Jacob Shepley
looks awesome, but also sounds depressing to live underground
Von Meerman
Sounds awesome. The natural light is an excellent idea (Although I wonder how many panty-shots will result from a glass roof being the centre of public space) and if the bottom of the pyramid could have a small garden - and each higher levels perhaps a small balcony garden, so as to not restrict the light from above for the lower levels - then there\'ll always be fresh air and reduced claustrophobia. I\'d be interested in how people get down - 4 elevators at all 4 corners? The space between the pyramid and access tunnels could be utilised too. I don\'t know, hydroponic gardens maybe. :D
Mark Temple
given the geology of the area though, this seems like a bad idea. mexico city is located on the soft bottom of a filled in lake. one that is tectonicaly unstable to boot.
the city has enough issues with sinking foundations for stuff above the ground, i wouldn\'t want to think about the problems a massive underground facility would have.
Mushi
I\'m wondering what is supposed to happen during a fire. In a typical highrise, you have fire-stairs which are descended, while in this design one would have to race up how many flights? It\'s not like the elevators would be operational. Maybe they have a non-mechanical safety solution....
windykites
Is not Mexico City in an earthquake zone? Supposing the whole thing floods? Lastly, where is all the excavation soil going to be put? There is enough fuss made about garbage mountains. This looks like another fanciful idea which will never come to fruition.
yrag
Agreed on all questions windykites1.
Slowburn
@windykites1
Earthquake survival, and flooding are engineering problems that have been repeatedly solved. There is always a market for clean fill. The excavated material will be sold.
jad
Re: slowburn\'s comment: tell that to the Katrina, Haiti, and New Zealand survicors, not to mention all the flooding that\'s been taking place in the U.S. and elsewhere. The Earthscraper in Mexico City is a bad, bad idea, as mentioned by Mark Temple. Besides, the area taken is the same as a high-rise would be.
Slowburn
@jad
Haiti didn\'t have any enforced building codes.
People in New Orleans after refusing orders to evacuate attempted to escape rising water by climbing into attics that did not have roof access.
In Christchurch there were apparently undamaged building standing next to piles of rubble after the earthquake.
The fact that people have died does not invalidate my assertions.
Domestic Engineer
Sounds interesting and the finished work may look great, but there are some inconvenients to be taken into account:
Cases like México City would require a very stiff substructure in order to support loads due to earthquakes of at least Grade 8 in the Richter scale. Also, the whole underground structure needs to be designed as a floating foundation, due to the extremely softness of the soil.
In the other hand, isolation from the exterior might represent an issue. The architecture and accesories such as illumination and Air Conditioning, must be of a very high quality so that living in the underground will not affect the inhabitants mood. Don´t you think?