The world's largest glass sculpture is the "Mangrove," an 88-foot-tall, 25.4-meter-high installation by Nikolas Weinstein located in the lobby of the Solaire Resort North in the Philippines, holding the Guinness World Record for the largest glass tube installation. This monumental work, inspired by local mangrove trees, consists of over 11 kilometers of hand-cut and fired glass tubes supported by stainless steel, designed to reflect light and create an immersive architectural experience.
What is the Mangrove Sculpture?
Artist & Inspiration
Mangrove is the work of American sculptor Nikolas Weinstein, commissioned by Solaire Resort North in Quezon City, Metro Manila. It draws inspiration from the fibrous, interwoven root systems of native mangrove trees—embodying nature’s resilience and elegance.Rhino3DzineLionhearTVWorld-Record Achievement
The sculpture has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the Largest Glass Tube Installation. It stands approximately 25.396 meters tall (about 83 feet), spanning the resort’s grand lobby in flowing, dynamic forms.LionhearTV+1sn.solaireresort.com
Dimensions & Structure
Scale
Length: ~28 meters
Width: ~35 meters
Height: ~27 meters (around 88 ft)Rhino3Dzine+1LionhearTV
Materials & Composition
The sculpture comprises 16,385 unique glass tubes, hand-cut, polished, fired, and woven by artisans. These are supported by stainless-steel spines and aircraft cable, interweaving over 11 kilometers of borosilicate glass tubing.Rhino3Dzine+2Rhino3Dzine+2
Engineering & Fabrication
Design Tools & Process
The creative process employed advanced digital tools—hand-sculpted models were scanned and translated into parametric models using Rhinoceros and Grasshopper. Every glass tube and structural element was digitally logged and refined through comprehensive modeling.Rhino3DzineStructural Collaboration
Given the Philippines’ seismic activity, Arup provided structural and materials engineering support. Through sophisticated simulations using software like Oasys GSA and LS-DYNA, the team analyzed seismic performance, iteratively testing and refining every component for strength and stability.Rhino3Dzine+1Fabrication & Installation
The modular sculpture was fabricated in studios located in New York and San Francisco, packed into five 40-foot containers, and shipped to Manila. Forty craftsmen spent six months on-site weaving the intricate glass "textile" into its final form—a stunning fusion of art and architecture.Rhino3Dzine+1
Experience & Symbolism
Immersive Design
Visitors can walk beneath its archways, ride escalators alongside its undulating forms, and experience shifting patterns of light as the sculpture interacts with the environment—a dynamic, sensory centerpiece.Rhino3DzineSymbolism
The sculpture thoughtfully mirrors the mangrove's role as a symbol of coastal resilience—melding the organic with the architectural and nature with innovation. As Gregory Hawkins of Bloomberry Resorts put it, the stone stands out for its “creativity, elegance, and meaning.”Daily TribuneLionhearTV
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Artist | Nikolas Weinstein |
| Location | Solaire Resort North, Quezon City, Philippines |
| Record | Guinness World Record – Largest Glass Tube Installation |
| Dimensions | ~25–27 m tall; ~28 m long; ~35 m wide |
| Materials | ~16,385 glass tubes, borosilicate glass, steel spines, aircraft cables |
| Engineering | Structural support by Arup, digital modeling with Rhino & Grasshopper |
| Fabrication | Studios in NY & SF, shipped modularly, 6-month on-site weaving |
| Experience | Immersive, playful light interactions in a grand atrium environment |
In Conclusion
Mangrove is not just a sculpture—it’s a milestone in contemporary architectural glass art. It stands as a harmonious interplay between digital design, artisanal craftsmanship, engineering ingenuity, and immersive aesthetics.
Meanwhile, here's my Food for Thought for Today:
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