The Holy Redeemer Church and Community Centre of Las Chumberas in Tenerife, Spain, has been named the 2025 World Building of the Year at the prestigious World Architecture Festival. Designed by architect Fernando Menis, this striking concrete structure stands out not just for its raw, minimalist aesthetic, but for its remarkable grassroots funding model and community-centered approach to design.
Located on the outskirts of La Laguna in a neighborhood largely overlooked by urban development, the project represents a unique collaboration between architect and community. The entire building was funded through small donations from local parishioners, with no corporate sponsorship or government grants. This stop-and-start flow of funding directly influenced the construction timeline and ultimately shaped the building's distinctive design, creating four independent volumes that were built in phases over time.
The unconventional funding approach resulted in an equally unconventional architectural solution. Each of the four volumes stands as its own sculptural element while working together as a cohesive whole. The complex includes not only the church itself but also a community center and public square, creating a multifunctional space that serves various neighborhood needs throughout the day and week. This phased construction method, born out of financial necessity, became a defining characteristic of the project's architectural identity.
Menis embraced a boldly minimalist aesthetic, utilizing exposed concrete that feels both primal and organic. The texture is deliberately rugged and unpolished, giving the structure an earthy quality rarely seen in contemporary religious architecture. Rather than hiding behind decorative facades, the raw concrete becomes the primary design statement. The material's surface captures and reflects light throughout the day, creating constantly shifting patterns of shadows and highlights that ensure the building never looks exactly the same twice.
Inside, the spaces maintain the same honest, unadorned approach that defines the exterior. Natural light filters through carefully positioned openings, creating moments of quiet contemplation without resorting to theatrical effects. The interiors feel both grounded and peaceful, achieving the spiritual atmosphere appropriate for religious use while remaining thoroughly contemporary and accessible to the broader community.
The project's victory at the World Architecture Festival is particularly significant given the competition it faced. The Holy Redeemer Church beat out hundreds of other projects from around the globe, earning recognition alongside previous winners that have redefined modern architectural excellence. What sets this building apart from many award-winning designs is its rejection of flashy curves, high-tech materials, or Instagram-ready aesthetics in favor of concrete, light, and thoughtful spatial planning.
The judges' decision reflects a growing appreciation for architecture that prioritizes authenticity over spectacle. In an era when buildings often seem designed primarily for social media impact, the Holy Redeemer Church succeeds by being genuine and unpretentious. The project demonstrates that great architecture doesn't require showing off technical prowess or following trends, but rather responding to real community needs with thoughtful, appropriate solutions.
The grassroots funding model sets an important precedent for community-driven architecture. At a time when many high-profile architectural projects serve wealthy clients or corporate interests, this building exists specifically because a community pooled its limited resources to create something for everyone. This financing approach resulted in a structure that truly reflects the values and needs of the people it serves, rather than external stakeholders or investors.
For professionals interested in the intersection of design and social impact, the project offers valuable lessons about working within constraints. The limited budget and irregular funding schedule, rather than hindering creativity, actually sparked more innovative and meaningful solutions than unlimited resources might have provided. The building proves that financial limitations can become catalysts for architectural innovation when approached with creativity and community engagement.
The Holy Redeemer Church and Community Centre of Las Chumberas ultimately demonstrates that the most impactful buildings don't necessarily make the loudest statements. Sometimes the most powerful architecture simply needs to be honest about its purpose and transparent about whom it serves. By embracing these principles, Fernando Menis has created a building that not only serves its immediate community but also challenges broader assumptions about what award-winning design should look like and how it should come to be.
