The mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez, expressed great satisfaction with the restoration and refurbishment of the Carta Palace in the city, carried out by a team of expert professionals under the leadership of architects Fernando Arocha, Deiene González and Carlos Arocha. The project has been chosen to compete for the most prestigious award in Spanish architecture presented annually by the Higher Council of Architects of Spain (CSCAE), as announced by the city councillor.
Bermúdez recalled that “this renovation of a distinctive building, one of the earliest to be designated as protected in Santa Cruz, overcame various challenges and hurdles, both administrative and structural. It is worth highlighting how unexpected issues, such as the discovery of the building’s old cistern, were addressed, resulting in modifications to the project.” “At that juncture – he continued – work had to be halted temporarily, only to resume once a solution was devised by the project management and necessary adjustments were made, underscoring the merit of this nomination for the national award.”
Architect Fernando Arocha elaborated that “the recent refurbishment of the ground floor of the Carta Palace has enabled the public access to one of Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s most historically significant buildings”, noting that “originally constructed between 1721-1742 by the Carta family, it served as the General Captaincy of the Canary Islands in the mid-19th century, later transforming into the Civil Government”, with the edifice being designated a Site of Cultural Interest in 1947, prior to a significant renovation by the Spanish Credit Bank, which established its main office in the capital of Santa Cruz.
“This undertaking – according to Arocha – completed in 2023, entailed a meticulous examination of the historical and architectural aspects by a diverse team, aimed at restoring the property with authentic materials and reclaiming unique features and spaces within.” Arocha highlighted that “The tea and barbuzano carpentry of the main courtyard were revitalised, along with the chasnera stonework of Arico, while a concrete slab and skylight in the secondary patio, both added in the 1950s, were removed, reclaiming the essence of an open-air Canarian courtyard.”
The essential contributions of the team, which included Carlos Arocha, Daniel Fernández, Sinesio Domínguez, Carmelo González-Chávez, Leopoldo Mansito, Diego Gómez, DeCom, Aquilino Dorta, along with historian Dácil Perdigón; lighting expert Jose Ramón Fragoso; archaeologists Javier Soler and Gema Pérez; restoration specialists Alba Fuentes, Alicia Sacramento, and María J. Mallart; photographer Flavio Dorta; and the construction companies UTE Víctor Rodríguez + VVO Construcciones, responsible for the execution, were crucial to the success of the project.
Furthermore, the architect noted that “the original heights of the façade openings were reinstated, and the entrance hall was revamped with an original concealed accessibility system beneath the steps, ensuring universal accessibility through the main entryway.” He concluded by stating that “this enhanced accessibility, combined with improved fire safety measures, new lighting, and incorporation of modern technologies indispensable for the Tourist Information Office, has breathed new life into one of Santa Cruz’s 18th-century gems.”
It is worth noting that the Architecture Awards, established in 2021, marked a significant departure from the recognitions granted since 1981 by the CSCAE. This revised format has facilitated greater public engagement with architecture, showcasing the sector’s contributions to enhancing living conditions, ensuring access to quality housing, designing public spaces for communal benefit, and preserving the cultural heritage and environmental sustainability of communities.
The architectural landscape in Spain, characterised by a rich tapestry of diverse cultures and regions, is vividly reflected annually through the Architecture Awards.
