An entry in next year’s eVolo Skyscraper Competition, the inverted skyscraper is a completely self-sufficient underground city capable of producing its own food and energy and creating a climate-controlled environment in the middle of the desert. From above, the skyscraper and open pit are completely covered by a dome faceted with skylights. Over time, the dome covering the hole in the ground will blend in with the surrounding environment.
Below ground is a 900 foot-deep skyscraper that contains areas for living, working, farming, and even recreation. A light rail system connects the self-sufficient community to the nearby town of Brisbee, and solar and wind energy will be generated. Daylighting will stream in though the skylights to light up the lower parts of the tower, and the entire structure acts as a solar chimney that ushers hot air out through the top of the dome. As the entire complex is located underground, it will not be subjected to the intense heat that above-grade buildings face in the desert. Growing terraces near the top soak up the light from the skylights to grow produce for the entire complex.
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As we deplete our natural resources, we are left with huge gaping holes in the ground – scars from our open-pit mining exploits. Matthew Fromboluti of Washington University in St. Louis has a plan to heal those scars with an underground skyscraper that fills
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After all of the resources are taken from the ground in the area, the result a gigantic hole in the ground and a scar on the landscape.
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Matthew Fromboluti of Washington University in St. Louis proposes to fill those massive holes with underground skyscrapers that are covered with a earthen dome with skylights to let sun in and help control the climate.
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The cone-shaped skyscraper is inverted in the hole and held in place with structural supports stuck into the sides of the mine as well as at the very bottom.
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The top of the skyscraper is covered with a dome full of skylights to help control the climate and let daylight in. The self-sufficient community is connected to the nearby town via a light rail system.
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The skyscraper contains various areas for living, working, recreation, and growing platforms. The entire structure is suspended via walkways and cables.
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Commercial areas are located near the top and living quarters are lower down below. Large intake tubes located near the bottom suck in cool air and exhaust it out the top.
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Growing terraces are located vertically along the skyscraper and take advantage of sunlight filtering in from the skylights.
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Natural ventilation is employed to suck air in from outside then down through intakes at the bottom. Hot air is forced out of the top through the solar chimney.
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Wind turbines and solar catchers take renewable resources and produce renewable energy.
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