Largest sandcastle in the world
[Image © Instagram user velberlinle]
In September 2017, the Guinness Book of World Records officially crowned a new champion for the title of world’s largest sandcastle.
Despite being a landlocked city, the sandcastle is located in Duisburg, Germany, and is the city’s second attempt at the title. They were disqualified in 2016 for using materials other than sand and water after the sandcastle suffered a significant collapse.
The new and victorious ‘sandscraper’ reaches a height of 16.68 m (55 ft) and is made up of more than 3,860 tons of sand. It took a team of designers more than three weeks to complete. To try and avoid the problems of last year, the team used a different variety of sand, composed of a very fine quartz measuring less than 1 mm per grain. They had to deal with a minor collapse mid-way through the construction, but by amending and adapting their design, they were able to complete it on schedule.
[Image © Instagram user lsolty]
Their design is based on a medieval city, and inspired by Pieter Bruegel’s masterpiece ‘The Tower of Babel’. The sculpture is intricately detailed and incorporates famous structures including a scale version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The sandcastle claims the world record from a structure completed in February 2017 in Puri, India, which measured 50 ft tall. It is to remain on view to the public until 29th September 2017.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”
Guidance notes to prepare for April ERA changes
From the Electrical Contractors' Association Employee Relations team.
Significant changes to be seen from the new ERA in 2026 and 2027, starting on 6 April 2026.
First aid in the modern workplace with St John Ambulance.
Ireland's National Residential Retrofit Plan
Staged initiatives introduced step by step.
Solar panels, pitched roofs and risk of fire spread
60% increase in solar panel fires prompts tests and installation warnings.
Modernising heat networks with Heat interface unit
Why HIUs hold the key to efficiency upgrades.
Reflecting on the work of the CIOB Academy
Looking back on 2025 and where it's going next.
Procurement in construction: Knowledge hub
Brief, overview, key articles and over 1000 more covering procurement.
Sir John Betjeman’s love of Victorian church architecture.
Exchange for Change for UK deposit return scheme
The UK Deposit Management Organisation established to deliver Deposit Return Scheme unveils trading name.
A guide to integrating heat pumps
As the Future Homes Standard approaches Future Homes Hub publishes hints and tips for Architects and Architectural Technologists.
BSR as a standalone body; statements, key roles, context
Statements from key figures in key and changing roles.
Resident engagement as the key to successful retrofits
Retrofit is about people, not just buildings, from early starts to beyond handover.