{"id":15392,"date":"2023-04-13T18:04:05","date_gmt":"2023-04-14T01:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/explainer-groundscraper-the-antithesis-of-the-skyscraper\/"},"modified":"2023-04-13T18:04:06","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T01:04:06","slug":"explainer-groundscraper-the-antithesis-of-the-skyscraper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/explainer-groundscraper-the-antithesis-of-the-skyscraper\/","title":{"rendered":"Explainer: Groundscraper \u2014 the Antithesis of the Skyscraper"},"content":{"rendered":"

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We focus most of our coverage on skyscrapers, which have an indelible impact on skylines around the world. But just as important to the urban fabric of a city are low-rise and mid-rise buildings, which contribute to the pedestrian experience, and often form a consistent street wall of multiple uses. For short buildings that occupy a large amount of land, the ground-level entry and exit points are usually given increased attention. They don’t have enormous height to make a statement, so any eye-catching architectural articulation has to happen at close range to the user. Gradually entering the vocabulary of urban planning and architecture, the term\u00a0groundscraper\u00a0<\/em>denotes a large building, typically containing office uses, that principally stretches horizontally rather than vertically. Here, the importance of the plinth is emphasized, given the sheer size of the footprint.<\/p>\n

The Groothandelsgebouw in Rotterdam, image retrieved from Google Maps<\/span><\/p>\n

The Groothandelsgebouw in\u00a0Rotterdam<\/a>\u00a0was one of the first major buildings to be constructed after the bombing of the city during the Second World War. Completed in 1953 and modelled after\u00a0Chicago<\/a>‘s Merchandise Mart, which was once the largest building in the world by square footage, the office building contains a number of entrances and active street-oriented retail. Its stoutness and expansive reach are hallmarks of a definitive groundscraper. The sprawling structures of\u00a0Prora<\/a>, The Squarie in\u00a0Frankfurt<\/a>, and The Pentagon in Virginia are all generally classified as groundscrapers due to their massing and dimensions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Prora in Germany, image by Flickr user Jim Maurer via Creative Commons<\/span><\/p>\n

The immensity of some groundscrapers, particularly those disruptive to the established neighbouring built form, can be off-putting. 5 Broadgate in\u00a0London<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0Make Architects<\/a>\u00a0attracted scorn from the day it was proposed. Comments from architectural critics have derided the building’s relationship with its surroundings, its metallic sheen, and its lack of retail. The rough ride it has received stresses the importance of getting the design and composition of groundscrapers right. Setbacks can reduce the perceived heaviness of buildings and animated spaces on the main floor that spill out onto the sidewalk can contribute to the liveliness of the area.<\/p>\n

5 Broadgate in London, image by Flickr user Matt Brown via Creative Commons<\/span><\/p>\n

Have any other construction and development related terms that you would like to see featured on Explainer? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below!<\/p>\n

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From 2015 to 2017, UrbanToronto and its sister publication, SkyriseCities, ran an occasional series of articles under the heading\u00a0Explainer<\/strong><\/em>. Each one took a concept from Urban Planning, Architecture, Construction, or other topics that often wind up in our publications, and presented an in depth look at it. It’s time to revisit (and update where necessary) those articles for readers who are unfamiliar with them. While you may already know what some of these terms mean, others may be new to you. We are publishing or updating and republishing\u00a0Explainer<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0on a weekly basis. This article is an update of\u00a0one\u00a0that was originally published in 2017.<\/p>\n

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Do you have other planning terms that you would like to see featured on\u00a0Explainer<\/strong><\/em>? Share your comments and questions in the comments section below!<\/p>\n

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Want to read other\u00a0Explainers<\/strong><\/em>? Click on the magenta\u00a0Explainer<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0box at the top of the page.<\/p>\n

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UrbanToronto has a research service,\u00a0UrbanToronto Pro<\/a>, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area\u2014from proposal through to completion. We also offer\u00a0Instant\u00a0Reports<\/a>, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter,\u00a0New Development Insider<\/a>, that tracks projects from initial application.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n