French designer Philippe Starck has created the first “inflatable” building in Montpelier, France, by cladding health and fitness club with fluourine-based EFTE to create a bubble-like façade housing health and fitness facilities over five floors.

Opening on 11th September, the Le Nuage club includes a fitness studio and gym, swimming pool, café, children’s area, hairdressers and beauty salon. Starck furniture has been used throughout the stylish and striking interior, with the exterior evoking a light, airy quality, which can change colour with use of external lighting.

“When you look at a cloud, you hardly look at anything, and yet it is nothing," said Starck, who is renowned for his furniture, product and industrial design. "Water, minerals, bacteria pollen and all that is vital is there. Translucent, bright, seemingly lighter than air. The cloud, ours, that of Montpelier, is the same water. At a minimum, a nothing, a human bubble, a little material, that energy, just the will and common action to keep life.”

Roxim, the developer, says the building was inspired by the gymnasiums developed into baths during the Greek and Roman times, which were designed to be both places for training and relaxation.

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