Architecture
Magma Arts & Congress centre
August 2007: in review
Inspired by the local volcanic landscape and the hot Tenerife weather, and situated on the island’s super-touristic, busy southern coast, the Magma Art and Congress Centre proves to be a true representation of its name, a constellation of powerful, yet fluid and sculptural volumes.
Designed by architectural trio Fernando Martin Menis, Felipe Artengo Rufino and José Maria Rodriguez Pastrana, the project was completed in 2005 and inaugurated later in the year by Spain’s King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia themselves. Tenerife-born main project architect Fernando Menis - today heading his own architecture firm, Menis Arquitectos, with offices in both Santa Cruz and Valencia - adds proudly: “The semi-desert landscape around it and the presence of the sea are the starting points of the concept. Though not situated directly on the water, it does have a strong relation with the ocean, an imposing presence that frames the building with a constant view of La Gomera Island.”
The large structure features local volcanic stone, however it is almost entirely made out of concrete; cast concrete, concrete blocks, concrete tiles used cleverly back side facing out, and rough concrete worked on site by local craftsmen. The irregular forms’ composition was in fact generated from thirteen initial geometrical blocks, which developed into the final form through models and hands-on work by Menis who supervised daily the construction. The building includes administration offices, bar, a large main hall and reception, and a flexible-size auditorium for up to 2,500 people for theatre, concerts, conferences and cultural events of all kinds.
There couldn’t be a better host for this month’s Hot Metal fashion story, than the Magma Centre. The building’s rough look and matt surfaces were an ideal match for the metallic textures and sparkly fabrics, featured flickering under the bright Tenerife sun; architecture complimenting perfectly high fashion.
Click here to view images of the Centre.
Click here to view our behind the scenes pictures from the 'Hot Metal' shoot in W*102.
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