Architecture practice HW-Studio has ripped out an abandoned warehouse and it replaced with a series of all-white volumes to create this food market in a historic Mexican city.

Hw-Studio's market is located in Morelia ? a city in the central Mexican state of Michoacán, which was settled in the 1500s, and is known for its buildings made of local pink stone.

The white Morelia Market replaces a warehouse that dates back to the 16th century, when it was used as the wine cellar to an adjoining house. It had fallen into disrepair over the years, following modifications by different owners.

"The roof was covered with aluminium sheet, the quarry walls were flattened with cement and a marble, and resin floor was placed... very characteristic of the 1960s," said HW-Studio in a project description. "We thought that the place had lost its soul."
In response, the studio stripped out the cement to reveal the stone walls behind, and removed the ceiling to create an open-air space, which measures eight by 40 metres. Other existing architectural details like stone steps, arched openings and iron gates were all preserved, with the white volumes arranged in between to create a stark contrast.

"Everything antique with architectural value would be rescued, and the new would formally and materially have a different nature: a white and defined nature that would demonstrate its own presence, and its own historical and conceptual moment," said the studio.

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