reused shipping containers form high-tech incubator by carquero arquitectura in spain

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

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

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 

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a yellow mesh enclosure marks the stair core and vertical circulation

exposed container doors and structural details remain visible within circulation areas

the incubator’s fragmented massing reads as a cluster of reused containers under a shared roofline

a covered outdoor corridor links workspaces while filtering light and shade

circulation galleries run along the container edges

walkways and bridges frame views across the internal courtyard

the central void brings daylight and visual connection to all levels of the incubator

the container-based incubator within cádiz’s industrial landscape

location diagram | all drawings by Carquero Arquitectura

complete morphology diagram

complete circulation diagram

complete program / use diagram

ground floor plan

first floor plan

second floor plan

third floor plan

roof floor plan

elevations

elevations

elevations

elevations

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