Welcome to the underworld was a public exhibition at the Building Centre from 5 March to 22 June 2018.
What lies beneath the earth’s surface ignites our deepest fears and fantasies. But the underworld is also a place of largely untapped functionality. Underground space offers rich and complex opportunities and from pre-history to the present-day humanity has been inspired to use it for shelter, security, infrastructure, culture and leisure.
Projects in the exhibition took visitors on a journey through time, from the deep past to the near future, illuminating hidden feats of construction below ground. The exhibition revealed that subterranean conditions allow the creation of unique, controlled environments which serve exceptional purposes while preserving surface land, offering a vital resource in meeting the challenges of urban density.
The diverse buildings featured highlighted how challenges posed in the design and construction process require inspiration and collaboration in a way that stimulates innovation and continually generates new solutions.
The exhibition explored the ideas and skills that go into great underground structures and looks to a future where smart subterranean construction can contribute ever greater benefits.
Thank you to RIW for supporting the exhibition.
