Remodeling : Kansas Missile Site : Home & Garden Television

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

When Ed and Dianna Peden first saw the former Atlas E missile site in 1980, it was flooded in 8-1/2 feet of water and had been abandoned since the 1960s. Peden couldn't keep his mind off the facility. The 40 acres of land, the history of the site and the large interior space all appealed to him. In 1994, the Peden's bought the land and the 15,000-square-foot site and moved right in. Originally built to withstand a nuclear attack makes this facility a perfect home for a home located in tornado-prone Kansas.

The underground complex includes two buildings connected by a 100-foot steel-lined corrugated tunnel, used by military personnel to gain entrance to the missile bay area (figure A). The first building was the original launch services building where the rockets were housed (figure B). The second building, the former command and control building, is where the Peden's established their home (figure C). The Peden's have maintained most of the missile site's original design features.

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

The Peden's designed a beautiful entryway into their underground home (figure D). Inside the entryway, a spiral staircase winds its way down two stories below ground level to an open den area (figure E). The exposed wooden beams add warmth and texture to the den living space. Adjacent to the den is the spacious kitchen facility designed to entertain large get-togethers (figure F).

Figure G

Figure H

Figure I

Below the den and kitchen is a 40-square-foot living room with 15-foot ceilings. This former launch control room is now a comfortable and peaceful living room. To lighten up the area, the Peden's installed beautiful 19th century stained-glass windows trimmed with northern pine and illuminated from behind with electrical lights to add color and ambiance (figure G). The master bedroom is decorated in beige tones and carved wood, making the heart of this underground home a cozy retreat (figure H). The military style restroom facility was designed for multiple military personnel, so the Peden's decided to work with the existing amenities and kept the double toilet and sink facilities (figure I).

Figure J

Figure K

Figure L

The foyer houses the control panels that were formerly in the living room (figure J). The Atlas E missile was housed in the garage / basement; a garage large enough to store hundreds of cars (figure K). The 70-foot long missile was stored horizontally in the missile bay room and the large overhead door opened when the rocket was poised for launch (figure L). This abandoned and sturdy structure was receptive to the Peden's creative impulses, turning what was once a historical military installation into a modern and spacious dwelling.

Resources
book on building homes underground
The Natural House Catalog by David Pearson
Fireside, 1996
Order this title from Amazon.com.

book on building homes underground
The Earth Sheltered House by Malcolm Wells
Chelsea Green Publishing, 1998
Order this title from Amazon.com.

book on building homes underground
Complete Book of Underground Houses: How to Build a Low-cost Home by Robert Roy
Sterling Publications, 1994
Order this title from Amazon.com.

book on building homes underground
Underground Homes by Louis Wampler
Firebird Press, 1980
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Guests
Dianna and Ed Peden
20th Century Castles
Website: www.missilebases.com
Also in this Episode

Special Presentation : Episode SUB-S
•	Illinois Cave Home
•	Texas Dome Home
•	Kansas Missile Site
•	Ohio Pyramid House
•	California Sphere House
•	Idaho Mountain Hideaway
•	Stover House in Illinois

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