Athletic Development Club / Studio VA
+ 28
- Region :
180 m²
Year:
2021
-
Main architects:
Akis Pattihis
Text description provided by the architects. The project is set in two retail units in a prominent location along a popular North London shopping street. Our client, who is a respected young personal trainer and owner of Athletic Development Club, had approached us to design their first dedicated personal training gym. The design consists of six custom-built personal training stations, locker rooms, therapy room, members bar, merchandise store and take-out cafe.
Being located along a busy main street, it was important to ensure members didn’t feel exposed or stared at while working out. We needed to strike the right balance between having a private and functional space for multiple personal training sessions while still being inviting to passers-by who might be interested in becoming a member or ordering a drink to go. The glass units in the main gym are therefore darkened for more privacy.
The “Fuel Bar” (coffee bar) is recessed into the store, creating a protected/covered entrance where customers can order their to-go coffees and protein shakes. Baristas serve customers through an openable hatch above the main bar counter. We wanted to create something striking once you enter this otherwise unassuming storefront. Members enter via the Fuel Bar and merchandise area to the main gym.
The material palette has been kept to a minimum; Wood, mirror, LED lighting Charcoal gray wooden slats run across each of the six workout stations, covering the walls and ceilings. These slats have built-in ventilation, speakers, and floor-to-ceiling LED strips. LED strips help identify the extent of each workout station, also creating a frame of light around each dedicated workout mirror. At the rear of the site there is access to staff facilities, a physiotherapy room, as well as a unisex washroom area with lockers for members, showers/changing rooms and toilets.
