In other cases, land is scarce because of heritage restraints. In Mexico City, for instance, there are strict building restrictions in its historic centre. That’s why architecture firm BNKR Arquitectura has designed a massive, 300m-deep inverted pyramid dubbed the Earthscraper.
The proposed building would house 5,000 people, with terraced floors receiving natural light from a huge glass ceiling above – although the lower floors will need extra lighting with fibre optics.
BNKR founding partner and CEO Esteban Suarez hopes the Earthscraper will inspire a new “species” of building.