Kalorias Clube Tejo | estúdio AMATAM

Situated in one of the most exceptional areas of Lisbon – near the former World EXPO 1998 – mainly because of the amazing surrounding landscape and the quality of urban spaces, this leisure equipment had been closed for about a year, before our intervention. With a new owner came a new vision for the interior space design and its organization.
Being a landmark building in its own context – it has a very strong exterior presence – was however lacking in personality on the inside. The interior design was standard and not very stimulating for a recreational program that should be defined as dynamic, appealing, and inciter of good vibes, according to the image of the brand Kalorias Fitness Club. Therefore our interior design intervention was in a way that explored a controlled but precise way of creating colour elements that might enhance visual experiences in the existing space. To do so and to improve the client’s awareness of the club amenities location - because the functions were disorganized inside the space structure - we designed a signage general strategy that lays down a new layer over all the existing space. At the entrance you can find a stylized map displayed at the wall and all you have to do is easily follow the lines into your destination. Each location now has its own recognizable colour, given a new identity to the different spaces and trough that creating a more energetic atmosphere. Alongside new areas were created, resulting from restructuring the existing spaces, which enabled greater transparency from inside the club, creating clearer references, in a space that was very partitioned.
These new areas are related to customer services and children occupation activities, with a distinguished and striking design. Close to the entrance was created a lounge area, as a gathering point for social interaction in the club. Attached two new commercial offices with glass facades allow visual relations between the cardio studio and the Club entry lobby. It was crucial that the commercial offices should be in the centre of the club activities, allowing new clients to feel the Club energy and rhythm. The use of cork also relates with the Club brand strategy, enhancing Portuguese virtues and values. The walls and ceiling covered with cork panels create a more intimate atmosphere and the cork lamps are from local artisans.
The holed black wall along the offices creates a unique interaction between the new children activities studio and the lounge area, allowing the parents to constantly watch them over. Some of the round shape elements are closed by an acrylic dome, allowing the kids to enter it. Inside the children studio this wall is the main attraction element, where kids can write over it as a huge blackboard. Because of the studio small dimensions a wall was covered with mirrors amplifying the depth of visual relations, and also stimulating kid’s imagination.
In the end our intervention aims to readapt the space structure to fulfil the clients needs while adding a new enthusiastic look.