Accoya totems in the Canary Islands

In the Canary Islands, Spain, the municipal council of Agaete has installed 20 digital totems across the 8 islands of the archipelago. These unusual structures, made of steel and Accoya wood, serve both as smart weather stations for visitors to the beaches and seafronts and as cultural markers representing Canarian identity. The design of the exterior timber sections draws on the aboriginal ceramics of the indigenous peoples, with geometric motifs evoking the worship of the sun god “Magheq”. Accoya was chosen for its exceptional ability to withstand harsh coastal conditions: exposure to sun, heavy rain, salt and humidity, with no risk of rot or insect attack. Cradle to Cradle certified and non-toxic, it aligns with the sustainability goals of the project. The architects of LPA Studio designed the scheme, with Maderas Gámiz as distributor, Grupo Tragsa for construction and Profemade Canarias for the joinery.