Spain's volcanic landscape-inspired church named building of the year

The Holy Redeemer Church and Community Center of Las Chumberas in La Laguna, Spain, was named the World Building of the Year at the World Architecture Festival 2025 held in Miami. The award highlights the building’s role as a new landmark and catalyst for renewal in a previously fragmented and overlooked area of La Laguna. Constructed in stages over sixteen years as public donations allowed, the project comprises four volumes, with the first two forming a community center used immediately and the remaining parts completed later, resulting in a unique layout shaped by its phased development. The church’s design draws inspiration from Tenerife’s volcanic landscape, featuring large, rough concrete forms that contrast with the surroundings. Daylight is a defining architectural element, entering through narrow gaps, an unglazed cross, and overhead openings rather than traditional windows, creating a calm interior conducive to spiritual reflection. Concrete was chosen for its strength, texture, acoustic properties, and local affordability, with a special mix incorporating volcanic stones to enhance sound absorption, giving