‘incubadora social ITESM-bancomer’ by shine architecture, león, guanajuato, mexico all images courtesy of shine architecture

mexican practice shine architecture has recently completed ‘incubadora social ITESM-bancomer’, an entrepreneurship incubator within the city of león in guanajuato, mexico. the establishment is part of an initiative led by the tecnológico de monterrey, a private university and national bank bancomer to provide low income residents with an opportunity to receive high quality education in a virtual setting. a secondary result is to help students develop their own business with support from experts. positioned within a residential neighborhood, the existing prototypical structure was refurbished in an innovative way to break the present monotonous pattern viewing the street.

shine architecture: incubadora social ITESM bancomer integrated bench

an expressive elevation and small space for the public welcomes visitors passing by, replacing the typically private and fenced yards. comprised of wooden slats, the facade angles and folds to reveal seating and a balcony which overlooks the open plaza. oriented towards the south-east, the lattices provide aesthetic and functional qualities, allowing passive solar heating during the winter and protection from solar radiation in the summer. the project uses sustainable materials sourced from local outlets and treated in a basic manner as well as recycling of structural elements to facilitate the limited budget.

shine architecture: incubadora social ITESM bancomer upward view of awning

shine architecture: incubadora social ITESM bancomer awning detail

shine architecture: incubadora social ITESM bancomer light well

shine architecture: incubadora social ITESM bancomer (left) classroom corridor (right) classroom

shine architecture: incubadora social ITESM bancomer center within the neighborhood context

shine architecture: incubadora social ITESM bancomer floor plan / level 0

shine architecture: incubadora social ITESM bancomer floor plan / level 1

shine architecture: incubadora social ITESM bancomer elevation

shine architecture: incubadora social ITESM bancomer sections

shine architecture: incubadora social ITESM bancomer (left) front view of facade (right) side view of facade

shine architecture: incubadora social ITESM bancomer (left) top view of facade (right) perspective view of facade

shine architecture: incubadora social ITESM bancomer axonometric

shine architecture: incubadora social ITESM bancomer construction details

project info:

project: “incubadora social itesm-bancomer” social enterprenurship centre
 developed by: shine architecture typology: social-education
 year: 2011 location: leon, mexico project credits: minche mena, michael smith, ruben vazquez, jose zermeno "shine architecture" photo credits: shine architecture