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
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding.
Types of rapidly renewable content
From forestry to agricultural crops and their by-products.
Terraced houses and the public realm
The discernible difference between the public realm of detached housing and of terraced housing.
Put digitalisation and sustainability at the core of curricula
Project management educators are urged.
Looking back at the influence of climate events
From a designer and writer: 'There are limits to growth but no limits to development'.
Terms, histories, theories and practice.
Biophilic design and natural light
Letting in the light and natural elements into spaces.
APM Programme Management Conference 2024
Strategies for Success.
Residential takes the reins as contract awards even out
Contracts down, but remain above the last quarter of 2023.
Celebrating Eid and the largest mud-brick building.
Barry Kingscote claims prestigious CIOB CMYA Award.
The British Mosque: an architectural and social history
The story of some 1,500 mosques or more in Britain.
Heat pump refrigerants, efficiencies and impacts
R12 to R1270 what are the differences?
Global heat pump market in 2023
Challenging times with positive but modest outlook.
Beyond the infrastructure pipeline
Opportunities and chokepoints.