Playa de las Canteras, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Carles Díaz
Agustín Juárez and Marcos Roger
Enric Torrent
Cesáreo Tiestos and Marcos Martín
Lothar Cremer
Pierre Arnaud
Pere Valldepérez
Juan Bordes
Bet Figueras
The project began in 1984 in La Puntilla, at the opposite end of Las Canteras Beach. Opposition from the neighbors succeeded in stopping the work, which had barely begun. Eight years and several mayors later, the city council found a less conflictive yet equally attractive location, as it also faced the Atlantic Ocean. From that point on, we planned in favor of the location, drawing advantages from it for the work.
Due to its exceptional location relative to the city, the sea, and the mountains that form its backdrop, the building stands out as an individual structure, becoming a monumental landmark that gracefully crowns the long stretch of Las Canteras Beach. This way, it adopts a dual character: part fortress, protecting the beach, and part lighthouse, guiding it. The view of the Atlantic can be enjoyed from almost every area of the building and, in a spectacular way, through the large window of the main hall located behind the stage. The island's exceptional climate also allowed for an architectural approach where only the concert halls required thermal conditioning. The foyer becomes a true umbraculum.
The intervention of sculptor-architect Juan Bordes from Las Palmas was fundamental. Several beautiful pieces, both large and small, always referencing the nearby sea, were introduced into the building's exterior and interior, sometimes placed in unexpected locations.
Photographs by Rafael Vargas