Nestled within a historic private mansion in the heart of Bordeaux’s prestigious Golden Triangle, the Athletic & Bath Club (ABC) by French architecture and interior design studio Uchronia marks a departure from conventional fitness typologies, merging the heritage of French stone facades with a rhythmic, 1960s-inspired interior language.
The project represents a shift toward the “social club” model, where the rigor of physical training meets the soft textures of high-end hospitality. Rather than a sterile environment of steel and glass, the interior renovation transforms a former nightclub and travel agency into a hybrid space of nearly 500 square meters. The transition from the street into the club is mediated by a traditional carriage entrance, which acts as a threshold between the bustling city and a curated wellness retreat that prioritizes human connection and sensory warmth.
A nostalgic aesthetic framework guides the visual narrative, as Julien Sebban and his team at Uchronia draw inspiration from the refined world of 1960s polo clubs. This reference to the Ralph Lauren universe introduces a palette of deep tones and tactile materials that are rarely associated with high-performance sport. By layering classic motifs with contemporary forms, the studio creates a space that feels established yet avant-garde, encouraging members to linger long after their workout has concluded.
Materiality and comfort are front and center, defined largely by the unexpected use of custom-designed tartan carpeting. This graphic signature flows throughout the rooms, immediately softening the acoustics and establishing an atmosphere of domesticity. The choice of floor covering serves as a functional and psychological cue, signaling that the Athletic & Bath Club is a place for leisure and conversation as much as it is for sweat and movement.
Timber craftsmanship further reinforces this sense of enclosure and quality. American walnut is utilized extensively across the walls, benches, and lockers, providing a rhythmic wooden skin that anchors the club’s identity. The dark, rich grain of the walnut provides a sophisticated backdrop to the gym equipment, grounding the space in a tradition of fine cabinetry while maintaining the bold aesthetic that has become a hallmark of the Paris-based studio’s portfolio.
The social heart of the club is positioned beneath a central skylight, where an enameled lava bar serves as a communal hub. This architectural gesture ensures that natural light penetrates the deep floor plan of the mansion, reflecting off the polished surfaces and highlighting the interplay between the organic wood and the industrial glazes. The bar serves not just as a service point, but as a symbolic hearth where the “common language” of sport is translated into social interaction.
Transitional wellness zones mark a shift in the sensory experience as one moves toward the spa. Here, the warmth of walnut gives way to the coolness of mineral finishes and the structured geometry of travertine arches. Using Ceramica Appiani tiles, Uchronia has crafted a subterranean environment that feels both ancient and modern. The repetition of the arch forms creates a sense of rhythmic calm, providing a meditative contrast to the high-energy zones of the weight rooms.
Contextual impact is felt in how the project respects the shell of the Bordeaux mansion while completely reimagining its internal logic. By maintaining the stately facade and focusing the transformation on the interior volumes, the project preserves the urban fabric of the Golden Triangle while introducing a modern typology of private club that reflects changing lifestyles. It is a dialogue between the permanence of stone and the fluidity of contemporary social habits.
The creative trajectory of Uchronia continues to evolve through this project, echoing the vibrant experimentation seen in their previous works. This Bordeaux project aligns with the studio’s history of transforming commercial and leisure environments, such as the surrealist-inspired Koibird London boutique or the highly technical yet atmospheric Pantone Celadon Suite at the Mandarin Oriental. Even when dealing with high-performance environments like the Padel 15 indoor court in Paris, Sebban maintains a focus on the joyful intersection of activity and curated environment, proving that functional spaces can be deeply evocative.