Architect Fernando Menis has been awarded the 2026 Canary Islands International Award, an accolade that arrives at a bittersweet moment for the professional. While he expresses happiness and excitement, he regrets not being able to share this achievement with his partner, Dulce Xerach, who recently passed away. "I miss her," Menis confessed in an interview.

Menis recounted how he learned of the news, a phone call from president Fernando Clavijo that caught him by surprise. "It caught me by surprise," he admitted, though he described the moment as "exciting." The architect, known for his ability to "think of projects to change the world," emphasized the importance of passion in his work and in bringing people together.

The interview also touched upon the personal decisions that marked his career, particularly the choice to leave Canary Islands to avoid interfering with the political career of his brother, Adán Menis, who served as President of the Canary Islands. "It was tough, but there was no other alternative," he recalled, explaining that he had to "start from scratch" in Valencia, where he explored the "international route."

It was in Valencia that, together with Dulce Xerach, they mortgaged their house to finance the auditorium project in Poland, a risky venture that positioned their brand globally during the economic crisis in Spain. "It turned out well for us," stated Menis, who stressed that his departure from the Canary Islands was not due to a lack of desire to work there, but rather the need to avoid conflicts of interest with his brother.

Despite the difficulty of returning to the Canary Islands after his brother's absence, Menis declares himself "happy" to be "home." The architect also shared his preference for surrounding himself with people who can tell him "no," valuing enriching dialogue, even though the final decision always rests with him. His vocation, born in childhood, is based on the conviction that architecture can "influence society" and improve people's quality of life.