Gallery: Watch: The World's Most Complex Sand Castle Has 260 Million Facets

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    Dramatic lighting helps catch the 170-square-foot structure's extraordinary detail. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
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    The complete design for *Digital Grotesque*. *Image: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
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    *Digital Grotesque* was a serious construction challenge, complete with a gantry crane. *Photo: Demetris Shammas / Achilleas Xydis*
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    design4

    The details on the piece are extremely detailed, but completely unplanned. *Image: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
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    The sandy material in its untreated form. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
  • The design process is emergent but not random. Rendering parameters are tightly controlled and ruthlessly edited. Image...
    06

    design5

    The design process is emergent, but not random. Rendering parameters are tightly controlled and ruthlessly edited. *Image: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
  • Image may contain Human Person Tripod Furniture Chair Flooring Interior Design and Indoors
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    At 9 feet tall, the sculpture dwarfs its viewers. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
  • Image may contain Human Person Workshop Building and Factory
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    Coating the bespoke building blocks with a resin that adds strength and durability. *Photo: Emetris Shammas / Achilleas Xydis*
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    The algorithms work at multiple scales and the details reflect the curves and forms of the space's larger elements. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
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    fabrication2

    Silica sand and a specially formulated binding chemical are the only materials used in fabrication. *Photo: Emetris Shammas / Achilleas Xydis*
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    Removing excess sand from the sculpture with compressed air. *Photo: Emetris Shammas / Achilleas Xydis*
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    fabrication4

    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*
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    installation5

    With a sculpture this large and complex, dusting becomes a major time commitment. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
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    fabrication6

    Cataloging and assembling the pieces became a logistical challenge requiring a team of volunteers. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
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