Al Hamra Tower, Kuwait

Earthscraper in Mexico City

The main plaza of Mexico City, known as the “Zocalo” is 57,600 square meters (240m x240m), making it one of the largest in the world. It is bordered by the Cathedral, the National Palace and the Federal District Buildings. This is the location of the proposed Eathscraper, an inverted skyscraper that digs down through the different layers of Mexico City.

The Earthscraper preserves the iconic presence of the Zocalo and the existing hierarchy of the buildings that surround it. It is an inverted pyramid with a central void that allows all habitable spaces to enjoy natural light and ventilation. The first ten stories are dedicated to a pre-Columbian museum. The next ten stories are retail areas and housing while the deeper 35 stories are offices.

LiTraCon™

Litracon was invented in 2001 by Hungarian architect Áron LOSONCZI.

LiTraCon™ is a combiantion of optical fibres and fine concrete and can be produced as prefabricated building blocks and panels. Because of their small size the fibres blend into concrete becoming a component of the material like small pieces of aggregate. In this manner, the result is not only having two materials - glass in concrete - mixed, but a third, new material which is homogeneous in its inner structure and on its main surfaces as well.

Plinthos by Mabarchitects

Clay brick has been one of the most commonly used building materials, which exists for thousands of years. It has always been a symbol for solidity and reliability, for human scale, and in many cases it has also been admired for its sensual qualities. With plinthos pavilion we want to explore these same characteristics and add another quality – transparency, something that is normally not associated with clay brick. 21816 bricks are used to build a continuous floor and walls. Usually hidden perforated sides of the bricks are exposed thus creating permeable surface, which allow the flow of air, light and sound.