Illinois Institute of Technology students build 12-foot colorful ice tower on campus

BRONZEVILLE, Ill. - In Bronzeville, a group of graduate students at the Illinois Institute of Technology are putting their skills to the test with a newly unveiled ice tower.

It was constructed over the past week—thanks to the recent blast of arctic weather.

What we know:

Thirteen students and their professor worked under tight time constraints, as their project required freezing temperatures to complete.

The IIT students are part of a program called Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism (MTVBU).

Together, they spent one week planning, preparing, and bringing their vision for an ice tower to life.

"It starts with water balloons, we filled up 275 balloons and we let them sit out for about two to four days until they all froze," said Kristin LaSorsa, IIT MTVBU student.

Food coloring was added to give them some flair and once rock solid, the spheres were transported to the build site.

"We brought them over here and started kind of piling them all up. We used snow and water to form a mortar," LaSorsa said.

Located outside of Crown Hall, their icy display is now capturing the attention of campus, with fellow students stopping for photo opportunities.

What they're saying:

For the students who constructed the tower, the project has quickly become a highlight of their college careers.

"It’s my first time here in the winter, cold—it’s really exciting," said Akkil Shanavaz, IIT MTVBU student.

"You know, ultimately we draw, and we make designs on paper, seeing it on-site is really pleasing, heart-pleasing," added Jyot Mankad, IIT MTVBU student.

The tower was inspired by their professor, Antony Wood, who is also the director of the Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism program.

Over the years, Wood has created ice structures with his family in their own backyard. Three years ago, they built a 5-foot-6-inch-tall bulb igloo, measuring 8 feet in diameter. They’ve also previously designed and built an ice pyramid outside of their Oak Park home.

Wood hadn’t brought the project to campus—until now.

"They were the ones that pushed me to 12 feet. You know, we have these scaffolds up and I'm like, ‘okay, guys, I think we're done—10 feet, tall enough,’" Wood said. "’No professor. I think we can go another couple of rows.’ So they pushed it to 12 feet."

It was a true team effort.

"I've never gotten the chance to build any kind of igloo or anything like this, so it was a super cool experience," said Jillian Oligschlaeger, IIT MTVBU student.

"It couldn’t have been done without a team," said Aida Alvarado, IIT MTVBU student.

Now—it is on track to become a towering tradition.

"Next year we'll do it again and we'll do it better, bigger, and more efficient," Wood said.

What's next:

The ice tower will remain standing amid campus buildings for fellow students to enjoy—until it melts.