The reception is marked by the visual tension created between the proposed counter and the relapse of the existing ceiling, which, although not parallel, creates a strong dynamic that serves as a motto for other areas of this club. This element served as a showcase in the old cafeteria and, due to its potential, we wanted to maintain and integrate with the image of this club, serving as the basis for the welcome message: “Welcome to the spot.”
Chromatically, the neutral colours and the concrete that was purposely exposed on the existing pillars, give this club a very urban character. To create vibrant and positive energy around this space, we felt the need to introduce a third, warmer hue, present in the various wooden elements. Occasionally and with a very graphic objective, we also have some Yellow and Black finer points.
Next to the reception is the main exercise room and lounge area. The formerly pastry’s smoking room has been transformed into a living area. The separation in black metallic structure punctuated by green elements gives privacy and freshness to this space. The former main pastry production area has been converted into an open space in which the club’s exercise room is located. This is fundamentally a versatile space to which other secondary spaces converge, but no less relevant. The differentiation of shades of grey on the vinyl floor defines the main axis of circulation.
Taking advantage of the configuration of this room, the free weights area is defined by its chromatic delimitation. This is a black space, the lighting is rougher and is placed to accentuate this separation.
Placed laterally to the main circulation, we have a triangular area in which the Spinning Studio is located. This is a room designed to provoke a unique type of experience. Through vertical bands of RGB LEDs that converge to a triangular backlit stage, inserted in a completely black space, we create an environment completely different from the whole club.
The connection between the two stores – the existing club and the expansion area – is pronounced by a portico. This is one of the most important spaces in the club. Anyone who enters this gym will have to clearly understand that they have to go through this space to go to the changing rooms. Graphically accentuating a convergence to this space, a black tunnel reinforces this idea of passage between two bodies. Leaving the renovated area behind, we enter the old club. Except for the box area and the changing rooms, the interventions are few and far between and are made to enhance the qualities inherent to the existing club. Black and white colours predominate in this area of the club. In our view, changing rooms are a fundamental part of defining the quality of a club and its image should reflect the rest of the spaces. Following this principle, a very strong identity was visually developed, working only on the contrast between the black and white colours, elegant and modern.
In the box, all the existing walls and the concrete stairway were demolished to give a greater breadth to this entire area. Due to its glass facade and its double height, we feel that this is one of the most important spaces in the club. Again, only black and white colours are used. We occasionally use the yellow colour and the exposed concrete pillars refer to the new image of the club, strongly present in the expansion area.
This is the new identity for the Village Fitness gym. An irreverent club. An urban club.
Village Fitness Portimão gym
Welcome to the spot. This is the message you find as soon as you enter the reception of the renovated Village Fitness. A young and bold space to which one is not indifferent. Be urban, be healthy and practice sports in what is intended to continue to be the best gym in Portimão.
In addition to the remodelling of the existing gym, this club has also been expanded. As soon as the opportunity arose, the club’s management did not hesitate to expand to the adjacent store, where a pastry shop was located, doubling its area. For this reason, the entire club has been restructured, with the old pastry shop hosting the new club entrance, the main exercise room, and a cycling studio. Part of the challenge was to be able to structure this club keeping the existing spaces in operation, hierarchizing the various areas in a complex geometry, and developing a clear and coherent internal circuit between the existing and the expansion area.
What we did:
- Architecture, Interiors, Furniture Design, Identity
Location:
- Portimão, Portugal
Start / Conclusion:
- April 2017 / March 2020
Client:
- GYMSPOTFITNESS Unipessoal Lda.
Cooperating teams:
- Graphic Design: PQ x design
- Electrical networks: PEFE Engenharia e Fiscalização
- Mechanical systems: PEFE Engenharia e Fiscalização
- Water and drainage networks: ConArqEng
- Fire safety systems: PEFE Engenharia e Fiscalização