in the new fitness club designed by AMB (andrea marc buchmeier) architects, three cuts convert a rigid and introverted concrete structure into an infinite sequential space. this is shaped by tailor-made steel furniture, light cubes, and eternal reflections. by the omnipresence of the outside in the interior and the sequential perception of changing dimensions, this conversion reconsiders the fitness-club typology.

fitness and squash club by AMB provides a modern endless space for workout
the lobby by night
all images by joan guillamat

 

 

the original building was erected in the 70s as a twelve-court squash center. it consists of four floors, two of which are underground. the aim was to create a sports facility consisting of six squash courts, which remain underground, and a state-of-the-art fitness club on the main floor. the double height space of the courts stands in contrast to the 3-meter room height of the circulation area. the structure is reinforced concrete, while all the courts feature a gallery. that creates a visible spatial connection within the building.

fitness club by AMB architects provides a modern endless space for workout designboom
steel, silver coating and polycarbonate

 

 

the idea of the project was to create an endless space — therefore, a radical change of the character of the old facility was necessary: all the interior was recycled and 80 tonnes of concrete had been cut out. hereby, the individual courts were put in direct relation to each other, creating a typology that is reminiscent of an enfilade. due to the 3 meter tall and 9 meter long mirrors along the sides of the courts, this effect is multiplied almost infinitely. the mirrors also grant the visual connection to the outside, as it’s now possible to look around the corners. to enhance this aspiration of the infinity, reflections are omnipresent throughout the whole project.

fitness and squash club by AMB provides a modern endless space for workout
entrance and reception

 

 

nature, sunlight and artificial light bounce off and blend together on the natural and shiny surfaces: raw steel, sandblasted stainless steel, polycarbonate, glass, wood, and the real silver color on the ceilings and walls. the mixture of the materials creates a contrast between the surreal, the silky, the shiny and the natural. all the steel furniture, including the staircase, balustrades, ashtrays, bins, sinks, etc has been specifically designed with 5 mm steel sheets. 

fitness club by AMB architects provides a modern endless space for workout designboom
the new staircase

 

fitness and squash club by AMB provides a modern endless space for workout
the simple geometry, concrete, and silver coating combine to an abstract situation

 

fitness and squash club by AMB provides a modern endless space for workout
workout space #1

 

fitness club by AMB architects provides a modern endless space for workout designboom
workout space # 2

 

fitness and squash club by AMB provides a modern endless space for workout
the ceiling heights change from 3 meters in the lobby and circulation area to 6 meters in the workout spaces

 

fitness club by AMB architects provides a modern endless space for workout designboom
reduced materiality contrasts with the most modern machines on the market

 

fitness and squash club by AMB provides a modern endless space for workout
view of the entrance

 

fitness and squash club by AMB provides a modern endless space for workout
workout space #3

 

 

project info:

 

architects: AMB architects

program: fitness and squash club

location: switzerland

photography: joan guillamat

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: maria erman | designboom