Stories On Design // The Rise of Designer Health Studios & Gyms.

I think we are all quite aware that health industry is a massive business these days. Health, after all, is our greatest asset, and the multi-bigillion dollar health & fitness industry was built upon on this fact alone. Of course, I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know – it’s just that the industry players are simply getting better and more sophisticated with their messaging, packaging and positioning these days. Case in point is the design of cutting edge health clubs, gyms, fitness centres and other wellness interiors who are all following suit in the health industry revolution.

Boxing studios, indoor & outdoor climbing centres, yoga & pilates studios, swimming pools, meditation spaces, cycling dungeons (I call them dungeons cause that’s how they still feel to me), personal training areas – you name it, they are all lifting their game and raising the bar right up there, ridding the so-hot-right-now trend that represents a major renaissance of health and wellness interiors. In today’s highly competitive market (for every industry across the board), businesses and brands have finally recognised that catering to our mind and body alone simply isn’t enough – it’s time to engage our eyes and pander to our refined sense of aesthetic while we break a sweat. Très important, y’all.

So without further ado, welcome to our latest Story – The Rise of Designer Health Studios & Gyms. Please, don’t just stand there. It’s time to get into your activewear. And grab a dairy-free sugar-free whole-food nutrient-dense snack, organic cold-pressed juice, hand crafted macha tea and shit. Then drop and give me twenty. Thaaaat’s the spirit!

See More ‘Stories on Design’ Curated by Yellowtrace.

45 Grand Exclusive Fitness Studio in NYC by NIKE // Housed in a former metalwork shop in Lower Soho, New York, 45 Grand is NIKE’s exclusive fitness studio, event space and a NIKE+ services hub. The studio can only be accessed by prior invitation, and is usually reserved for the media and other VIP guests. The space, designed by Rafael de Cárdenas and art director Jen Brill, brings together NIKE+ running and NIKE+ training club digital services, live experiences, and expert training and coaching to serve media and other guests of the brand. Well… If my gym looked this good, maybe I’d go there more often.

Images courtesy of Coordination Asia.

NIKE Studio in Beijing, China by Coordination Asia // Coordination Asia transformed a former art gallery into a Nike Studio’s slick new training centre, opening of which coincided with 2015 World Athletic Championships in Beijing.

The project includes 1,200 square meters of immersive experiences where motifs of infinity and transparency are relayed through interactive installations and LED-lit display cases. The Studio includes two high-impact, high-energy workout labs, plus one-of-a-kind product exhibition. Pretty damn sexy if you ask me.

Photography © Nelson Garrido.

The Burrow Boxing Gym in Kuwait by Lab 100 // ‘The Burrow’ is a first commercial boxing gym to be opened in Sabhan, Kuwait. Designed by Lab 100, the upmarket and high-tech sport’s facility introduces a modern combination of boxing to the Middle Eastern region. The space is comprised of a reception, semi-private workout halls, a boxing area and an elevated cross fit area.

The materials employed were inspired by old-school boxing gyms, which usually never featured extensive decorations – the palette includes a combination of concrete blocks, subway tiles, steel, and hints of natural timber. Curved glass corners ensure a welcoming and clear route between the entrance, lockers, and main workout area.

Photography by Gareth Gardner.

REBEL Gym in London by Studio C102 // Studio C102 has completed the fit-out of the latest 1Rebel, a 800sqm luxury gym, located in the newly redeveloped Broadgate Circle, London. Studio C102 transformed the previous plant-room and storage space into a contemporary, industrial space. Inspired by the underground location, the designers balanced the darker and moody atmosphere with accents of luxury and a healthy dose of blinged-up glamour. Nice.

Photography by Jochen Splett.

Balboa Bar & Gym in Zurich by helsinkizurich // Oh My Gawd! Where was this concept in my 20s? Back then I used to frequent both Gyms and Bars with gusto, and this place has it sorted by bringing it all under one roof. Brilliant! Balboa is an urban fitness start-up in the banking district of Zurich.  The concept mixes two uses that normally would not be considered a “match”. The ground floor works as a regular fully-fledged bar, while the gym is located in the basement below. This unorthodox mix is celebrated in the architecture. Generous roughly cut openings allow for visual connections between the two floors and their partly differing clientele – and also bring natural light in to the basement. The connecting effect is amplified by lighting. Further ample uncovered windows connect the bar to the outer world. Inside, the long copper bar, wide concrete drinking fountains, a big communal table and the “mixed-zone“ downstairs (housing shared toilets) are designed as places of encounter. In other words, double you chances of “picking up”. Winner! ;)

Photography by Naho Kubota & Eric Hwang.

Peloton C in Chelsea, NYC by Bernheimer Architecture // Peloton is a start-up fitness company establishing a flagship space in the Chelsea neighbourhood of New York City. Containing a storefront retail shop, a lounge for Peloton members, a cutting-edge broadcast and participatory spinning studio, and locker room facilities, this space is the nerve centre for the company’s worldwide transmission of spin classes.

Remote users can take live or recorded classes, airing directly via the internet from the Chelsea location. The Peloton bike itself integrates a 22” multi-touch screen, providing live feedback along with a socially networked fitness experience. The space is organised around a series of architectural elements within the store, lounge, and studio that are designed to compress, conceal and act as thresholds throughout. These elements are expressed using a material palette comprised of muted natural materials that include copper, marble, whitewashed pine and blackened steel.

Images courtesy of XML.

Rocycle by XML in The Netherlands, Amsterdam // Recently delivered by XML, Rocycle is a boutique fitness studio located in the centre of Amsterdam. The flagship studio marks the introduction of ‘athleisure’ inspired fitness concepts – merging athletics with leisure – to The Netherlands.

The design features a translucent wall with changeable LED texts in the main lobby.While a unisex locker area allows for an efficient change between classes, the lobby acts as the main social space offering views to the Amsterdam canals through large windows. As part of the project, XML also designed the store-in-store of The Cold Pressed Juicery, Amsterdam’s first full organic juice dispensary. Cool, although definitely not sure about the spartan and super tight locker area. Imagine that space during rush-hour? Bad.

Photography by Samuel Lehuédé.

Lets Ride in Paris by DAS Studio // DAS-studio converted an old printing factory in the heart of the 11th arrondissement in Paris into a luxury indoor cycling studio. The original columns and residual walls breathe life into the new partitions and punctuate the white spaces of the studio. A glowing ray of copper light wash the walls, framing the old structures whilst extending the perspectives. The corridors and foyer are energised by floating inspirational mantras written in solid copper and neon light. Cast concrete sinks are complimented by the simple Oak furniture. In stark contrast to the simple white openness of the studio, the actual cycling room is a dark and intimate space, guiding you through a meditative fitness experience designed to benefit the mind, body and soul.

Photography by Earl Carter.

Yoga Studio in Melbourne by Hecker Guthrie // Up until very recently, yoga studios weren’t typically the most well-designed places, leaning more towards utility than a well-defined aesthetic. Seeking to create an oasis in the middle of Melbourne’s CBD, Vinyasa Power Yoga studio Move Yoga recruited Hecker Guthrie, who used natural materials in tones of rice and paper to turn a former warehouse into a space awash with calm. Beauty-full.

Photography by Derek Swalwell.

r.a.w. studios in Melbourne by Travis Walton // Freshly minted luxury wellness hub r.a.w. studios (acronym for ‘ready and willing’) is bringing the essence of LA to Melbourne CBD’s Little Collins Street. For the body, it boasts a 360° multi-platform space giving members access to international health experts and master instructors trained in power yoga, dance, barre, martial arts and functional training. For the mind, the studio offers meditation classes and workshops covering everything from nutrition and wellness to business, current affairs, and philosophy.

Its modern design takes Melbourne’s laneway aesthetic to the underground and injects it with luxe interior features. High concrete ceilings, natural oak timber flooring and cracked rendered walls dressed by stained glass wall dividers and floating mirrors create the ideal space for working out.

The studio concept and design was developed by hotel development enterprise Like Minded Group (LMG) in collaboration with Travis Walton Architecture & Interior Design, and brand communications company 21-19.

Images courtesy of Rob Mills.

One Hot Yoga & One Hot Pilates in Melbourne by Rob Mills // At One Hot Yoga in Melbourne’s South Yarra, clean lines, recycled materials and textured fabrics create an environment that resonates with the yoga principles of calmness and contemplation. The glass-fronted foyer offers a gathering place between classes, where visitors can replenish water bottles from the stone fountain or catch up with fellow yogis.

Here, polished concrete floors, wide timber benches and a monochromatic colour scheme dressed with Australian artwork create a luxurious setting. Moving down the hall, change rooms tucked behind heavy drapes provide a spa experience in the form of deluxe showers, organic soaps and an Ayurvedic body- and hair-care range created especially for the studio. Housed in a converted factory, both studios were designed by architect Rob Mills, who set out to produce an uplifting and healthy sanctuary for hot yoga & pilates devotees.

Images courtesy of Rob Mills.

One Hot Yoga & Pilates Sydney by Rob Mills // Following on from the success of the Melbourne studios, One Hot Yoga & Pilates Sydney is an exercise in balance. Divided over two levels, within a classic art deco building in Potts Point, the brief was to create a world-class studio environment that would set a new benchmark.

Offsetting hints of the buildings rich past, evident in the pitched roof, steel frame windows and solid proportions, a distinctly contemporary material palette of warm timber and crisp white light is accented by metallic brass details, whilst a level of craft and finesse enriches both the intimate and the communal spaces. All spaces are orientated to maximise light and a sense of space. Full height mirrors multiply the generous volumes, whilst unique design objects and artworks pop out of the meditative, calm interior. Nailed it.

Photography by Juan Cristobal Cobo.

Kamadhenu Yoga Studio in Bogota by Carolina Echevarri & Alberto Burckhardt // Kamadhenu is a private institution, conceived around the basic principles of yoga practices, demanding the architects to generate a program focused on creating a studio to fulfill the needs of yoga practitioners from Bogota, and its neighbouring towns. All profits derived from the operation of the studio are destined to finance educational programs that benefit the children from the Subachoque community.

The building was developed around the idea of creating a school that would provide yoga courses and courses in related disciplines to its users, as well as art and cooking workshops. These functionalities are able to turn the studio into a full-fledged community centre. Being a place for the practice of yoga and meditation, the interior is neutral and relaxed. Nature and environment act as the main protagonists, integrating interior spaces and landscape. Changes in natural light transform spaces further, achieving an atmosphere that is propitious for meditation practices and the individual achievement of mindfulness.

Photography by Shigeo Ogawa.

Archery Hall & Boxing Club in Tokyo by FT Architects // Two separate buildings, an archery hall and a boxing club, stand a few hundred meters apart on the grounds of Kogakuin University in west Tokyo. The formal rituals of Kyudo (Japanese archery) and the aggressive nature of boxing may appear worlds apart. However, the two built facilities surprisingly share a number of commonalities.

The University’s brief called for low-cost structures made of locally sourced timber to provide accessible and inspiring spaces for the students. Coincidently, both facilities demanded column-free spaces of 7.2m by 10.8m, a size comparable to the sacred hall in a traditional Japanese temple. In order to achieve this span, without columns and using low-cost methods of timber construction, it was necessary to come up with an innovative timber solution. Delicate lattice frame composed of slender beams-and-posts ties for the archery hall, and a bolder, stepped frame, was employed for the boxing club. Wow.

Images courtesy of act_romegialli. Photography © Marcello Mariana.

La Piscina del Roccolo: Luxury Indoor Swimming Pool by act_romegialli // ‘La Piscina del Roccolo’ designed by act_romegialli architecture studio is a luxurious indoor swimming pool set in a historic home in Italy. The concept for the project was to create a pool and bathing house that would capitalise on the views of the countryside, providing an ideal space for exercise, relaxation, and connecting with nature. The result is a humble yet gobsmackingly beautiful structure that nestles into the hilly site.

Read the full article about this project & see more images here.

Photography by Héléne Binet.

Feng Shui Swimming Pool in Paris by Mikou Studio // Rounded windows and skylights allow daylight to filter into this Parisian swimming pool by Mikou Studio. All the external walls are faced with undulating golden timber slats that recall the circular movements on the surface of water, and make reference to the circulation of energy and flows: the Feng Shui.

Photography by Daici Ano.

Illoiha Fitness Club in Tokyo by nendo // This playful ILLOIHA fitness club is located on two below-ground floors of a Tokyo building. Since the gym is spread out over two floors, nendo decided to use a studio with an unusual two-story ceiling to unify the space. To express the original brand concept of “becoming beautiful through movement”, the designers chose the theme “rock-climbing in Omotesando” and developed a design that uses the mismatch between a rugged outdoor sport and Tokyo’s fashion district to its advantage. Instead of the usual rough and outdoorsy climbing wall, nendo came up with the idea of using interior design elements like picture frames, mirrors, deer heads, bird cages and flower vases to create a challenging wall with hard-to-find holds and unusual finger grips.

“We hope that our uniquely Omotesando-style climbing wall inspires newcomers to try out the sport, and starts a new wave in fitness with style.” Genius.

Photography is by Clément Guillaume and David Romero-Uzeda.

Swimming Pool Extension in Bagneux by Dominique Coulon & associes // Located in the Paris suburb of Bagneux, the aim of the refurbishment and expansion overseen by Strasbourg studio Dominique Coulon & Associes was to increase the facilities available to the local community, while ensuring the addition ties to the original 1950s architecture.

The building’s structural framework was retained, along with two swimming pools and the adjacent bleachers. A new insulated envelope surrounding this frame was added along with a glazed curtain wall and an extension to the front of the building. Light grey concrete used for the exterior of the extension matches the surface of the 1950s structure and gives the whole building a homogenous aesthetic that enhances its overall sense of scale.

Photography by Laura Villaplana.

Active Therapy Center R3 in Barcelona by Gabriel Gomera Studio // The R3 centre is a unique place for recovery, maintenance and improvement of physical fitness intended for athletes. Located on the ground floor of a residential building, the centre is arranged within a grid of concrete pillars, which defines the planning of the interior space.

Through an economy of means, the proposal sought simple, specific and versatile solutions that addressed basic requirements, like dressing rooms, service areas, lighting and storage. At the same time, the scheme incorporates and takes full advantage of interacting with the existing elements like the exposed column structure, the outdoor trees and the open spaces with views of the sky. Air, light and colour were used in abundance, forming essential elements in the final design.

Photography by Diana Quintela.

VERTIGO Pavilion in Lisbon by Atelier JQTS // Located within a large industrial warehouse on the riverfront of Lisbon, VERTIGO is an indoor climbing centre that acts as a “transitional filter between the outer reality of the city, and the inner world of the sports”.

The structure is built from hand-cut pieces of timber finished in red, referencing the cranes and containers seen nearby, as well as Lisbon’s oldest bridge and other industrial buildings with a strong presence in the area. VERTIGO Pavilion has a rectangular floor plan measuring 12 by 5 meters over two levels. Overlapping individual timber pieces and strong ideas of repetition are the cornerstone of the design.

Photography by Jens Lindhe.

Gammel Hellerup Gymnasium in Denmark by BIG // Undulating timber roof doubles up as a hilly courtyard in the Danish high-school’s sports hall designed by the famed architecture studio BIG. BIG was asked by Gammel Hellerup high school to design a new building that could be used for sports, graduation ceremonies and social events. Rather than replacing the school’s existing courtyard, the architects decided to sink the hall five metres below the ground and create a decked surface on top. Ok, so technically this is not a health studio per se, but it’s killer and you know it, so why not include it, right?

Photography by Ed Wonsek.

Brooklyn Boulders by Arrowstreet + Chris Ryan // Brooklyn Boulders (BKB) builds and operates hybrid rock climbing and fitness facilities to foster environments where diverse groups can be brought together to forge one cohesive vibrant community. “We are a brick and mortar organisation that puts community and culture first and that is anchored by the power of physicality to stimulate innovation and creativity,” explains the organisation.

The space is raw, loud, and charged with energy. What makes it unique is not the space onto itself but the sum of its parts. There is local street art curated on the walls, music playing throughout, and people bouncing off the wall (literally).

Photography by Mikkel Frost / CEBRA.

StreetDome in Denmark by CEBRA & Glifberg Lykke // Danish architecture and design practices CEBRA and Glifberg+Lykke have designed a multi park and cultural centre for street sports on the harbour front of Haderslev in southern Denmark. StreetDome is a unique urban landscape for activity and recreation, consisting of a 4,500sqm of skate park, parkour, boulder climbing, canoe polo facilities and more.

StreetDome’s overall ambition was to set new standards for urban arenas for unorganised sports. The precinct is an open playground and social meeting place for different ages, skill levels and cultures. The project started out ten years ago as an initiative by local activist and chairman of the SkateCity association, whose vision was to create a new cultural hub that incorporates a vast area for activity and recreation. Makes me want to take up skateboarding man!

Diga di Luzzone in Switzerland – World’s Larges Artificial Climbing Wall // Ok, I know – this is totally left of filed, but hey – if you’re intro scaling walls like Spiderman and shit – you have to admit this is as cool as it gets! Located in Blenio, Switzerland, the walls of this dam have been transformed by thrill-seekers into the world’s largest artificial climbing surface. For those brave enough to scale to the top, stunning views of the Alps await. Go on, put it on your bucket list.