The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stressed the importance of the House of Volcanoes as another investment carried out by the Regional Government that "enhances the dissemination of the geological heritage of the Azores and all their biodiversity, "based on scientific criteria adapted to preservation tourism."
 
Marta Guerreiro spoke at the ceremony of laying the first stone of the House of Volcanoes, a project developed by SAMI-Arquitetos and with contents by Aula do Risco. The Government awarded the contract work to the company Marques S.A., with a completion period of 15 months, representing a global investment of € 2,140,500.
 
"The House of Volcanoes will have an idealised permanent exhibition, based on a set of modules that tell the history of the volcanoes of the Azores and the World," stressed the Secretary for the Environment.
 
The Regional Secretary mentioned the Sensory Capsule, “a geodetic dome representing a vehicle designed to make imaginary voyages to the centre of Earth that will display videos on the power of volcanoes." She also mentioned the Earthquake Simulator, which "simulates, with great accuracy, earthquakes that already occurred; the experience will be accompanied by images and sounds of these events.
 
"There will be also an educational area, designated as the Corner of Volcanoes. It will be not only an interpretation centre for tourists and the public in general, but also a space of knowledge and learning for youngsters. The educational area intends to develop specific cognitive practices and includes a drawing, modelling and 3D printing workshop," said Marta Guerreiro.
 
According to the government official, "the intervention promotes the recovery of the building heritage in Lajido de Santa Luzia as the centre will be built from the ruins of two traditional warehouses owned by the Region." With regard to scientific contents, "there should be a strong relation with research teams, namely those from the University of the Azores, but also permanent relations with national and international counterparts in order promote the exchange of exhibitions and other initiatives as well as the shared sponsorship of projects of common interest.
 
The House of Volcanoes will be located at the heart of the Protected Landscape of Pico Island Vineyard Culture, classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. Its location demonstrates the proximity of the new space to the headquarters of Pico Natural Park and Pico Vineyard Culture Interpretation Centre, representing "a significant expansion of the areas that already exist at Lajido de Santa Luzia Centre," stressed Marta Guerreiro.
 
In her speech, the Regional Secretary also pointed out that the network of 27 interpretation centres has registered a gradual demand from year to year, with 400 thousand visitors in 2016. This represents a growth of 12.8% in the number of visitors and 14.4% in revenue as of August 2017, compared to the same period last year.