Underground Living in Dubai: The Rise of Basement Renovations & Bunker Homes

Dubai is a city with high real estate prices and limited land availability. Given this scenario, basement renovations are a trend that's picking up because they offer a significant increase in the usable living space in a property.

Homeowners get the advantage of additional bedrooms, setting up home offices, entertainment areas, and other customizations without having to purchase a new home. All these advantages plus better return on investment too.

In this post, we share some renovation ideas for your basement.

Uses for underground spaces in Dubai  

Here are some ways in which you can make use of underground spaces:  

1. Home cinemas

Get yourself a premium turnkey home cinema with all the gizmos - a wall-sized projection screen, 4K/ 8K HDR  projectors for crisp images, soundproof room, Dolby Atmos immersive sound, comfortable sofas and recliners to lounge and have the best of your movie immersive experience on.

Basements are the ideal place to set up your entertainment area. It lends itself to customizations as per your needs, letting it become the center of a lot of activity with friends and family.

2. Gyms

Building a gym at home gives you the convenience of having a private space for a workout, not having to navigate through traffic and crowds at traditional gyms, and saving yourself a lot of money that the public gyms ask for as membership fees.

A basement gym with the right kind of temperature and humidity control is a good option for most given that it's kind of difficult to be motivated enough to reach a gym given Dubai’s extreme heat. A gym like the home theatre will require considerable investment in terms of equipment and potential renovations.

3. Panic rooms

Basements offer natural concealment. Typically, they don’t have access from the outside, mostly, no windows too, and therefore, serve as a good place to hide in case of a break-in or any other emergency. It will buy you crucial time because that’s not the first place someone will start looking.

Basement walls are usually thicker and act as a deterrent against physical intrusion. Reinforcing the basement with thicker walls and sturdier doors is a relatively simple thing to do. Also, they have access to power, ventilation, and water which is important in case of a prolonged emergency. However, it’s important to plan a clear escape from the panic room.

4. Underground pools

A climate-controlled indoor swimming pool offers comfort, privacy, and style. You can use it throughout the year for family time, fitness, or just relaxation.

Having a pool not only elevates your style but also adds value to your property. This can be your sanctuary from the severe conditions outside and the frequent dust storms. Water is a mood booster and the sight of a pool apart from a dip in it, is a refreshing experience.

Challenges and solutions for basement renovations

Here are some challenges you may have to face and what you can do:

1. Waterproofing

This can be quite a challenge given the region’s extreme climate. The high temperatures, humidity, and occasional heavy downpours, cause materials to expand and contract, leading to cracks and potential water infiltration.

Add to this, poor foundation and drainage issues that make the problem even more severe. Extreme humidity spurs faster mold growth and rapid deterioration of building materials. Dubai’s soil composition is varied and the moisture content can impact the effectiveness of waterproofing methods.

Using waterproofing materials with high resistance to temperature fluctuations, fixing existing cracks in the foundation, ensuring proper grading, and installing proper drainage systems before waterproofing application can render it more effective.

Combine outdoor and indoor waterproofing can further weatherproof your home. Regular maintenance and periodic inspection by experts in the field can go a long way in saving unnecessary expenses.

2. Ventilation

Dealing with humidity in the UAE is a major challenge. When it comes to the basement it’s even more difficult given that there may be no windows or doors for air circulation and light.

In such cases, HVAC ventilation can come in handy. These systems cut down moisture and improve indoor air quality. Using dehumidifiers in HVAC systems keeps air flowing well. Energy recovery ventilators ( ERVs) are a good option too. They replace the old air with new while saving energy, especially in hot or cold weather.

Paying attention to the ductwork design makes HVAC systems work better. Not to forget, regular maintenance, like cleaning filters and checking for leaks, is important.

3. Lighting  

A combination of lighting options can be used to create a bright and inviting basement space. One could use track lighting, pendant lighting, and wall sconces. Track lighting can be used to light up a landing area or focus light where it’s needed, such as in a dark hallway.

Pendant lighting adds texture and depth, hanging from the ceiling. It can provide focused task lighting or accent lighting, as per need/ preference. Basements that have low clearance can do well with the use of wall scones. They are especially suited to illuminate a home cinema.

The rise of luxury bunker homes

The affluent in Dubai buy bunkers as a haven for their families in case of an emergency. Some call these bunkers “doomsday bunkers”. These are brought to safeguard against pandemics, bioterror attacks, political instability, and civil unrest.

These fortified places also help save lives in case there is an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, or other such weather emergencies. These basements are fitted with every possible amenity there can be a need for.

In recent times, a lot of celebrities, sports stars, hedge fund managers, and tech moguls have invested in bunker homes.

While these spaces are designed for protection in extreme cases, they are fitted with every convenience one can think/ pay for. There is an uptick in building these ultra-secure, self-sustaining spaces of late, and is almost a status symbol amongst the rich in Dubai.

One cannot but agree that in times of acute distress, man-made or natural, the privileged face a lot of flak, sometimes even threats to their lives from those who hold their wealth/ genius against them.

Either way, it is one of the better options for them to save themselves from the ire of the masses which may result in some unfortunate circumstances.

Regulations and costs to keep in mind

Dubai’s building regulations for basements and cost considerations for underground projects include:  

1. Understand Zoning Laws

Dubai municipality has strict regulations to ensure orderly, sustainable, and aesthetic development/ renovations.

Everything is detailed as per the regulations for the limit to building height, setback requirements, and floor area ratios. Before starting basement renovations, get the necessary permits and approvals from the relevant authorities.

2. Waterproofing & Drainage

Budget for advanced waterproofing and drainage systems to prevent flooding and moisture issues. Site inspection and preparation to ascertain potential water entry points, proper grading to direct water away from the home/ villa, and drainage issues around the property, are a few things to bear in mind.

Waterproofing the foundation, interior and exterior wall waterproofing, and ensuring proper sealing of the doors and windows are additional steps to prevent the basements from getting flooded or moldy.

3. Construction Permits

Secure necessary approvals and permits to ensure compliance with local building codes. Dubai Municipality has set guidelines for all construction and renovations. The permits need to be in place before the project is started to avoid being inconvenienced later.

4. Soil Testing & Excavation

Factor in costs for soil analysis and excavation, which can vary based on land conditions. The region has diverse and often unstable soil conditions. Loose sands and high levels of salinity can have a significant impact on the stability of a construction project.

A preliminary test, therefore, ensures that the engineers design foundations and support systems that ensure the longevity of the buildings. This is also a mandate as per Dubai’s building codes.

5. Ventilation & Safety

Include ventilation, emergency exits, and fire safety measures to meet Dubai’s building standards. Basement ventilation is an essential component of a home’s overall health and safety. It protects against mold, mildew, and other airborne contaminants that can harm your home and health.

Ensuring that the basement has an easy exit door is a matter of great importance. In times of a prolonged emergency, or threat that requires evacuation, everyone should have clear access to it.

6. Higher Construction Costs

Underground projects often require reinforced structures and specialized engineering, increasing overall expenses.

The need for extensive waterproofing measures to combat humidity, the complex excavation process in the desert sand, the cost of trained labor, and the cost of additional structural support make basement renovation a very expensive affair.

Conclusion

Since there is a lot of planning that goes into renovating the basement, it’s best to take advice from the experts in this field. Reno has a panel with specialized expertise and they are just a phone call away.

Book an appointment with us today.