This Río Blanco factory, located within the municipality of Río Blanco, was once Latin America's most significant textile production facility. Located approximately 140 km south of Xalapa, the capital city of Veracruz, this important industrial landmark occupies a total site area of ​​about 179,500 m², with over 71,000 m² of factory space. This famous industrial site ceased formal production operations in 2006 but has since remained partially open, offering a mix of limited industrial and non-industrial uses.

With so many of the existing buildings possessing tremendous historic value, we explored a range of opportunities to transform the site into various uses, thereby unlocking enormous opportunities for economic growth and cultural enhancement in the area. Based on our assessment, we developed several factors of success that will contribute to the site's success while contributing to the surrounding context.

First, the Río Blanco factory is a significant heritage asset, representing an integral component of the region's industrial and architectural history. Officially opened in 1892, the factory was one of the largest textile producers in all of Latin America, employing up to 1,000 workers at its peak. Surprisingly, the industrial complex has retained its many unique architectural features despite its tumultuous and contentious past as a place where social unrest and labour disputes contribute much to Mexico's industrial and political history.

To this day, the Rio Blanco factory boasts an impressive list of assets. Set within a striking natural landscape, the site preserves considerable historical, socio-cultural and environmental capital, necessitating the importance of undertaking a coordinated strategy to leveraging its architecture, urban design and planning opportunities for growth and enhancement in the area. Furthermore, we can unlock the site's potential as an environmentally sustainable and resilient mixed-use destination that is accessible, economically vibrant and connected to its urban context.

Fundamentally, we believe that the key to the success of this project will be the degree to which the proposed ideas address the region's unique and immediate challenges and opportunities for sustainable development. Therefore, our approach is to carefully define and map potential constraints and future opportunities early so the transformation of the Rio Blanco factory can become a reality.