beautell arquitectos' tenerife church is a pair of cyclopean concrete volumes

a Blend of Tradition and Modernity

For over a decade, the Alcalá neighborhood in Tenerife, Spain, lacked a dedicated space for worship after the demolition of the beloved Church of Nuestra Señora Candelaria. Recognizing the importance of this symbol of devotion and tradition, local residents, the Parish of Candelaria, the Bishopric of Tenerife, and government came together to create a new church.

Designed by Beautell Arquitectos, the new church stands at 1,100 square meters and features a unique dual-nave design. One nave reinterprets the form and location of the old hermitage, built with cyclopean concrete and natural stone, finished with a traditional lime wash. This section serves as a tangible link to the past, a space specifically designed to house the revered Virgin of Candelaria statue in its original position.

images © Flavio Dorta

inside the contemporary church by beautell arquitectos

The new church by the team at Beautell Arquitectos takes shape as a more modern volume, in dialogue with the traditional nave. This intervention, its form designed to resemble a flame reaching for the sky, is constructed from mass-stained and bush-hammered concrete. A large skylight illuminates the presbytery, the area surrounding the altar, and symbolically connects the two naves. This design element represents the bridge between tradition and modern design.

The fragmented nature of the new church reflects not only the desire to honor the past but also the need to adapt to the surrounding urban landscape. The rigid layout of the perimeter road called for a non-linear building structure. The architects prioritized simplicity throughout the construction. Natural light plays a key role in creating a serene and spiritual atmosphere. The use of raw materials like concrete and natural stone reinforces the feeling of austerity, allowing the focus to remain on the spiritual significance of the space.

after the existing church closed, the Alcalá neighborhood commissioned a new one

a collaborative effort led to the creation of the Church of Nuestra Señora Candelaria

the design incorporates two naves, one reflecting the past and one symbolizing the future

the traditional nave uses local materials and houses the Virgin of Candelaria statue

natural light and raw materials create a simple and spiritual atmosphere

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project info:

project title: Church of Nuestra Señora Candelaria in Alcalá

architecture: Beautell Arquitectos | @beautell_arquitectos

location: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

completion: © Flavio Dorta