Auditorio de Tenerife
See the full list of Unusual buildings of the week here.
The Auditorio de Tenerife (Tenerife Auditorium) is an arts venue on the seafront in the southern part of Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
It was designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava in the expressionist style, and has been celebrated as the finest late-modernist building in the Canary Islands.
The concrete building is characterised by its dramatic arch roof which sweeps up from the base to a height of 58 m and curves over the main auditorium like a crashing wave. Being supported by only two points with the narrowed tip appearing to be suspended, it was the first arch of its kind in the world.
The precast concrete ribbed roof of the main auditorium is constructed from two intersecting cone segments. An approximately 15-degree wedge is missing from the centre, providing the two segments with the appearance of a pronounced ridge.
Since it was completed in 2003, the building has become an architectural symbol of both Tenerife and the Canary Islands.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Guide to ISO 19650 for Architecture Firms (2026)
A user gives their low down.
A UK training and membership provider for mould remediation professionals.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
Independent NSI and BAFE study exploring how organisations are changing the way they buy fire safety services.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.




















Comments
I first saw this on a "How did they build that" programme on the Smithsonian channel and was excited to see it "in person" when we docked at Santa Cruz de Tenerife - amazing building!