This house was designed by Don Metz as part of the Earthtech series developed in the late 1970s. The Earthtech designs emerged from research into earth-sheltered construction during a period of heightened interest in energy efficiency, durability, and cold-climate performance.

The design emphasizes a direct relationship between structure, landscape, and thermal mass. Reinforced concrete walls, a heavy timber roof system, and full earth cover were used to moderate temperature change and reduce energy demand, while south-facing glazing provided daylight and outward views uncommon in many earth-sheltered houses.

The house was constructed in 1981 in Annandale, Minnesota, adapted for its specific site and climate conditions. A closely related version of this design—documented as Earthtech 6—was built in Lyme, New Hampshire and featured in Earth Sheltered Homes: Plans and Designs (Underground Space Center, University of Minnesota), which can be viewed online. View the book online

That New Hampshire house is the only other known documented example of this design.

The Annandale house remained with its original owners until 2023, when it was purchased by Spencer Albers and Paul Rotella. Under current ownership, internal systems have been modernized and cabinetry styling updated, while the original structure, envelope, and spatial layout have been preserved.