[PIC] What the heck is this thing?

[coredumped]

Anyone know what this is in Arlington near JU? It's usually empty, all the cars are there because I took these photos during JU's graduation.

Google Satellite:
http://g.co/maps/undrr

Link to these photos (they don't look like they're scaling):
http://imgur.com/a/lDvtj

[downtownjag]

Water processing?

[Starbuck]

It is an earth sheltered commercial office building.It uses a rather common architectural form that was popular up north during the 80's. It is protected from the wind and absorbs heat from the soil and therefore is energy efficient. I have no direct information, but I am given to understand that this one was constructed as a dental office. Each corner "turret" is an exam room and it has a large central office and waiting space. It was used by Pace Home for Girls more recently.

[coredumped]

It is an earth sheltered commercial office building.It uses a rather common architectural form that was popular up north during the 80's. It is protected from the wind and absorbs heat from the soil and therefore is energy efficient. I have no direct information, but I am given to understand that this one was constructed as a dental office. Each corner "turret" is an exam room and it has a large central office and waiting space. It was used by Pace Home for Girls more recently.

That's pretty nifty - does anyone have any pictures of the inside? I'd like to know what it looks like on the interior. Do you know if it's currently vacant?

[Ocklawaha]

Here you go, several of these are in Oklahoma, where the earth sheltered home also offers immunity from tornadoes. My wife and I had friends in Kingfisher, OK, who built a beautiful home on a hillside. It had two floors, and every room faced the 'glass hall way' with overlooked the front yard. They even put in their own elevator, designed and built by them in house; it was similar to the old cage type with folding doors and Lots of brass. I've thought about doing this on some land in the Ozarks, Wichita's or Wichita Mountains. (Yeah, for you unwashed masses, Oklahoma is stunningly beautiful, but Shhhh, it's the best kept secret in the country and we wouldn't want it overrun with 'tourists.').


TURNER FALLS


ILLINOIS RIVER, OKLAHOMA


BLACK MESA, HIGHEST POINT IN OKLAHOMA


TWO GOOD REASONS TO BUILD AN EARTH SHELTERED HOME IN OKLAHOMA!


ANOTHER GOOD REASON TO BUILD AN EARTH SHELTERED HOME IN OKLAHOMA!










MORE INFORMATION:

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=EARTH+SHELTERED+HOME+OKLAHOMA&start=283&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1280&bih=738&tbm=isch&tbnid=a_iTvJFbQpkqhM:&imgrefurl=http://earthshelternews.com/Lawton-OK.htm&docid=2_cCkTsrdT2WcM&imgurl=http://earthshelternews.com/im

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green-Homes/2006-10-01/Earth-sheltered-Homes.aspx

http://www.earthsheltered.org/oklahoma-terra-dome

OCKLAWAHA

[L.P. Hovercraft]

Wow, now THAT'S where I'd like to retire to when I turn eleventy-one--tending the garden, smoking pipeweed, and enjoying breakfast and second breakfast!

[Dog Walker]

Ock, that tornado picture shows FIVE good reasons to build an earth sheltered house in Oklahoma!  Those are some awesome lightning strikes. 

That picture is going to give me nightmares.