Argentine architecture studio Dodds was commissioned to repurpose an old warehouse, an industrial space previously occupied by a publishing house, hidden among the urban fabric of Buenos Aires, to turn it into a small oasis in the heart of the city.

Espacio B is a project that transforms the existing space into a hybrid space for living and working, in which the treatment of natural light and ventilation is prioritized, opening the space and linking it with a landscaped patio.
Dodds Estudio located the core of server spaces on one side to free up all the space and facilitate flexible and versatile use of the program of uses. The project uses the space previously occupied by a forklift for the vertical connection, installing a new circular metal staircase that gives access to the three levels of the project.

On the upper floor are the private spaces, bedrooms or work areas connected by a double-height space. A third level was added using a prefabricated structure and new skylights were opened on the roof.

The palette of materials and colours is used intelligently, generating a neutral, friendly space that softens the continuity between spaces, accentuating spaces with some elements such as the staircase.


Espacio B by Dodds Estudio. Photograph by Federico Cairoli.


Espacio B by Dodds Estudio. Photograph by Federico Cairoli.

Project description by Dodds Estudio

Espacio B is a redevelopment project of a former industrial warehouse located in the City of Buenos Aires. This building, which once contained a publishing house, has been transformed into a hybrid space for living and working, promoting well-being and balance with the surrounding environment.

The design aims to strengthen the relationship between the interior and the exterior spaces, prioritizing the entry of natural light and ventilation into an area that previously lacked these features. Many of the walls separating the warehouse from the service courtyard were removed, dematerializing the boundary between the loft-style ground floor and the landscaped courtyard.

The service core was placed along one of the party walls, clearing up the rest of the space to admit flexible and versatile use. The original opening that housed the cargo elevator was preserved to install a new lightweight metal staircase that connects the three floors of the building.


Espacio B by Dodds Estudio. Photograph by Federico Cairoli.


Espacio B by Dodds Estudio. Photograph by Federico Cairoli.


The upper floor contains private spaces, which can function as either bedrooms or enclosed work areas, all connected through a double-height living space. The third level was added to the project building a dry construction structure, taking advantage of the original height of the warehouse. A careful intervention in the roof's truss allows circulation connecting this new space with the staircase.

To ensure comfort, the metal roof was renovated by adding two side skylights that provide natural light to the bathrooms and common areas. Thermal and waterproof insulation was applied from the outside, preserving the characteristic exposed sheet metal ceiling and the original truss structure - elements that highlight the history and spirit of the place.

The material palette aims to balance simplicity, warmth, and precision, combining elements such as concrete, stainless steel, iron, and wood. Neutral tones and mild textures soften the scale of the space, reserving the use of colour to highlight specific elements such as the staircase, railings, and furniture.

More information

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Architects
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Project team
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Sofía Botto González, Candela Cwi, Nina Dodds, Lucía Mariotto, Diego Restelli Jack.
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Collaborators
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Lighting project.- Loop.
Furniture project and materialization.- Dodds + Contuco.
Veneers and furniture.- Dodds + Estudio Hanma.
Blacksmithing.- Associated Trades.
Landscape project.- Pure Landscaping.
Stainless steel structures.- Express Design.
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Area
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Gross Built Area.- 185 m².
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Dates
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Completion Year.- 2024.
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Venue / Location
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Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Manufacturers
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El Yeite, Caos Mobiliario, Galof, Tienda Inventario, Item BA, Doma BA, Klimt, Huup, IMDI, Hidromet, Sanitarios Roca, Quadri.
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Photography
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DODDS Estudio is an emerging architecture and design studio based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, formed by Sofía Botto González, Candela Cwi, Nina Dodds, Lucía Mariotto, and Diego Restelli Jack.
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Published on: May 12, 2024
Cite: "Espacio B by Dodds Estudio. Refunctionalization of an industrial warehouse in Buenos Aires" METALOCUS. Accessed
<https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/espacio-b-dodds-estudio-refunctionalization-industrial-warehouse-buenos-aires> ISSN 1139-6415
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