Reinventing an industrial site

The Bio-Esfera office complex is the first parcel to be completed in Distrito La Perla, a new neighborhood that is emerging on a formerly industrial site in Guadalajara. Previously home to a Kodak manufacturing plant, the site was developed in the 1960s on what was then the urban periphery and remained isolated as the city grew around it. SOM’s master plan for the district seeks to reconnect the vast, forty-three-hectare site with its surroundings, and to reinvent it as a center for Guadalajara’s thriving technology and creative industries.

Design inspired by Guadalajara

The architecture of Bio-Esfera sets the tone for this reinvention. The design stems from an in-depth understanding of the city’s diverse architectural heritage, climate, and local traditions. The complex comprises two building blocks organized around a central courtyard evocative of traditional public plazas. It also incorporates a series of communal open spaces, including gardens, balconies, terraces, roof decks, and an open-air amphitheater. With a grand entrance adjacent to a public plaza on the eastern edge of the site, along with connections between the courtyard and pedestrian promenades, the building and its amenities are carefully integrated into the fabric of the surrounding community.

The facade is composed of precast concrete fins that filter light into the interior office spaces while reducing solar glare and heat gain. Each fin has been constructed and finished by hand, using local materials, methods, and techniques. A multi-phased approach allowed for all of the fins to be cast on-site during construction, further reducing the project’s energy and carbon footprint. Operable ventilators are incorporated into the shaded window system to passively cool the interior, while floor-to-ceiling glass optimizes daylighting and provides uninterrupted views.

Pioneering a sustainable future

Taking into account Guadalajara’s abundant summer rainfall, ample roof gardens and terraces are designed to capture rainwater for reuse and to minimize stormwater discharge. A centralized utility plant facilitates water movement and ensures the efficient operation of building systems. Future development on the site will include potable water wells and a campus-wide wastewater treatment plant that will allow the building to operate independently of the city’s infrastructure.

Once the master plan for Distrito La Perla is fully realized, this first office development will contribute to a highly livable urban district that includes housing, retail, hotels, medical facilities, and public institutions. Organized within a network of landscaped streets and richly varied open spaces, the district represents a vibrant future for Guadalajara, all while evoking its distinctive traditions and culture.