Source: Dimensional Innovations
OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS – Health House, a Kansas City area rowing studio, partnered with experiential design and technology firm, Dimensional Innovations, to develop customized digital technology to enhance the workout experience at their new location which opened December 4. The new 4,800-square-foot space was designed by architect KEM Studio.
Health House was looking for an improved solution for members to track their performance, and offer a higher level of customization. While the original rowing machines did have a basic data logger in place to show results from a user’s workout, there was no way to keep that information, provide personalized feedback, or to track long-term performance. The innovation and technology teams at Dimensional Innovations built an entirely new computer with an integrated LCD touch screen interface. The user-friendly interface will not only track user’s workouts, but it will also send an emailed summary to the user along with stats on improvements from previous workouts.
To match the new location’s aesthetic, Dimensional Innovations’ fabrication team painted the rowing machines a sleek, matte black, instead of the wood tone. Lighting was also added under the water tank that reflects the intensity of the workout during class. As the instructor leads the session, they can see at a glance who is working hard and who needs personalized encouragement based on the vibrancy of the blue lights. A light blue light slowly builds to bright blue as the stroke rate increases, a white light signifies that the stroke rate is too fast.
The interconnectivity of Health House’s classes doesn’t stop there. The rowing studio will also be home to a 58-foot by 8-foot video wall. Between classes, the video wall will show a high intensity attract loop with custom motion graphics branded for Health House. During class, the video transitions to appear as if the rowers on the machines are actually on the water through animation and computer generated images. The wall will interact with the class using information that is received live from the rowing machines. The dynamically generated water will increase speed and add waves based on the average speed of the class. As the class progresses, a leaderboard will appear with the top five rowers in the class, a way to motivate the class to either put themselves on that leaderboard or retain their place. Total distance and row time of the class will also populate the screen.
“The work that we’re doing with Health House is reflective of a larger trend to offer consumers a high quality, customized experience through technology. Often technology plays a role in pushing the overall experience to a new level, but only when used in a seamless and value-added way,” said Dave Starr, practice director at Dimensional Innovations. “Without purpose, technology just becomes another distraction from real value.”
When combined with amenities, including a lounge area, T.Loft bar, changing rooms, showers, and child care for morning classes, the new Health House will be a one-of-kind fitness experience in Kansas City.
About Dimensional Innovations
We are an experiential design firm that creates and builds immersive and interactive brand experiences. Combine a team of graphic designers and brand strategists with architects and animators, then take interior, interactive and environmental designers and connect them to a team of digital engineers, throw in an innovation lab, then bolt on a workshop where we can build just about anything and, well, you’ve got us.=
Together, we are designers, makers and innovators of world-class experiences. Visit dimin.com to learn more.
