carquero arquitectura adapts industrial systems for reuse
Incubazul Base Area by Carquero Arquitectura takes shape inside the Zona Franca de Cádiz, Spain, as a high-tech incubator designed to trigger the transformation of one of the most entrenched industrial zones in the city. The 1,955-square-meter administrative building occupies a strategic site on C/ Gibraltar, positioning itself as an operational workplace and a catalyst for urban renewal.
The architects build directly from the industrial identity of the site. The project is structured around the reuse of shipping containers as a systemic decision. Containers become part of a broader architectural logic that treats sustainability as a holistic framework. Energy self-sufficiency, spatial efficiency, and material reuse operate together, with the building conceived as a balance between solid volumes and deliberate voids.
all images by Jesús Granada
urban acupuncture within cádiz’s zona franca, spain
The Cádiz-based team at Carquero Arquitectura frames Incubazul as a form of urban acupuncture. The building is intentionally compact yet expressive, aiming to generate social and economic synergies that extend beyond its footprint. Its role is to activate the district that surrounds it, offering a recognizable and legible presence that draws attention to the broader regeneration of the Zona Franca. The incubator becomes a connective node between emerging technological enterprises and the existing productive networks of the city.
The fragmented volumetric composition creates a sequence of interconnected spaces. A permeable facade and strategically placed openings allow daylight to enter the workspaces and support a fluid internal circulation, encouraging informal encounters.
reused shipping containers stack into a fragmented volume
Incubazul Base Area balances focus and collaboration
Incubazul Base Area addresses a central tension of contemporary work environments regarding the coexistence of concentration and interaction. Enclosed spaces prioritize acoustic control and privacy for focused tasks, while shared areas are designed for flexibility and adaptability. Collaborative workstations, meeting and training rooms, and communal zones are distributed to support varying modes of work throughout the day. A shared relaxation area, café, bicycle parking, and outward-facing views contribute to a work environment that emphasizes comfort without resorting to spectacle.
The spatial richness of the incubator lies in how its parts relate to one another. Circulation areas double as social connectors, creating a network of shared elements that foster exchange and movement. This configuration supports the development of a shared economy within the building, positioning Incubazul as a platform for talent, skills, and collaboration rather than a conventional office block.
the container-based building meets the industrial street edge while opening inward
a shaded courtyard emerges between reused containers
red-painted ground surfaces and container walls define shared work areas
a deep red passage carved through reused shipping containers frames the central courtyard
the fragmented massing allows light, air, and movement to flow through the incubator
bridges and walkways connect container volumes across multiple levels
the internal courtyard organizes circulation while bringing daylight deep into the building
elevated walkways connect container volumes and organize movement across levels
container volumes frame views across the courtyard
circulation paths double as social spaces within the incubator’s layout
reused shipping containers form flexible workspaces around a central void
project info:
name: Incubazul Base Area
architect: Carquero Arquitectura | @carquero_arquitectura
location: Cádiz, Spain
area: 1,955.33 square meters
lead architects: Carlos Quevedo Rojas, Carlos Peinado Madueño, Fernando Prieto Coronel
promoter: Delegación Especial del Estado en el Consorcio de la Zona Franca de Cádiz
collaborators: 180º Norte / Calconsa Estructuras / Abima Instalaciones
technical architects: Pardo y Asociados
construction: Manzano Obras
photographer: Jesús Granada | @jesusgranada
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