Holiday home El Ele­vador

Like a lunar land­scape, the jagged, dark vol­canic rock rises up into the sky. 15,000-year-old pahoehoe basalt flows, whose energy has come to rest for a moment in the Earth’s history. The warm wind whistles through the gaps. El Hierro is the smallest and most remote of the Canary Islands – a place of unspoilt, almost mys­tical beauty, shaped by fire and time. On the edge of its rugged cliffs, which rise steeply from the Atlantic, lies El Ele­vador, a small grey con­crete cube, barely visible amidst the bizarre for­ma­tions of lava and erosion. A remote retreat for one or two people, where land­scape, archi­tecture and self-awa­reness con­verge to create a truly special expe­rience. Even on the journey there, you leave your comfort zone behind to face the pre­sence of the ele­ments and, far removed from any dis­trac­tions, sharpen your awa­reness of the moment. El Ele­vador – the lift – is not only an extra­or­dinary piece of archi­tecture and a place for self-dis­covery, but above all a tribute to the geology, as well as the resi­lience and cul­tural identity, of the people of El Hierro.

In search of water: in the middle of the last century, the island’s inha­bi­tants carved a diz­zying path into the cliffs as part of a plan to secure a water supply. The building from which El Ele­vador emerged was part of a pumping station. A heroic, albeit unfi­nished, project that was redis­co­vered 70 years later by the pho­to­grapher and entre­preneur Alberto del Hoyo Mora and his partner Silvia Rodríguez, who, tog­ether with their friend, the architect Ale­jandro Beautell, trans­formed it into an unusual, con­tem­porary accom­mo­dation that reinter­prets not only the existing structure but also its function: where water was once drawn up, the aim today is to raise awa­reness. In keeping with this phi­lo­sophy, the archi­tecture takes a almost monastic back seat, leaving the stage to the location, light, mate­rials and time.

The archi­tec­tural inter­vention takes the existing structure as its starting point, builds upon the patina of history and cele­brates craft­smanship as poetry: the wea­thered per­fo­rated bricks and con­crete walls, marked by wind and salt, have been left untouched – a shell that pre­serves erosion not as a blemish, but as a trace. Shelter and shade are found on the terrace, which lends a new dimension and depth to the name. Whilst outside the sun blazes, the Atlantic roars and the wind sweeps round the rough, unadorned façade, inside El Ele­vador a Zen-like sanc­tuary unfolds – a shel­tered, cork-insu­lated space where the ele­ments fall silent.

Unt­reated con­crete forms the structure, tog­ether with a black-painted steel cube that hovers almost weight­lessly in the room and brings tog­ether the living spaces. Two carefully sel­ected windows thoughtfully admit light and views of the outside world, with the lower opening reve­aling the pro­ximity to the cliffs and the sea. Only from the bed does the view extend directly up to the starry sky. The same is true of the tower, the former lift shaft. Where water was once pumped upwards, the bathroom is now situated. Here, the ceiling dis­ap­pears com­pletely, and as you stand beneath the stream of water, you feel con­nected to the sky.

The interior fit­tings are limited to the essen­tials and were crafted by the island’s skilled artisans. The beauty lies not in perfect sur­faces, but in the app­re­ciation of the creative process.

Even the booking process is an act of slowing down: anyone wishing to visit El Ele­vador must write a hand­written letter explaining the purpose of their trip and wait pati­ently for a hand­written con­fir­mation by post. In this way, the enquiry itself becomes a con­scious decision. A process that, like El Ele­vador, never truly ends: an uplifting project that cele­brates the beauty of the moment and opens itself up to time.

Pho­to­graphy by Derek Pedros

What to do

Experience the moment – the silence, the whistling of the wind, the sound of the sea, the shifting shadows, the passing clouds, the lapping of the water, the traces left by the landscape, the scent of the air, the feel of the materials, the fish caught by the local fisherman, a visit to the little fishing village … Anyone wishing to immerse themselves fully in the here and now on a journey of discovery across this multifaceted island will find idyllic spots for walking, swimming, snorkelling, exploring architecture (such as the Ermita de San Juan church in La Frontera, designed by Beautell) and savouring regional cuisine.

Why we like this house

A holistic work of art that invites us to pause: architecture that does not speak, but listens – to the elements, to the island’s history, to oneself. And which teaches us that beauty lies not in perfection, but in the truth of the unfinished.

This house is great for

For people – whether on their own or as a couple – who want to step outside their comfort zone and find themselves and be fully present in the moment – whether as a digital detox, an architectural experience or a journey of self-discovery.

Sustainability

Refurbishment and repurposing of existing infrastructure to preserve the water management heritage and cultural identity of the people of El Hierro; photovoltaic system

Owner

As the founders of BeTenerife, Alberto del Hoyo and Silvia Rodríguez combine their passion for architecture and design with the heritage of the Canary Islands. Alberto, an award-winning photographer, tireless creative and descendant of a family that has lived in Tenerife since 1496, restored the Hacienda de las Cuatro Ventanas – the first in a series of high-quality accommodation options that blend tradition with contemporary design. His partner Silvia – a mother, journalist, team manager and expert in temporary architecture – brings her flair for interior design and aesthetics to the project. The result is a series of extraordinary places brimming with energy, joie de vivre and spiritual sensitivity.

Details

Availability calendar

The calendar shows the current availability of the accommodation. On days with white background the accommodation is still available. On days with dark gray background the accommodation is not available.

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