The 71-hectare Campus Biometropolis masterplan lies to the south of Mexico City, close to a cluster of hospital buildings and the research laboratories of Mexico’s national university, UNAM. Building on these connections to establish a centre of medical excellence, the project aims to attract top academics and researchers to the region, with world-class healthcare facilities. Specialist units are planned to target six key areas of medicine: cancer, cardiovascular, infectious diseases, pharmaceuticals, nutrition and geriatric medicine. The facilities for patient care, education and research are set in therapeutic natural surroundings and are combined with places to live, offices, shops, a hotel and recreational spaces to create a low carbon, mixed-use community.

Entirely car free at ground level, parking is provided beneath a raised podium. Responding to the specific climate of Mexico City and the existing urban grain, the buildings are oriented to capture prevailing winds from the north and shade pedestrian streets and courtyards. Walking distances are short and electric or bio-fuel vehicles will transport people around the campus. The scheme is designed to encourage the use of public transport and take advantage of the existing infrastructure. A Metrobus connection to the nearby university station will fully utilise the available capacity on a quieter section of the line.