Modern Architecture: Palacio de Congresos (4 pics)

Danish architecture firm Henning Larsen was awarded first place in a competition to design a new concert and congress hall on one of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote.

Taking inspiration from the jagged landscape of the island, Palacio de Congresos is a 161,000 sq ft (15,000 sq m) crystalline-shaped structure that is designed to be as flexible as possible. Along with its striking form, the structure incorporates a number of sustainability initiatives like a “semi-intelligent” shading facade to keep the interior cool, solar panels for energy, and rainwater collection. It is due for completion in 2013.

”The building will become a cultural point of reference for Lanzarote,” explains Design Director Louis Becker of Henning Larsen Architects. “It holds the sense and feel of the island. You experience the vast nature with its mountains, volcanoes, ocean, and the high sky. The building is created for this place and this place alone.”

Tags: Henning Larsen, Modern Architecture, Palacio de Congresos

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of My Modern Metropolis to add comments!

Join My Modern Metropolis

Comment by Eugene on April 14, 2010 at 12:59am: @David -Thanks for catching that. I've made the correction.

Comment by David Davinci on April 14, 2010 at 12:42am: I know you guys (Americans) think Copenhagen is the capital of Europe and Holland is a province of Germany, but Henning Larsen is not a Dutch but a Danish firm. ;-)

Comment by stephanie on April 14, 2010 at 12:24am: I visited Tenerife; Lanzarote shouldn't be bad for a congress !

Comment by Betty Fan on April 13, 2010 at 8:54pm: That's a really neat model with the plaster and the red light beneath. And the facade looks cool!

Comment by Amy Wong on April 13, 2010 at 5:48pm: Mmm...looks interesting at night. Can't wait for the final completion.