Everyone knows what a skyscraper is. Just mentioning the name brings up images of massive towers like the Empire State Building or modern marvels such as the Shard or Burj Khalifa. However, fewer people know what a groundscraper is. We want to look at that today, exploring why it could be a viable alternative to building upwards. Then, if you want advice from architects in London, you can reach out to us.

What is it?

A groundscaper is the polar opposite of a skyscraper. Instead of building a tower into the sky, you create a sprawling building along the ground. They can be several storeys tall, but tend to be low rise in comparison. However, they can have a massive footprint, covering thousands of feet in length.

If you want some examples of groundscrapers, you should begin with Google’s London HQ at King’s Cross. It is 11 storeys tall, but 330 metres long. It is just 20 metres wide in places. The massive property has a fantastic design.

Another great example is Apple Park in Cupertino, California. Apple’s HQ has a main building that is a giant ring. The circumference is a huge 1,465 metres. The diameter is 461 metres. It is an iconic design.

Interestingly, the idea is not as modern as you would first think. It actually dates back to the post-war period in the US. At the time there was an exodus of workers from urban areas. Instead, businesses chose sprawling office parks in suburban spots.

Advantages

There are many people that love the groundscraper idea and celebrate the benefits the buildings can offer. Notable is that fact that building a sprawling low rise structure can preserve the skyline and make areas feel like claustrophobic.

A major benefit is it can be much easier and cheaper to build and operate groundscrapers. It can be a challenge to heat and cool skyscrapers, resulting in complex HVAC and climate control systems. They can consume a lot of energy, even with efficient designs. It isn’t as challenging or costly with a groundscaper, even if they are massive.

Thirdly, groundscrapers can actually work to bring people together. Their size means they can cover various areas. Designers can create inclusive spaces where people can interact and socialise. It is harder to do this with skyscapers as it can feel like there is a massive barrier between each storey.

The fact the buildings can cover large areas also has another crucial advantage; it can mean even distribution of growth. This can be better than the centralisation you get with a skyscraper that has a small footprint. So, a single development could help improve various neighbourhoods. It could lead to better quality of life.

Do you want advice from architects in London?

Coffey Architects is the team to bring your ideas into reality. We have experience with various buildings, from large low rise HQs to high rise structures. We’ll deliver the perfect design for each site, working to the brief but also looking at ways to improve and add to it.

So, if you want some advice about homes, groundscrapers, skyscrapers, or any other design, choose the best architects in London. We’re just one call or email away.