Fitness Fusion

Project Name｜FUSION FITNESS

Project Location｜Shenzhen

Design Firm｜SALONE DEL SALON

Website｜http://www.salonedelsalon.com/

Instagram：SALONE DEL SALON

Area｜385㎡

Completion Time｜July 2023

Design Team｜SALONE, Weber Zheng, Chris Song

Construction｜ROOM

Photography｜Sean

Video: https://youtu.be/ynmb2gvE3h4

INTRO

FUSION FITNESS opened a new gym in RAIL IN, a diversified commercial complex that emphasizes socializing connections and a vitality hub in the Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters Base.

For this project, SALONE DEL SALON went beyond visual aspects, but more focused on creating an impressive brand image, a distinctive space identity and an optimized user experience. In line with the Fusion Fitness’s brand philosophy - “Physical exercise is an activity of the skill which brings welfare to lives”, SALONE DEL SALON crafted a one-of-a-kind fitness destination for emerging elites in the city, which is refined fashionable, and warm.

FUSION FITNESS x SALONE DEL SALON

The constant transformation of cities,

the climate changes,

and the various challenges faced by humanity,

urge us to think about how to treat the environment we live in.

Part 01

Noah's Ark

Mythological Revelation

Noah’s Ark was a massive boat built under the God’s instructions, that spared Noah, his family and every kind of land-dependent animals from a global flood, according to the Book of Genesis of the Hebrew Bible.

Inspired by Noah’s Ark,

Salone, the founder and chief designer of SALONE DEL SALON,

portrayed a survival journey of mankind and fauna by taking the Fusion Fitness gym as the canvas.

With a beautiful vision, the space dialogues with the world, and conveys the new meaning that fitness activities bring to human health in the current context. 

Design Philosophy

Utopian inspiration maps to design aesthetics

By combining the brand’s character with functionality and aesthetics, SALONE DEL SALON took the space as a medium to reflect the essence of Noah’s Ark. Besides, the design also drew on the mythological utopia pictured in Gucci’s The Cruise 2029 Campaign, the motifs of which were also inspired by Noah’s Ark. The features of the “ark” are extracted to shape the gym space, to give it a strong visual identity.

Based on users’ perspectives and traffic analysis, the design team optimized the layout on the originally irregular plane, to offer users a comfortable, smooth and holistic experience. Meanwhile, the design caters to the demands for diverse exercise scenes, incorporates the brand’s narratives and values, and conveys the brand’s care for every customer’s personalized needs.

With a spatial narrative inspired by the mythological world in far ancient times, the design looks back at the connection between human and the nature, and the impact of climate change and global environment, whilst communicating the deep thinking and awe of natural disasters, as well as the longing for the future of humanity.

With inspirational imagination that transcends time and space, it takes people back to the vast, fantastic biblical world.

PART 02

The Construction of Blocks

Reshape Space Atmosphere

The curved exterior facade is elegant and unique, just like a sailboat drifting along the shore, ready to set sail.   

The posters that demonstrate the power of the brand and the flowing facade offer an unobstructed view, and meanwhile enclose a new space realm for Fusion Fitness.

Highlight

An undisturbed and people-oriented space

The front desk area is conceived as the “ticket counter” of the “ark”. With well-proportioned wainscoting and integration of metallic lines and wooden textures, this area reproduces the retro, classic image of a wooden boat, and sets a sedate, unrestrained and dynamic tone in the front zone of the gym.

Facing the front desk area is an original seating installation inspired by the masts of sailboats, providing a resting area for people waiting to board the “ship” and enriching the space with its subtle designs. 

The translucent glass partition separates the front zone into an aerobic and an anaerobic training area.

This not only enhances the space utilization rate, but also spares people doing exercise from external interference, thus creating a quiet and undisturbed ambience for concentrating on physical training. 

The ceiling’s design also follows the concept of “ark”. The “deck” and “keel” of the ship are deconstructed and recombined, hung upside down on the ceiling of the functional area and the fixed instrument area and interwoven with rich layers of lighting and colors, further extending the spatial narrative.

Besides, this design subtly eliminates the obtrusiveness brought by the existing pipelines on the ceiling, and fosters a harmonious relationship between space and users, thereby creating a comfortable and warm gym environment.

Highlight

Multi-layer lighting design enriches space atmosphere

01 Soft Lighting

The first layer of lighting is membrane ceiling lighting, which simulates daylight effects and thus generates a soft, natural light environment in the space.

02 Spotlight

The second layer of lighting is produced by the spotlights inserted between the “keels” as functional lighting, which provides enough illumination in the training area.

03 LED Strip Light

The third layer of lighting is the LED strip lights around the wall mirror and above the passageway. The striking red light color is energetic and dynamic, creating a fluid and perceivable modern vibe in the space.

PART 03

Amenity Area

Natural like the ocean

Passing through the training area, the circulation leads to the recovery & regeneration area and the fitness testing & chat area, which exude a more relaxing and private vibe compared to the energetic front zone.

Highlight

Collision of colors and textures

Understated luxury and privacy

The fun combination of brownish glass and light-toned partition add a touch of understated luxury and modernity to the space.

Looking into the internal space through the window openings at the corridor offers an experience of looking through a “ship cabin”. The circulation leading to the inside area evokes fun interaction and more possibilities.

The chat area on the opposite side extracts marine elements from the concept of “ark” and incorporates the inclusiveness of ocean. The soft blue carpet and the solid wooden textures strike a harmonious balance.

The artistic wallpapers feature rhythmic patterns that imitate weaves and ripples, showing a fusion of retro style and modern charm.

The locker rooms set at the innermost area feature a contrasting color palette of energetic red, calm blue and light gray, which generates a fashionable and unexpected artistic atmosphere.

For restrooms, the travertine wall claddings remind of the rocks that the “ark” is docked on, and evoke a scene that rolling waves crash on rocks and generate pleasing sound.

Hidden in the bustling city, the “Ark of Fusion Fitness” is like a corridor that transcends time and space in the urban jungle. The elements of boat, waves and rocks create a natural scene full of vitality. It invites urban exercise enthusiasts who yearn for new lifestyles to unleash their energy here and immerse themselves in a fantastic and surreal voyage.