Architecture and design news:
health & fitness
Soon-to-open Equinox Hotel expected to set new benchmark for wellness
by Andrew Manns | 28 Mar 2019
Lifestyle company Equinox has announced that its first short-stay hospitality venture – the long-gestating Equinox Hotel at 35 Hudson Yards – will throw open its doors in June. The innovative project, which has been making waves since it was first announced in 2016, will feature an array of health-centric offerings, such as rooms with amenities devised to increase sleep wellness, and private fitness sessions led by professional trainers and nutritionists.
First-of-its-kind medical gym set to debut at the Arts Club in London
by Andrew Manns | 20 Feb 2019
The latest venture from German wellness operator, Lanserhof, is scheduled to open in May at the Arts Club in London. Designed by Dusseldorf-based firm Ingenhoven Architects, the six-storey gym – situated opposite the club on Dover Market Street in Mayfair – will be the first facility of its kind to offer club members an MRI scan as part of its tailored training programme. Members will also have access to additional
CLAD preview: a look at the most anticipated leisure buildings of 2019
by Andrew Manns | 21 Dec 2018
As a new year approaches, CLAD brings you our list of some of the most anticipated leisure buildings expected in 2019, from museums and restaurants to spas, theatres, and resorts. Arctic Bath Designed by Scandinavian architects Bertil Harström and Johan Kauppi – Arctic Bath is set to open in the High North town of Harads, Sweden, 50km south of the Arctic Circle. The free-floating retreat, which will be situated on
Equinox opens doors on Studio Munge-designed club in Manhattan
by Andrew Manns | 19 Dec 2018
Luxury fitness and lifestyle operator Equinox has opened "E Madison Avenue" – a private fitness club designed by Studio Munge. Located in Manhattan's Upper East Side, the member's only space, which was crafted to evoke what Studio Munge have called the "distinction" of the area’s townhouses and museums, features a Pilates studio, spa, kitchen, and lounge. In a statement, the design firm said that the facility's "interiors embody a residential
A match made in heaven: Fusion to co-manage wellness resorts in Vietnam
by Andrew Manns | 12 Dec 2018
Health and wellness-focused hospitality brand Fusion has teamed up with Alba Vietnam to operate two of the company’s hotels. The resorts – Alba Wellness Hue and Thanh Tan Hot Springs Hotel – are both situated in the foothills of the Truong Son Mountains on the site of a mineral-rich natural spring which has been called a "Holy Grail". Designed by architects Romain Duval, Anh Vu, and Minh Pham, Alba Hue
Dubai firm to build the world’s largest sports mall
by Andrew Manns | 26 Nov 2018
Emirati real estate developer Viva City Developments has announced that it will supervise the creation of a record-breaking sports complex in Dubai. Dubbed "The Sports Society", the 3-storey structure will occupy 3,717 sq m of space and a feature number of leisure attractions, such as an ice-skating rink, trampoline park, martial arts dojo, bowling alley, and cricket simulator, as well as multiple climbing walls and retail shops. Other amenities in
Handel Architects design ocean club and resort at historic Asbury Park
by Andrew Manns | 19 Nov 2018
Handel Architects have released images of their latest project on the New Jersey Shore: the Asbury Ocean Club. Developed by iStar, the new mixed-development property, which will be located in the popular Asbury Park beachfront district, will rise 16 storeys and include a 54-room hotel as well as 130 residences. The estimated US$300m (€262m, £233m) complex – which will feature the interior design expertise of studios Anda Andrei and Bonetti/Kozerski
First look at University of Warwick’s heavily anticipated sports centre
by Andrew Manns | 16 Nov 2018
The University of Warwick has released an in-depth fly-through video of its soon-to-be-completed sports and wellness hub in Coventry, UK. Set to become one of the largest recreational and fitness facilities in Britain, the David Morley-designed complex will span 16,684 sq ft (1,550 sq m) and feature a 12-court sports hall and 230-station gym, as well as pools, indoor climbing walls, fitness suites, studio spaces, and outdoor sports pitches. The
Loughborough University opens doors on innovative Elite Athlete Hotel
by Andrew Manns | 15 Nov 2018
The Elite Athlete Centre and Hotel (EAC) – the first sports-centric venue of its kind in the UK – has opened at Loughborough University. Designed by David Morley Architects and developed in partnership with UK Sport, Sport England, the English Institute of Sport, and Imago Venues, the 44-room, fitness-focused hotel also includes 20 'high-altitude rooms'. These unique chambers simulate the low oxygen atmospheric conditions of transalpine mountains and accelerate the
PES-Architects scoop futuristic Turku revitalisation project
by Andrew Manns | 08 Nov 2018
Finnish studio PES-Architects have won a competition to design what’s been described as a "future-oriented" urban "archipelago" in Turku, Finland. Dubbed "Luoto" (skerry), the estimated €500m (US$571m, £435m) project will see the coastal city gain a 170,000 sq m experience centre, which will include a multipurpose sports arena, hotel, chapel, residences, and office space, as well a number of entertainment and retail facilities. The new destination, which PES says will
Welsh council to consider plans for £200m wellness and life science village
by Tom Walker | 11 Sep 2018
Work could soon begin on what has been described as one of the first developments of its kind in the world. The £200m Llanelli Wellness and Life Science Village, planned for the Carmarthenshire coast, is set to include a wellness hotel, sports and wellbeing centre, wellness spa and primary care centre. An outline planning application for the project will be assessed by mid-November, with preparatory works on site at Delta
Virgin Voyages cruise ships to ride the wellness design wave
by Luke Cloherty | 25 Jul 2018
The current trend of incorporating wellness into design shows no signs of stopping as renderings and animations from the latest Sir Richard Branson project, Virgin Voyages (a rebrand of the former Virgin Cruises), show a heavy wellness focus in its public areas. Featuring a running track, boxing ring, yoga deck, wellness pool and hydrotherapy pool, the ambitious cruise ship project is looking to change the way people think about sea
OOPEAA to create floating swimming pools and spas for coastal cities
by Luke Cloherty | 18 Jul 2018
Finnish architects OOPEAA have won a competition to design and create floating sea pools for public use in coastal cities and towns around the world, with the first to be rolled out in Oulu in the north of Finland. Following a pilot project in Helsinki in 2016, city development and investment group Töölö Urban ran the competition in April 2018 to commission a firm to design the Allas Sea Pools.
Biltmore Hotel announces ‘regal’ room and golf course redesign
by Luke Cloherty | 11 Jul 2018
The Biltmore Hotel, located at Coral Gables, near Miami, has announced that it has commissioned two architects to redesign all of its accommodations and corridors, as well as one more architect to oversee the restoration of its 18-hole golf course. D’Shakil Designs and Studio 5 Design + Architecture will undertake the work to redesign the hotel, with a brief to create a “fresh take on the hotel’s history of old-world
Manchester aims to create UK’s largest cycling network in bid to boost quality of life
by Tom Walker | 28 Jun 2018
Officials in Manchester have revealed plans to create a city-wide cycling and walking network made up of more than 1,000 miles of routes – including 75 miles of Dutch-style segregated bike lanes. The ‘Beelines’ network – named after Manchester’s civic symbol of the worker bee – will be the largest joined-up system of walking and cycling routes in the UK. Developed in partnership by the 10 Greater Manchester local authorities
Dallas Cowboys launches 'first-of-its-kind' athletic healthcare facility open to the public
by Kim Megson | 21 Jun 2018
National Football League (NFL) franchise the Dallas Cowboys has partnered with architects Perkins + Will, healthcare provider Baylor Scott & White Health and a local school district to launch a facility dedicated to community health and wellbeing. The 300,000sq ft (28,000sq m) Sports Therapy & Research complex – which opened yesterday (20 June) on the Cowboys-themed campus The Star in Frisco, Texas – is an educational opportunity for visitors as
Nike inspired by Russia's street football culture for multipurpose World Cup sports park
by Kim Megson | 14 Jun 2018
To celebrate the start of the World Cup in Russia, sports giant Nike has partnered with KOSMOS Architects to create an outdoor football court in Moscow inspired by the traditional Russian ‘korobka’ – courtyard cages for street matches. The 4,700sq m (50,600sq ft) Nike BOX Msk in Gorky Park can be used for a variety of sports and pursuits – from basketball to gym training, running and yoga – but
Maria Sharapova and Dan Meis join forces to design boutique sport and fitness facilities
by Kim Megson | 13 Apr 2018
Tennis star Maria Sharapova has joined forces with US sports architect Dan Meis to start a new design venture creating “inspirational” health, fitness, sporting and wellness facilities for the hospitality sector. Inspired, in part, by hotelier Ian Schrager’s boutique hotel revolution, the pair are already in talks to create branded experience-led training venues for hotels, resorts and sports clubs that will help budding and professional athletes reach their peak performance.
Gym designers zynk complete dramatic red health club for London's latest Intencity studio
by Kim Megson | 29 Mar 2018
Health club design specialists zynk Design have completed a third Intencity training studio for fitness firm Fusion Lifestyle, which has just opened its doors at Park Road Pools and Fitness, Haringey, London. The team were briefed by Fusion to transform an existing studio into a dedicated, multi-functional training zone designed to give users “access to a boutique fitness experience.” The Fusion brand’s distinctive red and black aesthetics have been used
Paulo Mendes da Rocha and MMBB Arquitetos transform disused São Paulo tower block into vibrant leisure destination
by Kim Megson | 28 Mar 2018
Brazilian design studio MMBB Arquitetos and legendary architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha have collaborated on the transformation of a disused tower block in central São Paulo into a vibrant leisure destination for the city. Created for Brazilian non-profit SESC, the 14-storey building, situated on Rua 24 de Maio and Rua Dom José de Barro, has been stripped of several unnecessary elements – including a bankrupt department store at its heart
Will gas stations be transformed into the health clubs of the future? Reebok partners with Gensler for 'Get Pumped' proposal
by Kim Megson | 27 Feb 2018
Global architecture and design firm Gensler have collaborated with sports giant Reebok to create a new concept transforming gas stations across the US into fitness hubs. The proposal, called Get Pumped, is a long-term vision for adaptive reuse inspired by the rising demand for electric automobiles, which will lessen the demand for gas stations. Gensler have imagined various ways in which these redundant facilities could become community spaces, “where people
Details revealed for Equinox Hotel in Chicago's West Loop
by Kim Megson | 06 Feb 2018
Chicago developer Related Midwest has revealed the first renderings of the 680ft (207m) skyscraper it is planning for the city, which will include an Equinox hotel and fitness club. Details of the 58-storey project were revealed last week at a public meeting. The tower – which will flank the Kennedy Expressway at 725 W Randolph Street – will include 165 guest rooms, a spa and 370 rental apartments. At ground
Do design and colour impact your workout? Architect Rabih Geha aims to find out with Beirut gym
by Kim Megson | 31 Jan 2018
A boutique health club exploring how lighting and design impact the effectiveness of your workout has opened in Beirut, Lebanon. Health club brand U Energy commissioned local practice Rabih Geha Architects to design the 1,200sq m (12,900sq ft) underground project as “a place to provide respite from the hectic nature of daily life” in the city. In order to encourage connection and interaction, the gym – which includes weightlifting areas,
Fitness trainer to the stars launches boutique gym in PLP Architecture's 'co-living' building
by Deven Pamben | 03 Jan 2018
Celebrity personal trainer Steve Halsall has opened a 3,500sq ft (325sq m) boutique health club in a co-living building in north-west London. Enrgym, in Old Oak, Willesden, is free to use for people living in the complex, which has been developed by property company The Collective using a 'co-living' concept described as "a new way to live". The design of the building, created by PLP Architecture, takes the form of
Head of London Sport calls for sector’s experts to influence London Plan for infrastructure
by Rob Gibson | 02 Dec 2017
Experts from the sport and physical activity sector have a major role to play in delivering the mayor’s London Plan, according to chief executive of London Sport Tove Okunniwa. The draft plan, made available for consultation yesterday (1 December) by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, was welcomed by Okunniwa, who highlighted the importance of considering 'active lives' when making improvements to the capital’s infrastructure. “The draft London Plan is a
HawkinsBrown complete timber pool facility for 'swimming among the trees'
by Kim Megson | 23 Nov 2017
Architects HawkinsBrown have completed an elegant timber pool hidden among the trees for a school in the English county of Surrey. Swimmers using the 25m, six-lane competition pool can view the surrounding woodland through a series of windows integrated into the building’s timber frame. The architects used off-site fabrication methods to create the facility for Freemen’s School in the village of Ashtead, which replaces a previous pool building destroyed by
Which is the fittest university in the UK? Warwick reveals £49m plan to claim the crown
by Rob Gibson | 20 Nov 2017
The University of Warwick is building a £49m (US$64.6m, €54.9m) sports and wellness hub in a bid to become the “most physically active higher education campus” in the UK by 2020. Set to open in 2019, the hub will include one of the largest gyms in higher education, spanning 16,684sq ft (1,550sq m), as part of the university’s mission to get “everyone active every day”. With 300 stations, it will
Details of Lake Nona’s ‘performance resort’ and spa revealed
by Jane Kitchen | 17 Nov 2017
A ‘performance resort’ and spa are coming to master-planned wellness community Lake Nona, outside of Orlando, Florida, in 2020. The Lake Nona Resort is due to break ground in 2018 and will include a 45,000sq ft spa and fitness campus with in-depth indoor and outdoor programming for all ages and levels. Designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica, the eight-storey Lake Nona Resort will be located along the southern shore of Lake Nona,
British retailer Debenhams partners with health club group to trial in-store gyms
by Deven Pamben | 26 Oct 2017
The British multinational Debenhams is partnering former Virgin Active co-founder Frank Reed to launch in-store gyms as part of the retailer’s strategy to attract more customers and a younger female base. Reed’s Sweat! gyms are set to be trialled in three stores from early 2018 under a membership model. The deal is part of the Debenhams Redesigned strategy, which involves working with strategic partners to deliver its plan of making
Equinox club opens with 270-degree harbour view
by Deven Pamben | 23 Oct 2017
Luxury leisure club operator Equinox is offering its members sweeping harbour views while they work out at its latest location in Boston, Massachusetts. Equinox Seaport, which is the brand’s 90th global club, offers a 270-degree view of Rowes Wharf, surrounding developments and the harbour. The 35,000sq ft (3,252sq m) club sits on Boston Harbour and has been designed with black granite, exposed steel, black oak and polished wooden floors. It
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"Culture is the beating heart of this project"
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
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