Architects have designed an incredible 65-storey 'earth-scraper' which plunges 300 meters below ground. The stunning upside down pyramid in the middle of Mexico City is designed to get around height limits on new buildings in the capital.

plunge: 使陷入；使投入；使插入

pyramid: 金字塔；角锥体

get around:  规避; 说服; 争取; 花时间和精力去做;传播

The subterranean building will have 10 storeys each for homes, shops and a museum, as well as 35 storeys for offices. The design has been crowned with a Mexican flag.

subterranean: 地下的；秘密的；隐蔽的

Esteban Suarez, from architecture firm BNKR Arquitectura, said the building would also house a new cultural centre.

He said: 'New infrastructure, office, retail and living space are required in the city but no empty plots are available.

'Federal and local laws prohibit demolishing historic buildings and even if this was so, height regulations limit new structures to eight storeys.

prohibit: 阻止，禁止

'The city's historic centre is in desperate need of a makeover but we have nowhere to put it, this means the only way to go is down.'He added: 'The Earthscraper preserves the iconic presence of the city square and the existing hierarchy of the buildings that surround it.

hierarchy: 层级；等级制度

'It is an inverted pyramid with a central void to allow all habitable spaces to enjoy natural lighting and ventilation.

void: 空间；空虚；空隙

ventilation: 空气流通；通风设备

'It will also allow the numerous activities that take place on the city square year round such as concerts, open-air exhibitions and military parades to go ahead.'
Pyramids play a large part in the architectural history of Mexico, as the country's ancient civilizations have often build huge pyramid structures.
Esteban added: 'The Earthscraper digs down through the layers of cities to uncover our roots.'
 

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