menis arquitectos’ church on tenerife island is a cluster of monolithic stone blocks

the holy redeemer church, complete after fifteen years

 

after over fifteen years of construction, menis arquitectos unveils its holy redeemer church on tenerife island. the monolithic concrete project is realized as a necessary catalyst for the urban and social changes that were taking place in the las chumberas neighborhood. in the architect’s vision, the new building should create a place where there was none, and contribute to giving las chumberas an identity of its own, establishing itself as a reference space in a confusing urban fabric. the completed project includes a church, a community center, and a square surrounded by greenery, all creating a welcoming public gathering place.

image © patri cámpora 

 

 

the four monolithic modules by menis arquitectos

 

the holy redeemer church by menis arquitectos (see more here) takes shape as an uneven assemblage of large stone modules. these blocks, organized with an uneven rhythm, includes a community center housed in two of the four volumes which was completed in 2008. since its construction nearly fifteen years ago, the community center has been in use while the necessary funds were gradually raised to complete the remaining two modules of the church.

image © patri cámpora

 

 

a space sculpted by light

 

taking inspiration from the geology of the volcanic island, menis arquitectos’ church complex rises from the earth with its four volumes like naturally-occuring boulders. the texture of the raw stone stands in contrast with the typical residential fabric of its context. the massive forms are separated by narrow crevices enclosed by metal and glass, which invites natural daylight to enter the space. with this lighting condition in mind, the forms have been meticulously positioned to optimize sunlight penetration throughout the day.

 

as the sun rises, light enters through the cross to fill the space behind the altar like a symbolic cave. the altar, the confirmation, and the communion receive light at noon through the skylight while a shaft of light falls on the confessional later in the evening.

image © simona rota
image © simona rota
image © simona rota

image © patri cámpora