A Church of Tenerife has achieved recognition in Japan, receiving one of the most esteemed international accolades that commend excellence in architectural design.
The Church of the Blessed Redeemer of the Chumberas, designed by Canarian architect Fernando Mestis, has been honoured with the PEMIO TABURIENTE OF DIARIO DE AVISOS in 2016 and the ADF Design Excellence Award 2025, presented by the Aoyama Design Forum Foundation (ADF) in Japan. Established in 2020, this award spotlights extraordinary achievements in global architectural design.
The project is set to feature in an exhibition during Milan Design Week, alongside two additional award-winning works from the ADF Foundation: the Kunsttsilo Cultural Building in Norway and Maatulli College in Finland. Organised in partnership with the College of Architects of Milan and the Japanese interior design firm Garde, the exhibition will take place at the latter’s premises on Via Tortona 37, from April 8 to 13, 2025.
The jury for this fifteenth edition consisted of ten eminent professionals from the field, including Alberto Bortolotti, vice president of the College of Architects of Milan; Keat NGO, president of the Asia-Pacific Designers Association; Dawn Lim, Executive Director of the Singapore Design Council; and Sanmitra Chitte, Dean of the World University of Design and president of the Indian Designers Association.
The Church of the Blessed Redeemer of the Chumberas is the result of the dedication of the bishopric of Tenerife, along with the involvement of the parish, local parishioners, residents, and several local business owners. It was conceived to rejuvenate the area and serve as a focal point for the community, financed through donations as a testament to collective endeavour. Its striking and innovative architecture, inspired by the island’s volcanic geology, plays with natural light and features exposed concrete in various textures, as well as local volcanic stone to create a minimalist space that harmonises functionality with aesthetics, notably praised for its acoustic quality and energy efficiency.
This accolade adds to a collection of accolades received by the structure for its architectural uniqueness. Notable among these are the International Frate Sole of Sacra 2024 Architecture and the International Prize for Religious Architecture 2022, granted by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Faith & Form organisation. Furthermore, the work is included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. With this latest recognition, a modest church in the Las Chumberas district solidifies its status as an innovative design benchmark and a symbol of social commitment on the international architectural stage.
