studio NAB's lighthouse keeper cabin projects a luminous tower hologram into the sea

the ‘hololightkeeper’ is a concept of a lighthouse using the holographic technology, an allegory of a traditional structure — the innovative solution creates a bridge between the classical maritime lighthouse and new technologies regarding the projection of a hologram in 3D. paris-based design studio NAB thought about a solution to try and stem the phenomenon of this typology, to revive the ancestral lighthouse keeper job and to modernize the famous concrete monolith as it is anchored in the collective imaginary while preserving its aesthetic codes by means of holographic image in 3D.

in levitation above the water, the cabin and its central pillar create the structural connection between the footbridge and the seabed

NAB’s project, intended to be implanted on our shores, is a refuge where the guardian will be able to evolve within a cabin of 30 sqm, conceived in a light-metal framework and benefiting from an envelope in stainless steel panels. the set resting on a system of reinforced concrete and steel piles is fixed in the hard rock of seabed. concerned about the environmental impact of the project, the latter is self-sufficient at the energetic level thanks to the implementation of a wind turbine, solar panels and a mini center of desalination of the sea water into drinking water.

a view of the cabin and its retractable ladder

from the bridge, the guardian climbs into a comfortable accessible volume up a retractable ladder — the cabin, which is also a workplace, is organized into several distinct spaces. it includes a living and a resting space, a zone of navigation control and a projection space, equipped for the video broadcasting of the hologram. at night, when the guardian works and guides the boats off the coasts, he can control the holographic diffusion in real time.

panoramic view of the ocean 

technically, this twenty-five meters high 3D hologram lighthouse is diffused at 50 meters distance from the projection booth by means of holographic cameras projecting the light onto a highly transparent mesh, almost invisible and very reflective, fixed on a structure anchored in the sea. composed of, among other materials, silver, this structure allows to highlight the architecture of a dematerialized lighthouse, and thus develop the necessary light to guide boats off the coasts.

the flexible night space

wide openings on the outside reveal the various spaces composing the cabin of the guardian

floorplan of the cabin

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: maria erman | designboom