A church in Tenerife has just been named World Building of the Year by a panel of architects in Madrid last week.
The title came in the form of a prestigious award received at the annual World Architecture Festival in Madrid last week, featuring some of the years’ most impressive global architecture.
The Holy Redeemer Church and Community Centre of Las Chumberas in La Laguna is sat in the local neighbourhood in Tenerife and is multi-use, housing a church, a community room and public square.
The church was designed by Spanish architect Fernando Menis and is said to mirror the town’s volcanic surroundings in it’s concrete and sharp-edged form.
The panel of architects described the church “as a landmark in a fragmented built landscape”.
The structure’s design includes “massive, rough forms”, which contrasts with the “narrow cracks between structures, filled with sculptural metal and glass”. They added that this creates a “minimalist” and “spiritual interior”.
Besides being chosen to mirror the geographical surroundings of the town, the material was locally sourced meaning it was “inexpensive, durable and energy-efficient”.
Due to construction being funded by donations, the entire project took over 16 years to complete, with the church finished last.
The church also received recognition in the community department, winning the award in the civic and community category.
Reflecting on the award, Fernando Menis hailed the win as not only a personal achievement but also a “great gift” for the “church neighbourhood, which will now be recognised beyond Tenerife”.