Reforma en Caldas
In the Chacarita neighborhood, an old plastics factory has been reimagined as three independent units: a main residence, a carpentry workshop, and a studio apartment for rent. Each has its own direct access from the street.
The design strategy was rooted in preserving as much of the existing structure as possible while minimizing interventions. This principle became the project’s starting point. The first decisive move was carving out a central void in the portion of the factory that originally had a double height. This opening introduced light and air deep into the building, radically transforming its atmosphere. From that moment on, the programmatic layout unfolded almost naturally, guided by the decision to leave the structure untouched.
On the ground floor, the workshop opens onto the new courtyard under a translucent polycarbonate roof that filters light and frames views of vegetation, creating a welcoming workspace. Facing the street on the first floor, the studio apartment was designed as a fully independent unit, though it can also connect with the main residence. The remainder of the first floor, together with the second, accommodates the primary living spaces. These are concentrated at the upper level, where daylight is most abundant and direct access to a terrace was possible.
As with most projects that engage with preexisting structures, this renovation required a strong on-site presence. Material decisions were essential to establish a dialogue between the old and the new. On the ground floor, partitions and entrances are defined by polycarbonate panels and a simple steel-frame system, offering transparency and lightness. In contrast, the residential areas are built in masonry, providing privacy and thermal comfort.
The structural reinforcements were painted red, highlighting their role and celebrating the industrial character of the factory. The original freight elevator was also preserved, structuring circulation throughout the building.
Where once light was scarce, it now emerges as the defining feature, reshaping the way an industrial shell can be inhabited and adapted to contemporary life.
