RACBA Honours Manuel Roca Suárez, XStudio at Architecture Awards

The Royal Canarian Academy of Fine Arts of San Miguel Arcángel (RACBA) recently highlighted the importance of architecture in the Canary Islands. It did so by presenting its 2025 Annual Awards, which this year focused entirely on the field of architecture. The awards ceremony took place last Monday at the Cabildo de Tenerife, celebrating both established careers and promising new talent in the islands' architectural scene.

The Magister award, which RACBA gives annually to a highly respected figure in the archipelago for their career achievements, was presented to Manuel Roca Suárez. His granddaughter, África González Roca, also an architect, accepted the award on his behalf. She spoke about her grandfather's "constant curiosity" and "respect for places and people" as key lessons, which were evident in his long-lasting architectural works. Academician José Antonio Sosa Díaz-Saavedra added to this, describing Roca Suárez's designs as an "integration of volumes" where horizontal and vertical elements "intertwine" and complement each other. He expressed regret that Roca Suárez could not attend due to health reasons.

Meanwhile, the Excellens award, which recognizes the creative work of an emerging or young established professional, was jointly given to Ancor Suárez Suárez and Leticia Romero Hernández from XStudio. Both architects said the award encourages them to continue practicing architecture with a focus on "reality," connecting their work to "the territory, time, and people's lives." Academician María Luisa González García, when introducing their work, noted how Suárez and Romero create a "domestic architecture." This style draws on the past and previous experiences to shape the present, resulting in a body of work that subtly "integrates daily life."

The event was attended by RACBA's president, Rosario Álvarez Martínez, and the vice-president of the Island Corporation, Lope Afonso Hernández, along with other notable guests. Honoring these professionals shows the Royal Canarian Academy of Fine Arts' dedication to promoting and recognizing excellence across its different fields, with each year's awards focusing on a specific category.