RubjergKnude Lighthouse

Ferocious pounding storms constantly move and shapethe fantastic dune landscape on the northwest coast of Denmark. In 1968 anenormous sand dune devoured RubjergKnudeLigthouse leaving the tower as the onlyremaining structure, poised on the edge of the rapidly eroding cliff. In Spring of 2016 the lighthouse was reopened andretrofitted with an architectural installation that give the public the lastchance to enjoy the unique vistas and wild dynamic spectacle of nature, fromthe top of the lighthouse. BESSARDs’ STUDIO and JAJA Architects designed ascenographic stairway giving access to the tower and making the ascent asequence of architectural experiences. Staging its historic function as abeacon for the seafarers, they inserted a gigantic wind-powered kaleidoscopeinto the lighthouse that captures natural light and reflection, sending itinwards to create an ever-changing cascade of colors and glimpses of the seaand surrounding landscape. The kaleidoscope also functions as the structuralelement on which the stair wraps itself around. The triangular shape of thekaleidoscope in combination with the perforated and transparent stair create aplayful interaction with the square geometry of the lighthouse, staging aunique experience of the vertical space, which stretches between earth and sky. The project is a variation on the properties of oneunique material: steel. Rusted, mirror polished, bent, perforated, welded andfinally carefully assembled into a monolith inside the lighthouse. It providesa visual and tactile experience reacting to the extreme meteorologicalcharacteristics of the site that creates an aging process that gradually mergesthe kaleidoscope together with the historic lighthouse. According to geological surveys, the lighthousewill be taken by the sea within the next 2 to 15 years. Nobody knows exactlywhen the tower will fall but when it will, the project will be entirelydisassembled and – thanks to its constructive system – be remounted orrecycled. The revitalization of RubjergKnude Lighthouse ispart of a nation-wide initiative of architectural interventions that seek toinvite the public to experience the most unique and remarkable areas of theDanish landscape. RubjergKnude transformation was commissioned by RealdaniaFoundation, The Danish Nature Agency and Hjørring Municipality. Projectinfo Projecttitle:RubjergKnude Lighthouse Program:Transformation of lighthouse Location:RubjergKnudeFyr, Hjørring, DK Size:+40m2 Year:2013-16 (completed) Credits Architect:JAJA Architects, Copenhagen ( ) &BESSARD’s Studio ( ) Client:NaturstyrelsenogRealdania - StederiLandskabet Engineering:Erasmus & Partners Engineering Consultants Financedby:Realdania, HjørringKommune and ENV-fonden Contractor:HadstenSmede- og Maskinværksted A/S