Dutch team erects 30-meter Flamenco Ice Tower in China
A team of Dutch and international led by the Technical University - Eindhoven were putting the finishing touches on a gigantic tower of ice under construction since December 13 in Harbin, China. Dubbed the "Flamenco Ice Tower", the 30-meter tall structure was planned for the city's annual ice festival, and included six illuminated staircases made of transparent ice blocks to allow visitors to explore the shell structure.
Ice used in the tower is made from a composite of man-made fibers and water, which significantly increased the strength of the ice. The material was then sprayed against a massive inflated air cushion serving as a mold for the tall structure.
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The tower's design was meant to evoke an image of traditional Chinese structures and a large Andalusian Flamenco dress. The team used the Spanish dress concept to give a European flair to the ice building.
The design and engineering team behind the project, called "Structural Ice", included representatives of Harbin Institute of Technology, Dutch academic institutions TU-Delft, Summa College and Sint Lucas, as well as Belgian facilities Ghent University and KU Leuven.
Underway since Christmas Eve, the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival 2018 was scheduled to run through February 25. Officially under construction still on January 2, attendees can find the completed Flamenco Ice Tower from January 10 at the Maple Leaf Village Outlet Plaza.
