A concrete-and-light labyrinth where a 24-hour library hides under a Herzog & de Meuron ‘street’ of shadows.
Building in Canary Islands, Spain.
Featured in Herzog & de Meuron's definitive monograph, Herzog & de Meuron: Natural History.
Visitor Guide
Go downstairs: the library is the sleeper hit; then take the slow ramps back up—this building is basically an indoor promenade.
Plaza approach late afternoon; inside, shoot the perforated light wells mid-day for crisp contrast.
Exhibition hall typically Tue–Sun 12:00–20:00 (Mon closed); the library is open 24 hours. Admission is often free or low-cost depending on program.
The building reads like a chunk of city fabric—voids and cuts are doing the work, not iconic object-making.
1–2 hrs
Design & Structure
Designed as a stacked promenade with controlled daylight: digital studies for light and circulation, executed in tough, geometric concrete work with finely tuned apertures.
Exposed concrete + glazing + perforated elements; materiality matters because shadow is the primary ornament.
Engineering is about carving big, stable voids and maintaining environmental comfort in a heavy concrete mass in a warm climate.
More by Herzog & de Meuron
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Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
De Young Museum
Parrish Art Museum
Walker Art Center
Elbphilharmonie
Cartoonmuseum Basel – Centre for Narrative Art
Nearby in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Tenerife Espacio de las Artes?+
Tenerife Espacio de las Artes was designed by Herzog & de Meuron and completed in 1995. It is located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
Where is Tenerife Espacio de las Artes located?+
Tenerife Espacio de las Artes is located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. Its coordinates are 28.4642°, -16.2514°.
When was Tenerife Espacio de las Artes built?+
Tenerife Espacio de las Artes was completed in 1995. It was designed by Herzog & de Meuron.
Can I visit Tenerife Espacio de las Artes?+
Tenerife Espacio de las Artes is a real building in Santa Cruz de Tenerife that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.