with his latest concept, artist vincent leroy intends to breathe new life into abandoned stone windmills on lanzarote. due to its windy weather, the spanish island is well known for its windmills, which were traditionally used to grind grain or pump water. this project, called ‘molinoptere’, pays homage to the historical mills and creates a link between past, present, and future.

vincent leroy grafts elegant steel blades onto an old windmill in lanzarote designboom

all images © vincent leroy

 

 

the proposal envisions an elegant steel structure built onto the base of the old windmill. in contrast to the solidity of the base, the new blades are composed of curved stainless steel that appear light and permeable. thanks to the constant island breeze, the blades are set in motion. and vincent leroy also intends for the design to produce energy for the local electricity grid. 

vincent leroy grafts elegant steel blades onto an old windmill in lanzarote designboom

a wind turbine of a new kind grafted onto an old windmill base

 

 

blurring the line between poetry and technology, the elegant design is pleasing to watch as the curved blades slowly rotate. with ‘molinoptere’, leroy hopes to repurpose these old mills, which lost their propellers many years ago. this first concept has been developed for the windmill of buenavista lanzarote country suites.

vincent leroy grafts elegant steel blades onto an old windmill in lanzarote designboom

the propeller with its curved stainless steel lamellae

 

vincent leroy grafts elegant steel blades onto an old windmill in lanzarote designboom

a constant wind blows throughout the year on the island

vincent leroy grafts elegant steel blades onto an old windmill in lanzarote designboom

enigmatic forms seem suspended in the sky of the volcanic desert

vincent leroy grafts elegant steel blades onto an old windmill in lanzarote designboom

interesting contrast between the sold base and permeable structure of the blades

vincent leroy grafts elegant steel blades onto an old windmill in lanzarote designboom

the rotation is slow but continues day and night

vincent leroy grafts elegant steel blades onto an old windmill in lanzarote designboom

view of the propeller structure inside the mill

vincent leroy grafts elegant steel blades onto an old windmill in lanzarote designboom

the first research drawing by vincent leroy in lanzarote

 

 

project info:

 

project name: molinoptere

status: concept

location: buenavista lanzarote country suites, lanzarote

design: vincent leroy

sound research video: jérôme echenoz / adorable studio

 

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: lynne myers | designboom