Great cities have great skylines--yet those same skyscrapers have the unfortunate effect of ruining historic districts and overshadowing beautiful buildings from the past. An architecture firm based in Mexico City, has come up with an ingenious solution: The Earthscraper. It’s a skyscraper in reverse, which tunnels deep into the earth like an inverted pyramid. The Earthscraper would be built right underneath the Mexico city’s largest square ie. the Zocalo Square. Guys, we are talking about the underground skyscraper, 65 stories deep, with each floor getting progressively smaller. The presentation deals with the theory of such future realistic project in technical details along with its side effects on the environment.

1. EARTHSCRAPER
An underground way of living

2. INTRODUCTION
Lack of space on the surface of
earth due to population boom
Why don’t go underground?
Energy can be saved more
efficiently
Eco friendly, healthier environment
Quality living
Innovative way to Urbanisation of
society

3. THE EARTHSCRAPER PROJECT
Designer: BNKR Arquitectura
Awarded in: 2009 “Skyscrapers of the
Future” competition in the
architecture magazine eVolo.
Location: Zocalo Square, Mexico City
Cause: Mexico City govt. have strict
rules against building more than 8
storey building on surface. But there
are no rules for building
underground
Aim: To build a sustainable structure
for solving issues like population
growth, curbing sprawl, preserving
open space, and conserving energy
and water.
Zocalo Square now
Zocalo Square after constructing
Earthscrapper
THE IDEA BEHIND

4. THE EARTHSCRAPER PROJECT
HOW DID THE IDEA EVOLVE:
1 2 3
4
5 6

5. THE EARTHSCRAPER PROJECT
SOME EXCLUSIVE FEATURES:
The Transparent
Glass Roof
Natural
Lighting
Floor
Usage

6. THE EARTHSCRAPER PROJECT
THE ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING MARVELS
 Type: An inverted square
pyramid building having a
hollow core
 Roof: Glass covered roof
 Building: Made by steel
sections and hardened glass
panels
 Fibre optics will be used to
ensure maximum natural
lighting
 There will be garden on every
10 storey
 Lit in night it would enhance
the view

7. THE EARTHSCRAPER PROJECT
DETAILS OF CONSTRUCTION
 Estimated Cost: 800 million (only 30%
more than normal skyscraper)
 Area covered: 57,600 square metre
 Height: 300 metre
 Roof area: 82,000 square feet
 Construction type: Underground
 Shape of Structure: Inverted pyramid
 No of stories: 65 including 10 stories
each for Museum, Shopping Complex
& Residential apartments and rest 35
tapered Stories for Office building
 Green Building: Energy efficient, Self
energy harnessing building
 Earthquake resistant structure: by
using steel truss and Pyramidal shape

8. THE EARTHSCRAPER PROJECT
PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE:
 The water source contamination
 Wastewater and garbage management
 Green House effect due to glass
 Security for people in case of Catastrophe
 No fire resistant structure & management in case of accidental fire
 Excavating the ground through different layers of Mexican history
SOLUTIONS:
 To construct the building without contaminating the water table
with the help of formworks.
 Wastewater should be dumped up above or incinerated.
 Suitable cooling system using self harnessed energy (Geothermal).
 Introducing high speed lift to carry maximum people
 High priority quick response team in case of fire
 Careful excavation through the soil strata and collect artefacts.

9. THE EARTHSCRAPER PROJECT
REALITY CHECK:
REALISTIC:
A brief solution to the population boom
without going on Mars, Moon etc.
Introduce a healthier overall environment
with healthy micro environments
UNREALISTIC:
More realistic in northern colder region
No technology for sudden earthquake or if
the earth creeps back

10. CONCLUSION
It’s a near future just on matter
of time.
On being solved all the problems
it can surely be done.
A dream living for people.
Government and Private sectors
should work together for
fulfilment of these projects.