Holy Redeemer Church by Fernando Menis Wins World Building of the Year 2025

Winning the World Building of the Year 2025 at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) is one of the highest honors in global architecture. The festival recognizes buildings that bring innovation, social value, and strong design quality. The Holy Redeemer Church and Community Center in Las Chumberas, designed by Spanish architect Fernando Menis, earned this award for its powerful minimalism, masterful use of light, and meaningful impact on the local community.

Located in La Laguna, Spain, the project sits in an overlooked part of the city. Menis designed not only a church but also a community center and public square, turning the site into a new social and cultural heart for the area. The development aims to bring life back to a neighborhood that had long been neglected.

Built in Phases Through Community Donations

Because the project was funded by donations, construction happened slowly and in separate stages. Menis divided the design into four independent concrete volumes, allowing each piece to be built whenever funding became available.

• The first two buildings—the central parts of the complex—were completed within two years.

• The final volumes were finished 16 years later, completing the entire vision.

This long construction process became a defining feature of the architecture itself.

Design Inspired by Volcanic Landscapes

The architect took inspiration from the volcanic terrain of the Canary Islands. The church is made of large, rough concrete forms that look almost like carved rocks. These bold shapes stand out clearly from the surrounding urban environment.

Between the concrete masses, narrow gaps filled with sculptural metal and glass allow daylight to filter inside. The result is a calm, minimalist interior that feels both heavy and spiritual.

Light as the Main Architectural Element

Inside, daylight plays the most important role. Instead of traditional windows, the building is illuminated from above through a cross-shaped opening in the roof. As the sun moves during the day, the light shifts across the interior, highlighting walls, textures, and corners in different ways. This changing light creates a quiet, reflective atmosphere that supports prayer and contemplation.

Concrete as Structure, Texture, and Acoustics

Concrete was selected for nearly every part of the project because of its strength, flexibility, and acoustic qualities.
Menis used chipped concrete mixed with volcanic stones, which helps absorb sound. Combined with both smooth and rough surfaces, the result offers acoustics similar to an opera house. The concrete was locally produced, cost-effective, durable, and energy-efficient, supporting the project’s long-term sustainability.

Voices from the Architect and the Jury

Fernando Menis expressed gratitude for the award, saying that the recognition brings honor not only to him but also to the local community in Tenerife. He also emphasized how meaningful it was to share the project with the international architecture community in Miami. Paul Finch, Program Director of the World Architecture Festival, praised the project for its intensity, its masterful use of light, and its ability to meet both symbolic and everyday needs. He noted that the building is a valuable new addition to the island’s architecture.