Designers of the Lifestyle Family Fitness renovation were challenged to reinvent an existing, eightyear- old, two-story warehouse as a contemporary fitness facility — on a tight budget. To create a visual connection between floors, the decision was made to sacrifice almost 3,000 square feet from the second floor to make way for a classic, skylit center atrium. A glass and steel staircase is a major circulation element, with a lounge component floating over the main space. The lounge works as a midlevel social node created by extending the main landing of the staircase 14 feet beyond the required distance.
The lower ceiling heights on the second floor suggest a soothing environment for group fitness rooms, cardiovascular fitness components and quiet workout areas. The fitness rooms are located along the exterior wall to take advantage of the natural light from newly installed exterior windows.
A barrel-vaulted ceiling that slowly reveals the atrium’s magnitude highlights the entry to the check-in area. Wide pathways lead to the first-floor elements, including a climbing wall. All major destination points are marked clearly with bright colors, patterns or texture for easy navigation. To accommodate the challenging budget, linoleum was used over the existing concrete in the high-traffic areas and walkways.
A 25-by-40-foot wall of glass at the exterior front of the building invites passersby, as well as floods the interior space with natural light.