Canary Islands Deploys Twin Emergency Service Hubs Designed for Maximum Safety
The Canary Islands are shaping a new standard in public safety architecture with two mirrored, technologically advanced buildings envisioned to centralize emergency, security, and citizen care services across the archipelago. These twin structures, aligned in purpose and design on both major islands, are conceived to elevate basic service delivery while showcasing cutting edge safety features and resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme events. The project aims to place Canary Islands on the map as a model of synchronized, high capability facilities for urgent response and community assistance.
The project centers on the Basic Service Buildings (ESE) designed by Fernando Menis, a Canarian architect recognized worldwide for innovative work. His firm collected international attention as the concept toured major venues, including expositions in Asia and Europe. Despite international interest, the design remains deeply rooted in Canarian context, leveraging local materials and knowledge. The plan envisions two identical facilities that share a common mission yet are located to serve adjacent populations efficiently across the archipelago. These buildings are set to house the full spectrum of emergency, health, police, and civil protection services, with telecare and data processing centers positioned at the core of operations.
In 2021 a public tender awarded the contract to Menis team, supported by European funding from React-EU and Feder, to bring the twin complex to life. The project estimates a combined cost of 79.4 million euros and a total staff of about 1,100 people, distributed across eighteen diverse infrastructures that currently operate under rental arrangements. The selected sites include the Urbis building in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Mapfre building in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which will be transformed and integrated through a long term lease strategy.
The Canary Government plans to initiate the works within a short window and targets completion in the second half of 2025. Each twin complex covers roughly 23,000 square meters and will stand four stories high with two basement levels. The design includes rooftop helipads and dedicated garden and recreation spaces, all organized to maximize energy efficiency and long term sustainability. The facilities will be backed by a robust economic model that favors in island procurement and local craftsmanship, reinforcing the regional economy while ensuring reliability under pressure.
To address environmental risk and resilience, an outer protective ring surrounds each facility, creating a buffer against potential natural threats. The curved, organic forms echo natural patterns and are intended to help the structures absorb and dissipate energy during extreme events such as strong seismic activity or meteorological disturbances. The goal is a dependable, always-operational estate that remains functional even when surrounding infrastructure faces disruption. An interdepartmental team from Social Rights, Health, Public Administrations and Security and Emergencies guides the project under ministry oversight, with overall direction provided by the leadership that governs the archipelago.
The architecture and engineering teams prioritized two independent yet complementary complexes to increase safety and resilience. They are located in Jinámar industrial estate in Telde and in La Gallega in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, each occupying ample plots with provisions for future expansion. The buildings feature four above-ground levels, two basements, and extensive space for critical operations. The design deliberately places heavy emphasis on safety and reliability, with reinforced corridors, redundant power and communications, and substantial on-site management capabilities. The aim is to deliver a robust network of 012 and 112 type emergency services, telecare, health information systems, and rapid transport coordination, supported by essential civic security entities and civil protection services.
The project embraces a forward looking concept of lookouts and real time monitoring. The facilities will host comprehensive weather and disaster response infrastructure and will be equipped with integrated security, medical transport, and law enforcement presence. Glass enclosures and interior gardens will foster a calm, supportive atmosphere for staff and visitors alike. In addition to emergency response functions, the centers will feature a Cyber Center and a Data Processing Center to support critical decision making and digital records management, positioning the complexes as hubs of information and operational readiness.
The two towers are designed to be visually cohesive yet functionally independent, ensuring continuity of service in the event of disruption to one wing. The project emphasizes the use of locally sourced materials with a focus on durability, maintainability, and cost control. Basalt-based construction and other regional materials are expected to underpin long term resilience while reducing dependency on distant supply chains. Local capacity will be leveraged so a substantial portion of construction and maintenance work remains on the islands, strengthening the regional economy and ensuring future adaptability for the facilities.
The design also incorporates advanced environmental and energy strategies. A compact yet flexible envelope, photovoltaic support, and careful thermal management are planned to attain high energy efficiency. The building envelope features thermal insulation, low-emission glazing, and deliberate shading strategies to minimize heat gain. Wind resilience is prioritized to handle gusts exceeding typical regional conditions. A dedicated acoustic design will ensure clear communications across emergency and citizen care workflows, while interior layouts support rapid interoperability and efficient use of space during high-demand periods.
In operation, the complexes will deliver core services through multiple interconnected units that support 24/7 readiness. Public safety agencies, health services, and civil protection personnel will work in unison to provide immediate responses and coordinated care. The architecture places staff well being at the core, offering transparent internal spaces and sustainable amenities that promote focus, collaboration, and resilience in stressful situations. The overarching aim is not only to safeguard life and property but also to foster trust and confidence among residents who rely on constant access to essential services.
Overall, the twin facilities represent a bold step forward for regional resilience in the Canary Islands. They embody a philosophy of shared infrastructure, local stewardship, and adaptive design that anticipates how communities might respond to both everyday needs and extraordinary events. They highlight a regional commitment to safety, sustainability, and economic vitality, while signaling to the world a new model for emergency and citizen services built to endure the tests of time and nature.