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
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.
Digital technology, transformation and cybersecurity
Supporting SMEs through Digitalisation in Construction.
Villa Wolf in Gubin, history and reconstruction. Book review.
Construction contract awards down one billion pounds
Decline over the past two months compared to the same period last year, follows the positive start to the year.
Editor's broadbrush view on forms of electrical heating in context.
The pace of heating change; BSRIA market intelligence
Electric Dreams, Boiler Realities.
New President of ECA announced
Ruth Devine MBE becomes the 112th President of the Electrical Contractors Association.
New CIAT Professional Standards Competency Framework
Supercedes the 2019 Professional Standards Framework from 1 May 2025.
Difficult Sites: Architecture Against the Odds
Free exhibition at the RIBA Architecture Gallery until 31 May.
PPN 021: Payment Spot Checks in Public Sub-Contracts
Published following consultation and influence from ECA.