Manila, Philippines
Mangrove, a monumental glass sculpture at Solaire Resort North in Quezon City, Philippines, stands as a breathtaking centerpiece that redefines architectural glass art. Conceived by Samantha Drummond and crafted by glass artist Nikolas Weinstein, this installation soars nearly eight storeys high and spans more than 28 meters, drawing inspiration from the complex root systems of native mangrove trees.
Designed to inhabit the resort’s 30-meter-high public atrium, Mangrove invites visitors to engage with its organically curved glass branches, encouraging movement beneath, around, and through its intricate forms. Its ever-changing visual presence is created by over 16,000 hand-formed borosilicate glass tubes woven with more than 25 kilometers of structural cabling, assembled onsite by a skilled crew over six months. The sculpture captures and reflects natural light, producing dynamic patterns that shift with the time of day and weather, blending natural and built environments into a harmonious urban oasis.
The sculpture’s structural integrity was critical given the Philippines’ seismic activity, prompting collaboration with engineering consultancy Arup. Innovative solutions integrate over 11 kilometers of glass tubing interlaced with aircraft cables and stainless-steel spines, resulting in a resilient and dynamic form.
Mangrove’s dimensions are impressive: standing 25.4 meters tall, 19.2 meters wide, and 24.2 meters deep, weighing nearly 13 metric tons with a glass surface area exceeding 1,390 square meters. Its transportation required five 40-foot ocean containers, and its fabrication involved meticulous handcrafting, including individual cutting, polishing, firing, and assembly of each uniquely curved glass tube.
More than just a sculpture, Mangrove reflects four years of interdisciplinary collaboration among visionary designer Drummond, artist Weinstein, and teams of engineers, lighting specialists, and fabricators. It represents a fusion of artistic vision, craftsmanship, and advanced engineering. The work not only embodies the resort’s “Urban Oasis” design ethos but also serves as a symbol of resilience, creativity, and growth.
Habitus Design Group, led by Drummond, has extensive experience in directing large-scale hospitality projects, blending cultural and natural inspirations with cutting-edge design. Nikolas Weinstein, known for pioneering “glass textiles,” brings a lifelong fascination with organic forms and scientific precision to create innovative, structurally complex glass installations worldwide. Together, they have elevated Solaire Resort North’s lobby into an immersive experience that encourages exploration and awe.
Mangrove at Solaire Resort North stands as a landmark achievement in contemporary art and architecture, showcasing the transformative power of glass as a medium and setting new standards for scale, technical challenge, and artistic expression in integrated resort design. Visitors encounter a living sculpture that vibrates with light, movement, and energy, elevating the resort’s identity on the global stage.
