BYCO

Byco - an exclusive soul cycle, a juice bar, a public space, a performance space, a boutique, a space for encounter- is not an icon, instead, it is an architectural exploration that negotiates with contemporary real estate forces, ideological behaviors, and construction labor abuses.

After the colossal amount of existing commercial (space) establishments, one should now examine their performance by their capacity to engage with the local context. Byco is part of ATLAS BAJIO; an ongoing research as reportage on the effects upon the built environment and social behaviors after three decades of the market economy in the Bajío region.

The project —composed of real estate devices mixed with both architecture and programming— combines three commercial establishments into a single site that introduces public, commercial, cultural, leisure and hedonistic activites with the ideal sqm to make the project attractive to investors. The chosen programs would bring different users during the span of the day, forging new connections inside the site and with the surrounding activities.

The main program is split into three volumes. The reception also operates as a bar. The main volume host cycling activities. While it’s not in use it serves as a dancing and/or screening venue. The remaining volume is a coffee shop and a boutique. The public program is articulated by a cross-sectional loop connecting all activities. It begins at the exterior “public” plaza and then is carved into the interior of the site—connecting all activities. The loop was conceived as a “selfie” corridor. Through intimacy and isolation the space instigates its users to share their experience through social media, thus taking the physical public realm into the virtual public space.

Instead of exploiting cheap labor, we decided to abuse our mass production-consumption culture. By using “cheap” materials in unconventional manners, we aim to define a contemporary atmosphere and experience, while at the same time leaving the door open to reutilize materials after the expected life of the project.