Redevelopment of the Villa de Bouzas promenade

The challenge faced by Manuel Carazo together with Spotlux (lighting and home automation) to illuminate the seafront near the historic centre of Villa de Bouzas (Vigo) was to successfully merge the fields of light and architecture, preserving the transition between the urban character of the area and the natural environment in which it is located. 
The Concello de Vigo awarded the redevelopment of the Bouzas seafront to Santorio Arquitectos, who found themselves operating in a complex context, as the space includes natural terraces, a lively promenade, homes and historical elements. 
The concept of the architect and lighting designer for the lighting involved harmonious integration with the architecture and space, to create an inclusive, pleasant public environment that invites sharing. 

The most problematic areas were located along the promenade: access to the walkway located on the sea was prohibited due to its poor condition, as was the deteriorated stone paving and finally, the stepped area overlooking the bay had to be adapted for pedestrian traffic and to allow access to the port area. At the time of the fine-tuning of the lighting, in addition to their function, particular emphasis was placed on the aesthetic impact of the luminaires, considered as urban design elements. In the first part of the promenade, more linked to the city, the granite paving joins the Elondo wood (also known as African oak, used for its resistance). The meeting between these two materials is marked by a line of Light Up Orbit (Ø 28mm) recessed lights, which consume only 1W. Along this path we also find green garden areas (increased by 63% with the redevelopment) and equipped pergolas, fundamental elements of the architectural project as meeting and leisure points, illuminated with MaxiWoody Compact projectors (with wide flood optics and a special anchoring system for catenary). In this same area, some of the historical and plant heritage elements to be highlighted with lighting were identified. In this case, Light Up Earth (Ø 144 mm) recessed lights with Wide Flood optics were installed to mark the accesses to the fishermen's houses, considered emblematic elements within the project. To give dynamism and fluidity, the architecture firm Santorio Arquitectos, designed an inclination of the conical poles, on which the projectors are installed, of 5° with respect to the vertical. The orientation of the projectors allowed a reduction in their number, minimising energy consumption and light pollution. To maintain aesthetic coherence, MaxiWoody Compact with wide flood optics were chosen which, with the use of an elliptical lens, offer the seafront a pleasant uniformity. As a complement, iWay round bollards with Super Comfort 360º optics and maximum vandal resistance, an IK10, were also installed. 

After crossing the most urban and built-up section, the seafront unfolds towards a more naturalised environment, where the paving gives way to a dirt path, with islands of vegetation of native species, such as birches and large willows that have been carefully preserved during the execution of the works. For this section, Light Up Earth recessed lights with Wall washer optics to highlight rocky stretches and Flood optics to illuminate the vegetation were also proposed. In the heart of the central segment of the seafront is the staircase that descends harmoniously to reach the sea: a 250-metre bench that provides a versatile and welcoming space. The construction of this staircase is an engineering success as it was built in a tidal area, thus challenging conventional limits. To ensure complete accessibility to the staircase area, a longitudinal ramp was implemented which, ingeniously, exploited the presence of a pre-existing cliff. In this way, it was ensured that all visitors can fully enjoy this unique space. 

The colour temperature of the entire intervention is 3000 K, chosen to respect the needs of fauna and people and to create a relaxed environment. All lighting fixtures are equipped with DALI drivers, which allow their dimming.