The building of Base Zone Incubazul, located in the outer polygon of the Free Trade Zone of Cádiz, has been selected as a candidate for theFAD Awards for Architecture and Interior Design 2026, one of the most prestigious recognitions in the sector in Spain and Portugal. Organized byPromotion of Arts and Design, these awards, which have been held since 1958, distinguish each year the most outstanding proposals in architecture, interior design, city and landscape, and ephemeral interventions.
The project, the work of the Cádiz-based studioCarquero Architecture, has become an icon of innovation in the city thanks to its unique design based on recycled maritime containers. Conceived to house an incubator for blue economy and entrepreneurship spaces, the building represents a commitment to sustainable construction models and the promotion of economic sectors related to the responsible use of marine resources.
Inclusion in the FAD Awards represents a new endorsement for an infrastructure that has already accumulated recognitions. Recently, the Free Trade Zone of Cádiz received a mention in the New Plant category at theSánchez Esteve and Torres Clavé Awards, awarded by theCádiz Architects' Association.
Additionally, the building also appears among the nominated projects for theCSCAE 2026 Architecture Awards, where criteria such as sustainability, social and cultural impact, and design quality are evaluated. On an international level, the initiative has also been recognized by being nominated for theArchDaily's 2026 Building of the Year, a benchmark competition in the global architectural field.
Inaugurated last September, the complex has established itself as a symbol of the transformation of the industrial zone of Cádiz and as an example of how architecture can contribute to sustainable economic development. Its presence in various awards confirms the growing interest in innovative solutions that combine material reuse, efficiency, and new productive uses.
The final list of finalists for the FAD Awards will be announced between May and June, while the awards ceremony will take place on June 17 in Barcelona.
