre plat on Buckner that backed to Ash Creek. Knowing that the earth sheltered part would be along Bucker to buffer noise, and the front door would essentially face the Creek. It is VERY quiet in his home. Coleman stated “Solitude in the middle of the city is one thing I’ve particularly grown to appreciate –“It’s like a park.”

Originally, this land had been under contract with a developer that wanted to erect 5 homes in that 1.8 acres rather than one.

After construction was complete, the owner commissioned renowned artist Carmen Valarde from Taos New Mexico to work on the interior. Carmen came to Dallas from Taos, New Mexico along with 3 men and her grandson. During those three weeks, with her own hands, Carmen applied the adobe surface to the three Kiva fireplaces, and a large banco (the benches surrounding the great room). She also built privacy walls, display walls and built in cabinets. They all have the flavor of a Taos style building.

Carmen is a household name in Taos. She received from the Smithsonian Institute and National Park Service a Certificate of Appreciation for her contribution to the Festival of American Folk life, and a host of other awards. She was even invited twice to represent New Mexico by the Smithsonian Institution of Washington D.C.

Bill Coleman and his wife, Mirella, purchased the land in 1985. When they broke ground they had a $500,000 budget. After a year of building, and ANOTHER $500,000 to the pot, they took a 9 month sabbatical to evaluate and discuss. It took 2 years from start to finish and the sheltered earth home, the first in Dallas, was finished in 1990.

Insurers take note: Mr. Coleman’s earth sheltered home has very low insurance risk thus low rates, since there is no chance of hail damage on the property as well as the fact it is said to be semi-fire resistant rated by the State of Texas due to the fact that it is a concrete structure and floor, likened to a commercial building. Architect Frank Moreland stated that this homes’ rock solid construction gives the structure a life expectancy of 1,000 years and beyond.

Let’s face it: this is the ultimate ‘GREEN’ building. Now the top of the house is covered in solar panels that decrease the energy by 1/3rd. While the property is very low upkeep, you still have to mow and water the roof!!

Here is another plus: the home has often referred to as a bunker, a perfect solution for those that are looking for the highest level of security. In addition, cameras mounted front and back give you 24/7 access to activity from any computer in the world. This coming after the disastrous week we had last might sway a few potential buyers!

2001 N. Buckner Living 2001 N. Buckner Office 2001 N. Buckner Kitchen 2001 N. Buckner Dining 2001 N. Buckner Roof

Candy Evans, founder and publisher of CandysDirt.com, is one of the nation’s leading real estate reporters.

21 Comments

  1. […] area of East Dallas is no stranger to alternative structures. The Underground House is less than a brisk bike ride away, and the eco-friendly development on Oates Road by Solutions 4 […]

  2. […] area of East Dallas is no stranger to alternative structures. The Underground House is less than a brisk bike ride away, and the eco-friendly development on Oates Road by Solutions 4 […]

  3. Wini Bell on November 20, 2021 at 8:58 am

    I’d love to tour the house home at 2001 Buckner.

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