Dungeness Lighthouse

The Dungeness Lighthouse, designed in 1957 and built between 1959 and 1960 by Ronald Ward and Partners in association with Trinity House, and constructed by Taylor Woodrow Construction, replaced an older lighthouse threatened by the proximity of an atomic power station. It is a visually striking structure built from 21 concrete drums, each 5 feet high, arranged around a white concrete spiral ramp housing the machine room. A specially designed crane lifted the drums into position, with high tensile steel wires running through the walls and post-tensioned using the Freyssinet system to provide strength for winds up to 80 mph. The base of the tower incorporates additional prestressing cables for enhanced stability, resulting in a more refined form than a traditional tapered design. The exterior replicates the banding of the old lighthouse, originally black and white (now all black to denote it is no longer an active aid to navigation) using coloured cement and aggregates. The tower stands 130 feet high, with a 12-foot diameter and walls just 6 inches thick. Six bands of perforations near the top house the now-defunct fog signal loudspeaker units, providing textural contrast. Inside, an elegant cantilevered spiral staircase, slightly kinked on plan, features a steel handrail and leads to a modern, miniaturised lantern with a 134,000 candlepower light and a range of 21 miles, fitted in 2000. Because no living quarters are necessary, all machinery and electronics are located within the spiral ramp at the base. Updated equipment installed in 2000 has been incorporated sympathetically, but is not considered of particular architectural significance. Costing approximately £35,000, the lighthouse was officially opened by the Duke of Gloucester on 29 June 1960.