Spanish architecture practice XStudio has reimagined an abandoned bar in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, transforming it into a functional ceramics workshop and apartment. Known as House M, the project repurposes a corner building in the Arenales neighborhood, which had remained vacant for decades. The architects opted to maintain the weathered facade, but in the process reconfigure the interior space to suit contemporary needs.

The ground floor of the building, previously a bar, was converted into an open workshop for ceramics. White-painted walls characterize this area, replete with a raw aesthetic, and has been little changed from its original state so that it would highlight the timeworn appeal of this space. Above this, a new concrete volume houses a compact apartment for the workshop’s owner.

The Arenales neighborhood, located centrally in Las Palmas, has seen years of urban decline. Despite this, XStudio found beauty in its decay, with partner Ancor Suárez explaining that the area’s “humble” character and faded grandeur inspired their design approach. “Responding with humble and honest architecture was the best way to relate to the environment,” Suárez remarked.

The architectural design integrates a dialogue between the existing structure and the new addition. The apartment’s steel-framed staircase and a mint green-colored metal skeleton contrast with the aged walls of the original building, reinforcing the contrast between old and new. The interior features exposed materials, such as thermo-clay blocks and concrete, which echo the texture of the original structure.

The apartment is thoughtfully arranged, with a living area and courtyard to the west, while more private spaces, including the bedrooms, are located on the east side. XStudio’s careful attention to preserving the building’s historical footprint, while introducing honest, functional design, has created a unique space that balances respect for the past with modern innovation.