Colourful Warehouse Apartments

OOIIO Architecture transformed an old warehouse in Madrid’s Carabanchel neighbourhood into a colourful apartment block that reflects the changing urban environment surrounding it.

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Javier de Paz

Located near the Manzanares River in Carabanchel, Madrid, OOIIO Architecture‘s redevelopment of an old plumbing warehouse reflects the neighbourhood’s transformation from a semi-industrial area next to a highway into a thriving urban hub.

A few years ago, the city transformed the highway into a green belt by adding trees and large green spaces, such as parks, where residents could gather. This change transformed the industrial neighbourhood into an attractive area where new families wanted to settle. Over time, the factories and workshops relocated, leaving behind large vacant spaces like this warehouse.

In response to the growing demand for housing in this revitalised neighbourhood, OOIIO Architecture saw an opportunity to reinvent this warehouse and turn it into a complex of eight modern apartments.

The architecture studio incorporated vibrant colours, including yellows, blues, greens, and oranges, to replace the building’s industrial grey. Instead of removing the original warehouse pipes and structures, they were thoughtfully integrated into the design, painted in a bright yellow. This choice serves as a reminder to residents that this once-functional and grey space has a story to tell.

These new 40-square-metre apartments, crafted from a thoughtful blend of wood, brick, and glazed ceramics, combine warmth with modernity to create a sophisticated setting for contemporary living that respects the essence of the original warehouse. | ooiio.com

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