Considering the category includes bunkers, crypts and scary government installations, it's not surprising subterranean buildings often have a slightly unsavory reputation. If it's something you want seen, logic dictates you don't place it at the bottom of a hole. That explains why the recently demoed Lowline concept, a proposed underground park inside an abandoned Manhattan trolley stop, has generated so much attention. The plan to redirect sunlight and create a lush green space under Manhattan literally flips our conceptions of utilizing underground space. But it's far from the only example of imaginative designs for subterranean structures. Whether its utilizing the natural contours of a hillside, finding unexpected room for an expansion or taking advantage of the energy-saving benefits of nestling under layers of soil, numerous architects have created or renovated spaces to create beauty beneath our feet. Here is a study of creative examples that show the potential of underground architecture beyond basements, bunkers and standard train hubs.
∙ Lowline Lab Offers a Glimpse of NYC's First Underground Park [Curbed New York]
∙ Unsuspecting Las Vegas House Hides Secret Underground Nightclub [Curbed]
∙ How Did Iran Hide All Those Centrifuges? [Curbed]
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