Gallery: Watch: The World's Most Complex Sand Castle Has 260 Million Facets
01installation2
Dramatic lighting helps catch the 170-square-foot structure's extraordinary detail. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
02design1
The complete design for *Digital Grotesque*. *Image: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
03installation10
*Digital Grotesque* was a serious construction challenge, complete with a gantry crane. *Photo: Demetris Shammas / Achilleas Xydis*
04design4
The details on the piece are extremely detailed, but completely unplanned. *Image: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
05fabrication3
The sandy material in its untreated form. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
06design5
The design process is emergent, but not random. Rendering parameters are tightly controlled and ruthlessly edited. *Image: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
07installation1
At 9 feet tall, the sculpture dwarfs its viewers. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
08fabrication7
Coating the bespoke building blocks with a resin that adds strength and durability. *Photo: Emetris Shammas / Achilleas Xydis*
09installation6
The algorithms work at multiple scales and the details reflect the curves and forms of the space's larger elements. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
10fabrication2
Silica sand and a specially formulated binding chemical are the only materials used in fabrication. *Photo: Emetris Shammas / Achilleas Xydis*
11fabrication5
Removing excess sand from the sculpture with compressed air. *Photo: Emetris Shammas / Achilleas Xydis*
12fabrication4
Parts made on Voxeljet printers are typically thrown away and treated as an industrial byproduct. In the hands of these architects, they become art. *Photo: Emetris Shammas / Achilleas Xydis*
13installation5
With a sculpture this large and complex, dusting becomes a major time commitment. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
14fabrication6
Cataloging and assembling the pieces became a logistical challenge requiring a team of volunteers. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
15prototype2
A small-scale prototype to prove the concept. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
16prototype8
A gilded model of the completed work. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
17installation9
Hansmeyer and Dillenburger were assisted by Maria Smigielska, Yuko Ishizu, Tihomir Janjusevic, Evi Xexaki, Demetris Shammas, Miro Eichelberger, Jeanne Wellinger, Nicolás Miranda, Turu Akihiko Tanigaito, and Achilleas Xydis. *Photo: Demetris Shammas / Achilleas Xydis*
18installation4
The structure has no explicit religious motivations, but has the feeling of a church or mosque. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
19installation3
Ultimately, the architects hope to build an entire home with this method. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
20pattern-sandcastle
Experimental renderings. *Image: Dillenburger*
