Malcolm Wells (March 11, 1926 – November 27, 2009) was an American architect who is regarded as "the father of modern earth-sheltered architecture." Wells lived on
Cape Cod
Cape Cod is a peninsula extending into the Atlantic Ocean from the southeastern corner of mainland Massachusetts, in the northeastern United States. Its historic, maritime character and ample beaches attract heavy tourism during the summer mont ...
,
in a modern
earth-sheltered building of his own design. Wells was also a writer, illustrator,
draftsman
A drafter (also draughtsman / draughtswoman in British and Commonwealth English, draftsman / draftswoman or drafting technician in American and Canadian English) is an engineering technician who makes detailed technical drawings or plans for ...
, lecturer,
cartoonist
A cartoonist is a visual artist who specializes in both drawing and writing cartoons (individual images) or comics (sequential images). Cartoonists differ from comics writers or comic book illustrators in that they produce both the literary and ...
, columnist, and
solar energy
Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun that is harnessed using a range of technologies such as solar power to generate electricity, solar thermal energy (including solar water heating), and solar architecture. It is an essenti ...
consultant.
Wells retired from architecture in June 2004, but continued his advocacy for
underground living
Underground living refers to living below the ground's surface, whether in natural or manmade caves or structures. Underground dwellings are an alternative to above-ground dwellings for some home seekers, including those who are looking to mini ...
to the end of his life.
Wells' work in architecture and design began in 1953. After 10 years "spent spreading corporate
asphalt
Asphalt, also known as bitumen (, ), is a sticky, black, highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. It may be found in natural deposits or may be a refined product, and is classed as a pitch. Before the 20th century, the term a ...
on America in the name of architecture," he began to feel that the Earth's surface was "made for living plants, not industrial plants;" and went into underground architecture. This was reflected in his semi-underground offices at the corner of East Cuthbert Blvd and North Park Drive and at 6 Dale Avenue in
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Cherry Hill is a township within Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the township had a population of 74,553, which reflected an increase of 3,508 (+4.94%) from the 71,045 counted in the 2010 census. , adjacent to the
Cooper River.
His interests were in energy efficiency,
aesthetics
Aesthetics, or esthetics, is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of beauty and taste, as well as the philosophy of art (its own area of philosophy that comes out of aesthetics). It examines aesthetic values, often expressed thr ...
, land preservation and restoration "A Regeneration-based Checklist for Design and Construction", and durability of materials.
Wells' books have sold over 120,000 copies.
Wells died Friday, November 27, 2009. He left behind his wife Karen North Wells and son John Wells.
Bibliography
*How to buy solar heating ... without getting burnt! (1978)
*The Children's Solar Energy Book (1982)
*Underground Designs (1981)
*Classic Architectural Birdhouses and Feeders (1988)
*Architects Sketchbook of Underground Buildings: Drawings and Photographs (1990)
*How to Build an Underground House (1991)
*Infra Structures (1994)
*Passive Solar Energy: The Homeowner's Guide to Natural Heating and Cooling (with Bruce Anderson) (1996)
*Sandtiquity (with Kappy Wells, Connie Simo) (1999)
*Designing Your Natural House (with Charles G. Woods) (1999)
*Recovering America: A More Gentle Way to Build (2001)
*A Tiny Underground House
*Bipad (1995)
*Underground Plans Book (1980)
*Liquid Gold: The Lore and Logic of Using Urine to Grow Plants (2007)
Notes
External links
www.malcolmwells.comBritish Earth Sheltering Association
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wells, Malcolm
1926 births
20th-century American architects
2009 deaths