Explore a converted chocolate factory with rustic, industrial-style interiors

By Lotte Brouwer 2020-03-11T14:19:13Z

A former 19th-century chocolate factory in the Spanish town of La Bisbal has been converted into a family home and studio apartment.

Designed by Architecture studio Anna and Eugeni Bach, the house is spread over three floors, with living spaces on each floor, giving the family privacy while still allowing them to live close together.

Named Dirk and the Chocolate Factory after its owner, the architects preserved many of the factory's original details, from the log-beam ceilings to exposed stone walls and original brick floors.

The project adapts what was initially an industrial space to a studio and housing space for a family that values the character of the original building.

The architects have preserved as much of the original warehouse as possible, from the brick floor tiles and brickwork ceiling to the exposed stone walls and metal beams.

Each floor has its own distinctive look, helping to give each floor its own look and identity. On the ground floor, metal beams support the vaulted ceiling. Arched doorways lead out to a swimming pool area.

There's also an indoor/outdoor kitchen, perfect for alfresco dining and entertaining.

There's also a modern indoor kitchen, with handleless white kitchen cabinetry offering a modern contrast to the rustic, exposed stone walls.

Wood steps blend into a brick staircase that leads up to the first floor.

On the first floor, the original wood beam ceilings, rustic brick floor and original staircase create an industrial look, toned down by the smooth white walls.

This floor is home to the bedrooms, screened off behind a white partition wall.

There's also an outdoor terrace, which can also be reached from the outdoor staircase – thus providing this floor with it's own separate entrance for privacy.

The main indoor staircase continues up to the top floor, which houses a self-contained apartment or granny flat.

Here in the loft, large wooden log beams support the ceiling and a ceramic tile roof. A large living, dining and kitchen space at this level mirrors the ground floor layout.