Between architecture and landscape: light guides the route towards Peine del Viento, San Sebastián
In the year marking the centenary of architect Luis Peña Ganchegui, the Plaza del Tenis in San Sebastián is presented as the antechamber to the renowned Peine del Viento sculpture by Eduardo Chillida, establishing a threshold between city and landscape where architecture, environment and culture converge.
In this context of maximum environmental sensitivity by the sea, the lighting adopts a deliberately restrained role. It accompanies the route without altering the nocturnal perception of the surroundings, preserving the darkness of the sky and the site’s natural condition.
The intervention articulates a dual function: to accompany the promenade and to wash the steps of the Plaza del Tenis, integrating both planes into a single lighting language. This continuity builds a unified reading of the whole through a minimal formal presence.
A lighting pattern guides and directs the gaze. As one moves along, the light diminishes, increasing the spacing between Tesis in-ground luminaires —set at 3.8m— and supporting the adaptation of the human eye. The installation at 40cm above ground, conditioned by the maximum height allowed by the stone, defines a non-uniform wash aimed at constructing visual guidance towards the horizon.
DALI control, organised in three groups, introduces a gradient of intensity along the pedestrian route, progressively reducing light levels until reaching darkness at night. This sequence builds a gradual transition and reinforces the condition of the place as a threshold. It shifts the visitor from the urban realm towards a perception closer to the landscape. The sculpture, oriented to the northwest, is silhouetted by the last light of the day. The landscape emerges in darkness, backlit by the moon.
The proximity to the sea demands a rigorous technical response. The recessed Tesis in-ground luminaires, with IK11 impact resistance and IP68 protection, ensure durability in demanding environments. A total of 24 Tesis luminaires of 8.1W and 2700K, with wallwash optics and DALI control, are integrated into the wall through the selective replacement of paving stones, avoiding drilling and preserving the existing materials.
In the Plaza del Tenis, the strategy shifts to respond to a different spatial scale. Kona projectors mounted on poles, 18.8W in 2700K and DALI-controlled, are introduced, with light distributions that allow textures and volumes to be modelled, guiding the gaze towards the beginning of the main route.
Kona is highly efficient in outdoor environments. No-Rinse technology reduces the accumulation of dirt, while IP65 protection ensures dust-tight sealing and resistance to water exposure in exterior conditions.
An efficient solution that minimises maintenance, preserves resources and reduces operating costs.
