"Earthscraper" Beats Height Limits By Going Down Instead of Up

In the dense center of Mexico City, an architect has proposed a 65-story building - straight down.

1 minute read

October 16, 2011, 1:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur


Mexico City limits building height to 8 stories, so architecture firm BNKR Arquitectura has proposed an inverted pyramid-shaped building to be build underground. An enormous glass ceiling would be at ground level, bringing light down through a central atrium to the floors below. The glass ceiling would also serve as a glass floor for the plaza above, allowing for public events to take place at ground level.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011 in The Mail Online

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

People walking in crowded square in Kyiv, Ukraine with ferris wheel and old buildings.

In Praise of Analog Cities: Futureproofing in a Time of Crisis

I didn’t need a pandemic or a war to teach me that smart cities weren’t the future — but it sure drove the message home.

July 21, 2025 - Mikael Colville-Andersen

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17, 2025 - San José Spotlight

Downtown Los Angeles viewed from Echo Park with lake with artesian fountain in foreground.

A Vision for the Future: LA County Releases Draft Sustainability Plan

Los Angeles County has released the draft 2025 OurCounty Sustainability Plan — shaped by community input — and is inviting public feedback through August 22 to help guide the County’s path toward a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future.

July 29 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Aerial view of San Fernando, California.

Honoring Elders: California Tribe Breaks Ground on Affordable Housing

The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians is launching its first senior housing project in Los Angeles County, creating 26 affordable units to serve Native elders and address longstanding housing inequities.

July 29 - Tribal Business News

View of dense San Diego neighborhood with multi-family buildings.

Which San Diego County Cities Are Building New Housing?

Chula Vista permitted the most new housing units per capita, while El Cajon is adding the least.

July 29 - Voice of San Diego