The Punta del Hidalgo's Lighthouse - an innovating architectural approach

Welcome to my very first post in the Architecture+Design Community!

Today I'm gonna talk about one common building, that surely is very much appreciated by a person like me. I'm the type of guy who loves to walk by the sea side. Since I live in Portugal, and very close to the shore line, lighthouses are very common in my long walks next to shoreline.

Lighthouses always managed to put a smile on my lips. The reasons are obvious to me, but I can explain them here, so that you too can understand them.

The main one is the one I've already mentioned: As I'm a guy who likes to walk by the sea, being close to a structure that serves as a point of reference for those who "live" or "survive" at sea is always impressive. The second reason has to do with the poetic analogy of the structure's function itself, and its representation in "each one's life". I have the people I value the most as true living lighthouses, who don't let me sink in this crazy and confused life. For your reference, I also want to share with you that I have a lighthouse tattoo on my left arm :)

This year, during my vacation week, I manage to visit the beautiful island of Tenerife.

In addition to the natural gift that is the nature of the island of paradise, there are some architectural notes that make it (or at least, that made it in my eyes) very different. Ripping out of me the admiration of the presence of such a bold architectural decision.

As my profession has nothing to do with architecture or design, I hope I'm not being too presumptuous in saying that this structure, in my opinion, causes a disruption in the surrounding natural environment. what is your opinion? At first it reminded me of the architecture of some contemporary churches!! 😅 Have you been there?

The Punta del Hidalgo Lighthouse is an active lighthouse in Punta del Hidalgo (San Cristóbal de La Laguna) on the northeast coast of Tenerife, Canary Islands.

The uniqueness angular design, as I said before, captured my attention. The unequal and irregular columns, set "side-by-side", increasing in their height, from peripheral to center, arise from a triangular base.

This lighthouse is one of the seven located in the coast of Tenerife Island. The other ones are Anaga, Puerto de la Cruz, Buenavista, Punta del Teno, Punta Rasca and Punta Abona.

(image source: wikipedia)

The construction of the lighthouse was completed in 1992 and it became operational in 1994. The Punta del Hidalgo lighthouse designed by Ramiro Borlado is a stunning 50 meter tall reinforced concrete structure. The materials that were used in its construction were brought in specially, including white gravel, and colored concrete (that produces the "chalky" white finish). It has some references to the basaltic geology of the area through its form. The light from this point can reach up to 15 nautical miles.

The small natural reservation around it is a birdwatcher's paradise, while also welcoming those who venture so far away from the touristy areas to bathe in its natural pools.

View of the lighthouse from the path of Barranco Seco in Beija, with the adjacent banana greenhouses plantations

Sources that I've used in my post:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punta_del_Hidalgo_Lighthouse

https://divisare.com/projects/469545-alex-shoots-buildings-lighthouse-punta-del-hidalgo

I hope that you liked my first post in your community!

I hope to get some replies in improving the quality of the future publications!

Thank you for your attention 🙂

Cheers