65-storey 'Earthscraper' concept digs deep into Mexico City

***wjfox*** · October 25th, 2011, 12:55 PM

65-storey 'Earthscraper' concept digs deep into Mexico City

An astonishing new building concept will tunnel 65 storeys below the centre of Mexico City.

Mexico City laws prevent buildings being built that are more than eight storeys high in order to preserve the historic skyline. The building concept -- dubbed the 'Earthscraper' by Mexican architecture firm BNKR Arquitectura -- aims to get around such pesky rules by tunneling straight down in an upside-down pyramid shape.

As there will be no construction rising above ground level, the iconic city square and surrounding buildings will remain untouched.

The modern day Mexico City is built upon the older ruins dating back to the original Aztec inhabitants. Rather than demolish or spread out, each new generation has built on top of existing structures, effectively creating an architectural Victoria sponge cake. The proposed structure will dig "down through the layers of cities to uncover our roots", ArchDaily explains.

The 65 floors will be taken up by living space, offices and even a huge museum, built around the edges of the pyramid. In the middle will be a central void allowing natural light to enter the building while also allowing "the life of the Earthscraper to blend with everything happening on top."

The top of the structure will be covered by a glass roof, allowing people to walk across the enormous hole -- if they're particularly brave. The roof presumably also stops the building filling up with water and ruining all that shiny office space.

The building is still very much a concept so don't start looking at loans for new offices just yet. Would you want to live in a big hole in the ground? Would you be brave enough to walk across the top? Let us know in the comments section below or over on our Facebook page.

More pics here -- http://crave.cnet.co.uk/gadgets/65-s...city-50005617/

Brummyboy92 · October 25th, 2011, 01:05 PM

ERRRRRR, I would not like to live in a big hole in the ground, interesting concept though, however I really can't see many people wanting to live here.

SkyscraperSuperman · October 25th, 2011, 07:07 PM

My........GOD!!!

Well, that's certainly a unique concept and there's no denying it would be a magnificent feat of engineering if built. Not sure that the deeper floors will get a decent share of natural sunlight what with the narrowing of the central shaft, especially once it starts going past 200m, but it's still a fairly amazing creation and one that could definitely be explored further!

Welshlad · October 25th, 2011, 09:45 PM

Hahaha, if a structural or geotechnical engineer has put pen to paper on any of that I'll eat my hat

Accura4Matalan · October 25th, 2011, 11:02 PM

Looks like the Umbrella Corporation is setting up shop again!

Rational Plan · November 22nd, 2011, 01:16 AM

Apart from the Sunlight issue, at least with a Skyscraper you are going down the emergency stairs imagine the problems of evacuating upwards.

LNGCats · November 22nd, 2011, 07:39 PM

Mexico city - earth quake zone.

odlum833 · November 23rd, 2011, 06:55 AM

Imagine living at the bottom of that. If there is a flood or earthquake you would not feel comfortable i'd say.

bebesdolan · November 23rd, 2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odlum833

Imagine living at the bottom of that. If there is a flood or earthquake you would not feel comfortable i'd say.

sorry but this is the UK forum, what are you doing here?

LNGCats · November 23rd, 2011, 09:44 PM

Urm, it is the UK & Ireland forum.

Aaronj09 · November 24th, 2011, 01:28 AM

That's really awful.

October 25th, 2011, 12:55 PM	#1
*wjfox* Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: L O N D O N Posts: 35,736 Likes (Received): 1198	65-storey 'Earthscraper' concept digs deep into Mexico City 65-storey 'Earthscraper' concept digs deep into Mexico City An astonishing new building concept will tunnel 65 storeys below the centre of Mexico City. Mexico City laws prevent buildings being built that are more than eight storeys high in order to preserve the historic skyline. The building concept -- dubbed the 'Earthscraper' by Mexican architecture firm BNKR Arquitectura -- aims to get around such pesky rules by tunneling straight down in an upside-down pyramid shape. As there will be no construction rising above ground level, the iconic city square and surrounding buildings will remain untouched. The modern day Mexico City is built upon the older ruins dating back to the original Aztec inhabitants. Rather than demolish or spread out, each new generation has built on top of existing structures, effectively creating an architectural Victoria sponge cake. The proposed structure will dig "down through the layers of cities to uncover our roots", ArchDaily explains. The 65 floors will be taken up by living space, offices and even a huge museum, built around the edges of the pyramid. In the middle will be a central void allowing natural light to enter the building while also allowing "the life of the Earthscraper to blend with everything happening on top." The top of the structure will be covered by a glass roof, allowing people to walk across the enormous hole -- if they're particularly brave. The roof presumably also stops the building filling up with water and ruining all that shiny office space. The building is still very much a concept so don't start looking at loans for new offices just yet. Would you want to live in a big hole in the ground? Would you be brave enough to walk across the top? Let us know in the comments section below or over on our Facebook page. More pics here -- http://crave.cnet.co.uk/gadgets/65-s...city-50005617/ __________________ FutureTimeline.net - a timeline of future history

October 25th, 2011, 07:07 PM	#3
SkyscraperSuperman Hi. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Portsmouth, UK [] Beijing, China [X] Posts: 2,374 Likes (Received): 95	My........GOD!!! Well, that's certainly a unique concept and there's no denying it would be a magnificent feat of engineering if built. Not sure that the deeper floors will get a decent share of natural sunlight what with the narrowing of the central shaft, especially once it starts going past 200m, but it's still a fairly amazing creation and one that could definitely be explored further! __________________ ~~~ Studying Civil Engineering at the University of Portsmouth.. ~~~ My fundraising page for my 6-day trek to Machu Picchu in August 2013, raising money for the Epilepsy Society: http://www.justgiving.com/richard-francis-peru Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThisIsRichaaard My last.fm profile: http://www.last.fm/user/Spartan-King Flickr page 1 (ghost-of-sparta): http://www.flickr.com/people/ghost-of-sparta Flickr page 2 (Skyscraper Superman): http://www.flickr.com/people/82617920@N07

October 25th, 2011, 11:02 PM	#5
Accura4Matalan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Preston, England/Colwyn Bay, North Wales Posts: 11,850 Likes (Received): 57	Looks like the Umbrella Corporation is setting up shop again! __________________ Preston Projects List Updated 11th September 2010

November 23rd, 2011, 06:55 AM	#8
odlum833 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dublin Posts: 6,626 Likes (Received): 114	Imagine living at the bottom of that. If there is a flood or earthquake you would not feel comfortable i'd say. __________________ Ireland forum is here http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1596

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

October 25th, 2011, 01:05 PM	#2
Brummyboy92 Brummy and proud Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Birmingham Posts: 4,015 Likes (Received): 13	ERRRRRR, I would not like to live in a big hole in the ground, interesting concept though, however I really can't see many people wanting to live here.

October 25th, 2011, 09:45 PM	#4
Welshlad Socialogically Diseased Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cardiff Posts: 390 Likes (Received): 5	Hahaha, if a structural or geotechnical engineer has put pen to paper on any of that I'll eat my hat

November 22nd, 2011, 01:16 AM	#6
Rational Plan Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Slough Posts: 2,838 Likes (Received): 65	Apart from the Sunlight issue, at least with a Skyscraper you are going down the emergency stairs imagine the problems of evacuating upwards.

November 22nd, 2011, 07:39 PM	#7
LNGCats Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 11,490 Likes (Received): 149	Mexico city - earth quake zone.

November 23rd, 2011, 09:44 PM	#10
LNGCats Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 11,490 Likes (Received): 149	Urm, it is the UK & Ireland forum.

November 24th, 2011, 01:28 AM	#11
Aaronj09 Not a Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Leeds Posts: 7,862 Likes (Received): 282	That's really awful.