AA Apartments reuse open-plan commercial space in Málaga
Designed by CREARCTIVE, AA Apartments addresses the adaptive reuse of a former open-plan commercial space in Málaga, converting the premises into four independent residential units. To make full use of the building’s four-meter clear height, the interior layout works in section, utilizing a centralized service spine that frees the perimeter and accommodates a mezzanine level above.

CLERESTORIES AND GEOMETRIC OCULUS DISTRIBUTE CROSS-LIGHTING
The central core houses the compact wet and utility functions, including bathrooms, kitchen areas, walk-in closets, storage, and MEP services, enabling unimpeded air circulation and visual continuity across the entire depth of each apartment. Above this service volume, the architects at CREARCTIVE add a flexible mezzanine to serve as a multi-use loft space. A geometric oculus cut into the partition wall establishes a diagonal light connection between the mezzanine and the double-height living area, channeling light toward the rear bedroom zone. Access to the mezzanine is provided via a garnet-red metal ladder mounted onto a built-in bench.

GARNET-RED METALWORK PUNCTUATES RESIDENCES’ NEUTRAL PALETTE
Natural light enters through high-level, atelier-style clerestory windows along the facade, illuminating the interiors while maintaining street-level privacy. The material palette pairs neutral-toned flooring and white walls with a subtle tonal shift along the upper wall boundary to scale the vertical space, punctuated by garnet-red accents across the metalwork and carpentry.




the red staircase








isometric drawing
project info:
name: AA Apartments.
architect: CREARCTIVE | @crearctive
lead designers: Carlos Arias Garnelo, Rafael González García
location: Málaga, Spain
photographer: Nicolás Díaz | @nicofdiaz
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. See more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: Christina Vergopoulou | designboom
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