far os
Cyprus Lighthouse - Design Competition
Paphos, Cyprus
First Prize
2018
The competition, organised by the cyprus school of architecture (cysoa), seeks conceptual designs for a new lighthouse structure and local landmark on geroskipou beach. The lighthouse competition involves the design of an unmanned structure with a light-source to act as a focal point for the area
The structure may be constructed from any material, and innovation and unusual formal expression are encouraged. The only requirement is that the light-source is accessible for maintenance. The “lighthouse” should be positioned anywhere along geroskipou beach in paphos, cyprus
Geroskipou is a coastal town east of the major city of paphos. Its population is approximately 7,000 and it is the second largest municipality in paphos district.
A lighthouse without walls
n the realm of architectural innovation and creativity, the competition organized by the Cyprus School of Architecture (CySoA) beckoned us to reimagine the quintessential lighthouse—a symbol of guidance and hope. Our conceptual design, FAR-OS, was conceived to transcend the conventional, setting forth a vision for a new lighthouse structure and local landmark on the picturesque Geroskipou Beach. It is a tribute to both tradition and modernity, where hundreds of balloons, each carrying a delicate illumination source, redefine the very essence of what a lighthouse can be.
At the heart of this competition lies the challenge to design an unmanned structure that stands as a beacon, a focal point for Geroskipou Beach in Paphos, Cyprus. The task at hand was to envision a lighthouse, an icon with a light-source, while embracing the spirit of innovation, encouraging the use of unconventional materials, and promoting imaginative formal expressions. The sole constraint: the light-source must be readily accessible for maintenance. Geroskipou, nestled along the coastal fringes to the east of the bustling city of Paphos, is a charming coastal town. Its vibrant population of approximately 7,000 residents makes it the second largest municipality in the Paphos district. It is within this backdrop, where the sea kisses the shore and history whispers through the air, that the FAR-OS project aims to make its mark.
Floating constellations of light
he essence of FAR-OS lies in the mesmerizing dance of light and innovation. Hundreds of balloons, each tethered to the ground by a delicate fiber cable, compose this visionary lighthouse. These balloons, akin to luminous stars, provide the primary source of illumination. The fiber cables, each of varying length, lend individuality to the balloons, allowing them to glow at different heights. It’s a modern interpretation of the classic “lighthouse tower form,” but with ethereal lights in place of traditional walls.
A complex network of fiber cables converges at a single, grand rectangular wooden base nestled on the beach. This base serves as more than just a physical anchor; it is a generator of power, breathing life into the FAR-OS lighthouse. It unites the luminous balloons, pulsating in harmony, to create a spectacle that redefines the very essence of what a lighthouse can be.
FAR-OS is more than a structural marvel; it is a testament to the fusion of tradition and modernity. It pays homage to the age-old symbol of the lighthouse, a steadfast guide to mariners. Yet, it does so with a contemporary twist, eschewing solid walls for the play of light, fiber cables, and the boundless potential of imagination.
In summary, FAR-OS is an architectural testament to the boundless potential of human creativity. It envisions a lighthouse not as a static monument but as a dynamic symphony of light and innovation—a beacon that lights not only the way for ships but also for the human spirit. As the balloons of FAR-OS gently illuminate the night sky over Geroskipou Beach, they symbolize the unwavering human capacity to reimagine the familiar and chart new horizons.
