El Tanque Garden in Santa Cruz de Tenerife has been awarded the Exterior Spaces category in the AHI European Awards for Intervention in Architectural Heritage.
Designed by Spanish architect Fernando Menis, this project represents the ecological restoration of a former industrial area, transforming it into the first green public space in the Cabo Llanos neighbourhood. The project has been recognised for its exceptional design and has garnered attention from architectural enthusiasts worldwide.
The AHI European Awards for Intervention in Architectural Heritage is a prestigious biennial initiative led by the Barcelona platform AHI Architectural Heritage Intervention, the Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Cataluña (Architects Association of Catalonia), Barcelona City Council, and the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. This year’s edition received a record number of entries, with 241 projects submitted by architecture firms from 28 European countries.
El Tanque Garden stands as a remarkable example of ecological restoration and urban revitalisation. The project revolves around the transformation of a former refinery tank, repurposed as a cultural space since 1997, into a thriving green oasis. The tank, listed as a protected heritage site since 2014, has been transformed into a captivating public space that harmoniously blends natural elements with industrial heritage.
The garden embraces the cultural identity of Santa Cruz de Tenerife by paying homage to the region’s agricultural past. Surrounding the tank, a lush orchard of banana trees has been planted, reminiscent of the area’s previous banana plantations. This vibrant subtropical vegetation adds beauty and biodiversity to the site, serving as a testament to the coexistence of different eras, cultures, and sensibilities that have shaped the city’s identity.
Fernando Menis, renowned for his innovative architectural designs, has seamlessly integrated ecology, sustainability, and heritage preservation into El Tanque Garden. The project showcases sensitivity on multiple scales, employing recycled industrial waste in the design of furniture and lighting fixtures. This commitment to sustainability and local identity has been widely appreciated by the jury and architectural critics alike.
The AHI European Award for Intervention in Architectural Heritage also recognised David Chipperfield for the Renovation of the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, which won the Built Heritage category. The Jury commended both projects for their exceptional contributions to architectural heritage and their positive impact on the urban fabric.
El Tanque Garden is not only a testament to the power of ecological restoration but also an example of social cohesion and reconnection with nature. The garden’s transformation of a contaminated and underused post-industrial area into a thriving green space is an inspiring model for ecologically recovering similar spaces in cities and on islands.
The Cultural Space El Tanque, which is the former refinery deposit, has been repurposed as a cultural space since 1997. The cylindrical structure, known as tank 69, once served as a crude oil refining and storage facility. Its adaptive reuse as a cultural space preserved its original appearance through minimal architectural intervention, employing recycled materials to maintain its industrial character.
El Tanque Garden has breathed new life into the Santa Cruz de Tenerife neighbourhood of Cabo Llanos. This innovative project respects the original layout and stone wall of the site while incorporating a new semi-circular plaza created from the base of a dismantled adjoining tank. The exterior of the tank and its elements have been rehabilitated and seamlessly integrated into the overall design concept, effectively blending industrial heritage with nature.
Fernando Menis’s landscape design for El Tanque Garden aims to create a highly biodiverse environment using native flora. More than 700 trees and shrubs have been planted, along with areas dedicated to aromatic plants. The majority of the trees are banana trees, a fitting tribute to the former banana plantations that once occupied the site.
In line with Menis’s commitment to sustainability and resourcefulness, the outdoor lighting and furniture in the garden have been designed using recycled materials. For instance, discarded divers’ oxygen bottles have been repurposed into unique lamps, resembling the popular Minions characters known for their love of bananas. The lamps have been carefully oriented to minimise light pollution, and the greenery is watered using recycled water, further reducing the project’s environmental impact.
El Tanque Garden has transformed a neglected post-industrial site into a vibrant public space that celebrates the cultural and natural heritage of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This project serves as an example of successful ecological restoration, demonstrating the power of architecture to create meaningful and sustainable environments.
Fernando Menis is a highly acclaimed Spanish architect with over 40 years of experience. His architectural portfolio encompasses a wide range of projects, including concert halls, auditoriums, and cultural spaces. Notable projects by Menis include the CKK Jordanki Congress & Concerts Hall in Poland and the Spree River Pool in Berlin. Menis has received numerous awards and recognition for his innovative designs, and his work has been exhibited internationally.