Grand pyramid

Star-Architect Rem Koolhaas is to head an international jury to choose an architect for Germany's Grosse Pyramide in Dessau.

The pyramid, which at 578 m could be the largest man made structure “of all time”, is backed by the Kulturstiftung des Bundes, and is the brain child of Ingo Niermann and Jens Thiel.

The Kulturstiftung has given € 90000 for a feasibility study into construction of the pyramid, which will provide innovative burial plots, based on its ability to create jobs in the region.

Mr Thiel said costs for those wishing to be buried in the Pyramid would be between € 300 and € 700, although depends on the final size and construction costs.

Construction of the project is expected to start in 2008 and take 30 years.