Punta de Hidalgo Lighthouse
The Punta del Hidalgo Lighthouse is a very elegant and charmingly constructed lighthouse, with a whiff of that ‘modernity’ which took the world by storm in the twentieth century. Situated on the Northeast coast of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, it is an angular piece of architecture that stretches 50 metres high.
Lighthouses are prominent constructions that stand tall and alone, as answers to prayers for those at sea. Thousands of lighthouses continue to exist around the world, some occupied while some are deserted, but all of them are nestled well in the laces of stories that have been strung around them.
Modern Architecture has a focus on sleek and elegant design without excessive frills. The overall look, even if imaginative and artistically inclined, never sacrifices on utilitarianism. The Punta del Hidalgo reflects these very facets of modern architecture.
The structure is constructed as a unique angular design with unequal, irregular pillars piled up one on top of the other, in ascending order. It is formed on a triangular base, the smallest vortex supporting the lowest, tiniest pillar and so forth.
The smaller pillars combine together to form a large square pillar facing the sea while supporting a small light post. The façade of the Lighthouse is reminiscent of a giant stairway rising towards the sky. The appearance of the lighthouse is striking and prominent to sailors and tourists both, acting as a homing beacon for those at sea. Light from this lighthouse can be seen up to 16 nautical miles in a systematic pattern of two flashes of white light every seven seconds.
The year 1992 witnessed the completion of this iconic structure and within the next two years, it had actively begun operating. The height of the lighthouse is about one hundred and sixty feet, built out of specially reinforced concrete. This special material is made by embedding steel into concrete as a reinforcing element that adds to its tensile strength and ductility. Coloured concrete was also used to provide the structure of the Punta del Hidalgo lighthouse with an elegant white finish.
Source: ststworld.com
