This new inverted skyscraper concept builds itself and harnesses the power of the deep oceans
Crazy designs sometimes have a way of becoming real, and while this concept combines various different technologies together this is one that might never be built ...
Key takeaways
- Electricity, solar energy, hydrogen combustion, all prove to be incredible substitutes for ‘dirty’ fossil fuels, although some believe there’s another abundantly available alternative – combustible ice on the ocean floor.
- Little talked about this combustible ice is found in truly massive quantities at the bottom of the oceans where these ice-shaped masses are made when water and natural gas, like Methane, get frozen together.
- The Drilling Water-Scraper as it’s known is a conceptual architectural design that received an Honourable Mention at the 2022 eVolo Skyscraper Competition.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2022) 'This new inverted skyscraper concept builds itself and harnesses the power of the deep oceans', 311 Institute, 4 March. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/this-new-inverted-skyscraper-concept-builds-itself-and-harnesses-the-power-of-the-deep-oceans/ (Accessed: 8 October 2026).
The idea of completely rejecting fossil fuels isn’t new and there are plenty of alternative kinds of energy that we can use. Electricity, solar energy, hydrogen combustion, all prove to be incredible substitutes for ‘dirty’ fossil fuels, although some believe there’s another abundantly available alternative – combustible ice on the ocean floor. Little talked about this combustible ice is found in truly massive quantities at the bottom of the oceans where these ice-shaped masses are made when water and natural gas, like Methane, get frozen together.
Also known as Methane Hydrate or flammable ice, which sometimes bubbles up to the surface of lakes and catches fire, which then makes it look like they’re on fire, this white snow-like mass burns to release water and methane as by-products, and as a result some believe its abundance could help offset the world’s current carbon crisis by shifting society to the next best thing, and into the oceans ... something which the UN has now actually approved as the Maldives government begins work on the world's first ocean based city.
Now, to harness this energy a team has designed an interesting new kind of inverse, upside down, skyscraper that uses this energy source as its prime fuel source. The Drilling Water-Scraper as it’s known is a conceptual architectural design that received an Honourable Mention at the 2022 eVolo Skyscraper Competition.
In the designs the water-scrapers extend downwards to the ocean bed, mining it for combustible ice, while the upper half gathers plastic waste from the ocean, effectively cleaning it.
There are two main moving lines in the building - the downward materials, and the upward energy. Among them, the energy tower transforms the plastic waste in the sea into 3D printing materials, and then prints the building and energy tank down along the core cylinder thereby turning itself into a building and continuing to “grow” as it prints itself. The mined ice is then pressurized and liquefied before being stored in the water-scraper’s energy tanks, and then cargo ships make their way to the scrapers, collect this energy, bringing it to the cities.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Crazy designs sometimes have a way of becoming real, and while this concept combines various different technologies together this is one that might never be built ...
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
What future do you need to see?
Choose one to get started on industry and manufacturing and the future of your organisation.
Sources and further reading
- Methane hydrates geology.com
- eVolo Skyscraper Competition yankodesign.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 4 March 2022. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2022). This new inverted skyscraper concept builds itself and harnesses the power of the deep oceans. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/this-new-inverted-skyscraper-concept-builds-itself-and-harnesses-the-power-of-the-deep-oceans/
You are welcome to quote this article with credit and a link to the original.