Houzz TV: A Nuclear Silo Transformed Into an Unconventional Home

An architect decides to go underground to build himself a rather unusual – to say the least – home in New York State

Mitchell Parker9 May, 2015

Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.

Architect Alexander Michael launched a 15-year mission to turn a decommissioned nuclear silo into a liveable home. Watch the video (click arrow above) of Michael descending underground to give a personal tour of the space, which includes a full kitchen, sleeping quarters and even the original launch control console.

Watch the video: Head underground to see this former missile silo

Alexander Michael & Assoc

Michael turned the lower level of the control room into sleeping quarters. He designed the big platform beds with industrial wheels and grab rails. ‘It’s just like a kid’s fantasy in there,’ he says.

Check out 10 incredible UK homes that mix old with new

Here Michael sits in the living room. The original curved concrete walls created resonant sound and radiated cold air. To fix this he draped the walls completely in quilted grey fabric. ‘It stops the convection of air hitting the walls and cooling down,’ he says. ‘It helps kill the sound as well.’

Michael stands in the utility tunnel, which is the only pedestrian access into the silo where the original missile was kept. This is where all the cables and lines run.

See a home created from a derelict swimming pool

TELL US…
What do you make of this incredible underground home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.