The Mexican town of Morelia is teeming with architectural treasures. Its narrow streets are lined with 17^th and 18^th century buildings, including monumental churches and monasteries built from the region’s characteristic pink stone, which lend the urban centre its unique character. Perhaps most remarkable is how well these structures have been preserved, an effort which earned the city a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 1991. While these properties have been maintained through the years, many have remained relatively unused (which is not entirely surprising given the increasing secularity of contemporary culture, even in Mexico which has historically been predominantly Catholic). As a result, a movement has emerged to repurpose these existing buildings so that they can better meet the needs of their community. To that end, local firm FMA has converted a 17th-century convent into a new office dubbed Corporativo GO.

The first challenge was making sense of the building’s prior renovations. Once they determined which interventions had been appropriate (and which had not), the designers made some key upgrades, such as double-glazed windows that boast acoustic and thermal insulation and an energy-efficient intelligent lighting system that adjusts according to the circadian cycle.

With the building brought up to current standards, FMA set out to maximize the 1,000-square-metre footprint, creating a thriving contemporary workspace while retaining the original architectural elements. In line with recent office trends, they opted for a flexible layout, rather than a fixed traditional setup.

Entrance to the workspace is via the ground floor cloister, or central courtyard, which was repurposed as an indoor garden. Under the shade of orange trees, ample seating and tables allow employees to gather for lunch — or impromptu meetings — surrounded by a lush historic setting.  

Upstairs, the office comprises a diverse array of spaces that serve different functions. While they incorporated some group work cubicles and conference rooms, outfitted with blackboards for collaborative ideation sessions, the designers sought to incorporate zones that felt more akin to hospitality or living spaces than workspaces. Take the reception area, for instance, which doubles as a library complete with built-in storage and cozy lounge vignettes suited for quiet work or leisure time. An auditorium next door can also be used as a meeting room.

The coffee bar, however, is the true social hub of Corporativo GO. The U-shaped counter, surrounded by yellow stools and illuminated by a cluster of pendants above, creates a focal point at the centre of the room. A modular sofa defines a TV room on one side of the bar, while a ping pong table at the other end contributes to the space’s lively atmosphere, helping to foster connection among colleagues.

And if you need a break from the action? A meditation room, lined wall to wall with floor mats, offers a moment of quiet sanctuary, promoting mental and physical well-being and ultimately, a more productive workplace. Greenery was also incorporated throughout the office for its biophilic benefits, with specific species chosen for their temperature-regulating and air-purifying properties, as well as their aesthetic appeal.

While each room retains its own quirky personality (clay elements crafted by local artisans, such as lamps, planters and decorative objects, were incorporated throughout), the designers achieved cohesion with an earthy colour palette and natural and local materials. Wood furnishings and finishes add warmth throughout, while sand-coloured plaster walls offer a neutral backdrop for the rest of the design elements. But while FMA has added much character and charm to the interior, their restraint works to highlight the beauty that already existed — carefully placed lighting casts a warm glow over the convent’s original stone walls, fostering an undeniable sense of place.