This year at Design Miami, UK architect Asif Khan collaborated with Swarovski to build a true Crystal Palace. The design of the structure was driven and inspired by the natural phenomenon know as parhelia – an optical event in which low sunlight and airborne ice crystals serendipitously interact to create luminous halos in arctic and northern skies.

To recreate this phenomenon within his man made structure, Khan worked closely with a research team from Manchester University. Khan describes the installation as an exploration into the use of crystals as a medium to infuse architecture with light.

As you can see, the resultant 1.3 million Swarovski crystal “Parhelia” palace was a success! If you haven’t already, be sure to watch the short video above.

Photos and video via swarovskicrystalpalace.tumblr.com