The level of cultural activity in Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife, is very high. In 2002 the Tenerife Insular Council and the Canarian government decided to build an educational facility for the scenic arts. The project was placed in the neighbourhood of buildings of related cultural use, such as the Faculty of Fine Arts, the Faculty of Applied Arts, and the Music Conservatory. Soon a Centre of Cinematography will be placed next to the School of Scenic Arts, both institutions designed by gpy arquitectos. The Tenerife School of Scenic Arts has a size of 3360 m2, allowing for 80 resident students, 120 periodical attendants, and 41 teachers.
Furniture solution: In the contemporary educational facility there is an urgent need for flexibility,adaptability, creativity, and for a practical option of space-saving storing of the furniture. Every precious inch needs to be effectively utilised, and much thought is given to quality solutions as well as components of the interior decoration. In that context the selection from HOWE meets the challenge - loyally, reliably, and sturdily. The dimensions of the Simpla table, designed by John Bollen, allow for a multitude of challenging arrangements and the collection of 40/4 chairs, designed by David Rowland, is playful and beauty-inspired in a host of colours such as orange, cherry, spring-green, white, and black.
Client’s evaluation: In daily work and educational demands the flexibility and adaptability of the furniture is essential. That is due to the need for creativity and academic approach, but is as much related to the fact that the staging of the interior is a toolbox, a variety of utensils in the overall communication. Entire rooms are turned upside down within minutes. Adjustments and transformations are mandatory elements of everyday routines. The furniture must be equally flexible, as well as robust and hardy. At the same time there is a need for elegance, brilliance, and spirit, which we indeed get from the selected furniture.
Architects: GPY ARQUITECTOS