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...
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    design5

    The design process is emergent, but not random. Rendering parameters are tightly controlled and ruthlessly edited. *Image: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
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    At 9 feet tall, the sculpture dwarfs its viewers. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
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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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    fabrication5

    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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    With a sculpture this large and complex, dusting becomes a major time commitment. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
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    Cataloging and assembling the pieces became a logistical challenge requiring a team of volunteers. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
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    A small-scale prototype to prove the concept. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
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    A gilded model of the completed work. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
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    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*
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    installation4

    The structure has no explicit religious motivations, but has the feeling of a church or mosque. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
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    Ultimately, the architects hope to build an entire home with this method. *Photo: Hansmeyer / Dillenburger*
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    Experimental renderings. *Image: Dillenburger*
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