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Why aren't we building down? Each plot owns the land beneath, yes? So build downwards if zoning prohibits building up.
by internaut 10y ago
Why aren't we building down?
Each plot owns the land beneath, yes?
So build downwards if zoning prohibits building up.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- Tempest1981 10y agoThe cost per sq ft is higher. You often hit aquifers. Less light. More difficult egress in an emergency. (Just giving some reasons why building down isn't done more, but it is happening.)
- internaut 10y agoYes it is happening I know, I remember a 99% Invisible podcast episode talking about it. Also there was a documentary on London millionaires doing it. I find it striking it is not done even more. I recognize the technical difficulties but the costs are surely lower than the potential value of easily doubling the sq ft. There are interesting tricks you can do with fibre optic cable and mirrors to send daylight down there. Not to mention CoeLux and similar products.
- stale2002 10y agoYou don't gain that much by building downward, one or two floors at most, and you also run into other laws. For example, an apartment is required to have a window or fresh air source.
- internaut 10y agoThere are technical difficulties but you're doubling the sq ft! That is huge. Have you seen London's iceberg buildings? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLJ0zZQb9x0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLJ0zZQb9x0 I admit I just want this because the idea of hidden labyrinths behind our cities is just intrinsically appealing to me. There could be shops! Neon signs! It would be cyberpunk and then I would know the future has arrived :-) The monetary payoff does seem to be there. I wonder if the delay in transformations of this sort might have a lot to do with a lack of 3D expertise among builders.
- cuckcuckspruce 10y agoGood luck doing that in Florida where places are already below sea level. Ever dug a hole that filled itself with salt water?