Why tear it down when you can beautify? A collaboration between ArchDaily and ICEX highlights the most outstanding conversion, reuse, expansion and renovation work recently undertaken in Spain. This competition focuses on how Spanish architecture values the revitalization of historic buildings and centers and restores existing structures to promote more balanced urban development. In Spain, old villas are becoming boutique gems, and factories like Matadero in Madrid are transforming into cultural oases – a clever mix of tradition and modern flair. After all, good design isn’t built – it’s built on top of it.
The jury, made up of curators and editors from ArchDaily, evaluated the entries based on several criteria, including overall concept and creativity, originality, visionary approach and execution. Each submission was evaluated in the context of Spain's deep-rooted tradition of promoting renovation and adaptive reuse, engaging with the many layers of culture and history, and combining cultural preservation with modern functionality.
The Apartment in a Warehouse, designed by OOIIO Architecture, was selected as the winner and highlighted by the jury as a design that perfectly balances respect for industrial heritage with the needs of contemporary living. What was once a semi-industrial area of Madrid with workshops, warehouses and small factories has become an attractive residential area after significant urban renewal efforts; and this former building materials warehouse will be transformed into a residential complex with a striking character.
By retaining elements of the original structure, such as the sturdy timber framing, high ceilings and exposed pipes, while introducing clean lines, modern finishes and bright colors, OOIIO creates a harmonious dialogue between past and present. The use of vibrant colors such as yellow, blue, green and orange plays a transformative role, providing a stark contrast to the gray tones of its industrial past. The design also integrates materials such as wood, ceramic tiles and brick, offering a mix of warmth and modernity.
Like Madrid itself – steeped in history yet constantly reinvented – this clever conversion combines the raw bones of the past with a bright, modern touch. A gray warehouse, a splash of color, the right equipment and smart use of space – suddenly it's not just a building but a home, proving that even the dullest shells can shine. The project creates a narrative in which the history of the building becomes part of its charm. By preserving clues to his past life, the project builds a bridge between the past and the present. In the architects' words: “After all, a renovated space is always more interesting if it retains some clues about what it did in its previous life.”
To find out more about the competition, visit the ICEX website.