The Church and Community Center of the Holy Redeemer in Las Chumberas, Spain, designed by Spanish architect Fernando Menis, has been awarded World Building of the Year at the World Architecture Festival 2025, reports Archinect. Winners across all categories were announced during a gala dinner at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Located in La Laguna, the project serves as a catalyst for urban renewal in a previously overlooked neighborhood. The complex comprises a church, a community center, and a public plaza.
Funded through donations, the irregular flow of funds shaped a phased construction approach. The complex was built in four independent volumes: the first two phases, forming the heart of the project, were completed within two years and have been in use ever since, while the remaining structures were finished 16 years later.
The design draws inspiration from the volcanic landscape, reflected in massive, raw forms that contrast sharply with the surrounding buildings. Narrow gaps between the structures, filled with sculptural metal and glass, allow natural daylight to penetrate, creating a minimalist and spiritual interior.
Daylight is a key architectural element: in areas without windows, light enters through a cross-shaped skylight, emphasizing different zones as the sun moves throughout the day.
The primary material is concrete, serving multiple roles: structure, form, texture, and acoustics. The concrete is combined with volcanic stones, which absorb sound, while the mix of smooth and rough exposed surfaces achieves acoustics comparable to an opera hall. Locally produced, the concrete is durable, cost-effective, and energy-efficient.
This project highlights how architecture can merge spirituality, community, and urban revitalization, earning global recognition for its innovative design and thoughtful integration with the environment.
Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
22:21, November 13
Royal Secrets and $430,000 Pearls: The Story of a Necklace That Concealed a Family Mystery21:30, November 13
$165,000 Skull-Shaped Watch with Spinning Flowers: Takashi Murakami Makes His Haute Horlogerie Debut20:16, November 13
Billionaires Are Trying to Cheat Death: $15,000 Injections, Private Doctors and AI Systems That Manage Their Health16:34, November 13
$2 Million Per Episode: Hollywood's Biggest Stars, from Sylvester Stallone to Zendaya, Reveal Their Eye-Watering TV Salaries15:40, November 13
From the Red Carpet to an Exclusive Chanel Dinner: Robert De Niro and His Younger Partner Enjoy New York's Glamorous Nights15:20, November 13
“I Don't Have to Change My Beliefs”: Arnold Schwarzenegger Explains Why He Is Still a Republican14:39, November 13
Mystery Surrounds Death of 23-Year-Old TikTok Star: Police Launch Investigation into Brazilian Influencer's Passing14:14, November 13
“He’s Still Young and Incredibly Energetic”: Ben Stiller Praises Robert De Niro 26 Years After They First Met13:28, November 13
$2.5 Million Watch: How One Unique Serial Number Turned a Patek Philippe into the Auction's Most Coveted Treasure12:37, November 13
Billionaire Ted Turner Leaves Jane Fonda Out of His Will: Who Will Inherit the CNN Founder's $2.5 Billion Fortune?12:17, November 13
“Rich but Never Satisfied”: Michelle Obama Faces Backlash Over Her Latest Complaints11:28, November 13
Love Affairs Cost Nvidia Chief His Job: Third Alleged Mistress Linked to Jensen Huang