Commercial  ·  Interiors

THIS WUHAN GYM IS DESIGNED TO FUEL COMMUNITY. HERE’S HOW

October 5, 2023
by LAUREN GRACE MORRIS 
Photo by DIRK WEIBLEN
Location            Han Kou Bei Da Dao, Huang Pi Qu, Wu Han Shi, Hu Bei Sheng, China
Design              Lukstudio
Client               BeInfinity
Floor Area      3,500 sq-m
Combining professional sports, fitness training and recreational gathering, BeInfinity is a Wuhan, China, social club aimed at fostering connection through movement.

Key features 

Situated on the top floor of a shopping mall, the fitness venue spans 3,500 sq-m, enlarged from its original 2,400-sq-m spread with the addition of a mezzanine. Design practice Lukstudio utilized vibrant tones and geometry to create a dynamic, active space, drawing inspiration from classic video game Tetris and the psychology of colour. Each of the training areas is a framed as ‘dopamine block’, crafted to evoke a different mood. The red zone, for instance, targets strength and excitement, while the blue zone offers a more soothing experience. This strategy is reflected in the materiality, too: BeInfinity’s gradient metal ceiling changes density according to activity level and woodwork panels designate patterns on the walls. 

The atrium and breakout spaces depart from this scheme with neutral grey and wood tones. References are still made to the overarching palette and sports in store for visitors, however: in the entrance café, a green couch is covered in red stitches calling to mind those of a baseball, and a wooden stool nods to jumping boxes. Lukstudio prioritized the installing of user-friendly lighting and acoustics, to ensure an overall healthy experience.

FRAME’s take

The repositioning of the gym as a social club is a prominent emergence in the luxury sector, with fitness businesses worldwide looking at ways they can gain leverage over commonplace venues. Interiors born from this development are closely aligned with top-notch hospitality experiences, exuding a sense of exclusivity and premium service that, to members, warrants the high-ticket prices. BeInfinity presents a more accessible look at the gym as a social club. Its playful – yet sophisticated – design and mindfulness of colour psychology are a direct invitation to users to benefit from the dual wellbeing benefits of exercise and togetherness.  

This article is originally available at www.frameweb.com