During earthquake liquefaction, when the shaking ground gains liquid- like properties, this building, which is mostly underground, is designed to be buoyant. Since it is already positioned for liquefaction, it will neither float upwards, sink downwards, or topple over. An added benefit of being mostly underground is a drop in heating and cooling expenses by taking advantage of underground temperatures which is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Light wells are provided for comfort.
-- rhatta, Aug 08 2009

Earthquake engineering - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia...thquake_engineering
[rhatta, Aug 08 2009]

Specifics about construction? What makes something bouyant in dirt?
-- DIYMatt, Aug 08 2009


A building floating 20 stories deep in a swimming pool. Windows look out on colorful fish and tasteful undersea plant life, lit by sunlight from above. Swimming and scuba diving are popular as well.
-- sninctown, Aug 08 2009


All you need is the right density to be buoyant. The same principle as that which applies to ships.
-- rhatta, Aug 08 2009


This just isn't much of an idea. Any building that does not project much above the ground and is robust enough to survive the vibrations of an earthquake is little likely to be otherwise threatened by an earthquake. A solution looking for a problem.
-- WcW, Aug 09 2009


I think there is a concept called 'Alfa Cube's' :

large dimension, say 1 by 1 by 1 kilometer concrete construction cubes, just sitting on the land, or even floating in the sea,... 350 meters submersed, 650 meters of the greatest view !.
-- sirau, Jun 01 2011


Phoenix caissons. Buoyant in seawater, and liquified ground is much denser.

All you need to do is stop them toppling.
-- 8th of 7, Jun 01 2011


quicksand moat.
-- FlyingToaster, Jun 01 2011



random, halfbakery