VSHD design completes Warehouse GYM D3 located in Dubai Design District (D3), home to the region’s most growing and vibrant design community. Inspired by brutalism in architecture and underground fight clubs, VSHD was determined to refrain from using the usual materials found in most health clubs. The architects used materials—not in the lexicon of modern—like concrete bricks combined with gold-copper alloy to make it look current, while at the same time creating modes that are elegant, warm and muscular. Specifically customized LED suspended light used to conceal all the ceiling services while maintaining an overall vibrant lighting mood that can be controlled by the different exercise zones.
VSHD design situated warehouse GYM D3 within an irregular plan originally comprised of three separate retail spaces. The program includes a gym floor, juice bar, cycling studio, and circuit training factory all within a limited space of 600 square meters.
As the Warehouse Gym in D3 is located at the main entrance of the district with views from two main streets, it was essential that the design would capitalize on the view from the street to attract new members from the design-savvy community. The reception/juice bar was designed as a communal space with a 17-meter-long glass façade on the main street creating a meeting point for the design community where they can meet after their daily workout or for non-members to stop by and grab a healthy smoothie or salad while experiencing the ambiance of the gym.
The semi-transparent cube in the center of the space can be combined with the gym floor to provide a large studio accommodating a larger number of users depending on the needs of any given day. Materials used in the main gym floor and studios like the locally cured concrete bricks, gold-copper alloy and concrete flooring are very resilient to heavy use and develops an appealing patina that gives an authentic feel.
