Introduction
The Author of this document is xxxxx, In this document the author will be explores the history of fitness clubs, changes of the fitness industry, the growth of the industry and the ideal body also researching the concepts of a recreational centre and will analysis the problems and the solutions for it, to create a successful outcome. I plan to research the client group, the history of gyms and the population which uses gyms. In addition, I will investigate the suitability of the location for the gym, user requirements such as reception, changing facilities. I will also review the building reports in order to clarify the condition of the building and a range of case studies which will offer me more examples of fitness centres that I can compare to my design. The purpose of the case studies are primarily inspiration for my design.
History of fitness clubs – GYM
A fitness club is also called a Gym nowadays. The word Gym is short for gymnasium which is from ancient Greece. Gyms can usually be found in schools and colleges and can be in the open air or covered. In the 18th century Salzmann, a German clergyman, opened the first Gym in Thuringia and introduced new body exercises like running and swimming in the gym.
The first gymnasium that was opened in the United States was in 1825, by Doctor Beck who was a German immigrant. “Then they realised the gym pupils lose interest in doing the same exercises, partly because of age. Variety in exercises included skating, dancing, and swimming. Some gym activities can be done by 6 to 8 year olds while age 16 has been considered mature enough for boxing and horseback riding.” (Gym, 2016)
However nowadays Gyms have developed and become very high tech to fit in with 20th century lifestyle.
Changes in the Fitness Industry
In the last 20 years the fitness industry has developed non-stop in an effort to keep members interested to continue to enjoy making use of facilities. Therefore gyms have introduced a lot of new body exercises for members to do either on their own or in classes to encourage them to continue their interest in fitness. New classes include spin, Bikram Yoga, and cross fitness. These are examples of popular new classes members can choose from. However, gyms have also kept actifitnesvities including bodybuilding which includes heavy weight training. If members want to be more specific and get better faster results they can also request the assistance of a personal trainer. A Personal Trainer (PT) provides members with the best training and helps to keep their motivation to achieve goals. To do this the PT will make a bespoke workout program and discuss nutrition while taking into account the member’s lifestyle
Gyms that introduce new ways of exercising and have up-to-date equipment with flexible areas that can be used for different classes encourage members to attend regularly. This use of space allows members to move around happily and safely.
The growth of the Fitness Industry
According to the research, in 2013 the fitness industry in the United Kingdom increased by 12.6%. This was the increase in people who signed up for a health club or gym membership. In 2012 there was only a 0.5% increase. Therefore the percentage of the population taking part in the fitness industry seems to be getting higher. And the reason for that are because I have seen in real experience the fitness club has been opening none stop in the Glasgow city in 2015 like the gym that I goes to has been opened two or more new clubs in the same city.
“I remember attending a business networking event only 5 years ago where I explained that I delivered personal training sessions at the client’s home and was met with comments like “I didn’t know you could do that” and “how is that possible?” Now of course, ‘gym free’ training is an increasingly appealing alternative to the traditional exercise environment. Over recent years the popularity of home training, outdoor boot camps and PT sessions in parks has grown significantly, and it’s likely to continue as people seek to escape the confines of buildings and artificial light in their leisure time. It also suggests the minimal growth rate in memberships isn’t a true reflection of the public’s engagement with fitness training.” (Training, 2016)
“The fitness industry is still growing. Coupled with the rising number of mobile trainers and boot camps/outdoor fitness companies, it’s easy to see how the overall health and fitness industry has grown to £3.92 billion in 2013. With so many options now available as a fitness professional, there’s never been a better time to forge a career in such a rewarding sector. Despite another year of economic slowdown the fitness industry is continuing to stand strong with both private and public fitness sectors showing record numbers of members, fitness facilities and total market value with the UK penetration rate hitting an all-time high of 12.6%”. (Training, 2016)
The reason why men and women go to the gym is because they want to be healthier and to allow them to achieve their ideal body shape. In my opinion although the numbers of people that have signed up for gyms or fitness clubs has risen, this does not mean they will continues to go even though they have paid. The reason for this is that they might become bored or could lose interest in continuing to make use of the facilities available.
Vitruvian Man
The Vitruvian Man, by Artist Leonardo da Vinci in 1490, is accompanied by notes based on the work of the architect Vitruvius. The drawing, which is in pen and ink on paper, depicts a man in two superimposed positions with his arms and legs apart and inscribed in a circle and square. The drawing and text are sometimes called the Canon of Proportions or, less often, Proportions of Man. It is kept in the Gabinetto dei disegni e stampe of the Gallerie dell’Accademia, in Venice, Italy, under reference 228. Like most works on paper, it is displayed to the public only occasionally.
The drawing is based on the correlations of ideal human proportions with geometry described by the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius in Book III of his treatise De Architecture. Vitruvius described the human figure as being the principal source of proportion among the Classical orders of architecture. Vitruvius determined that the ideal body should be eight heads high. Leonardo’s drawing is traditionally named in honor of the architect.
The ideal male body
According to research the shape of a man’s body over the past 100 years has not changed much when compared with changes to the shape of the female body. Men either aim to bulk up or look athletic and lean. Men are more focused on their upper body, and want their abs to have six packs. On average the ideal man’s chest circumference should be 10 inches bigger than his waist circumference. Although everyone has their own aims for their body.
The classic well known male bodybuilder in the fitness industry is Steve Reeves who is known as having the best proportion of body size of all time. The size of Steve’s body is not big compared to a lot of bodybuilders nowadays.
Steve Reeves: Measurements
(Ideal body measurements for men, no date)
Ideal body shape for women
Woman’s ideal bodies have had a lot of changes throughout the years. The reason for that is because of the “trends” of the ideal body type in a certain year in addition to the fashion, pop music culture, movies and politics. These all have a big influence on women and how they want their body to look. Therefore the ideal body for a woman will not stop changing in the future.
The list below shows how women’s bodies have changed throughout the past 100 years.
1910: The Gibson Girl
The Gibson girl is similar to an hour glass shape made possible by the use of corsets. Corsets were very popular as they created a very small waist and a long neck, and sloped shoulder. The look was complete with big romantically curled hair. The reason it iscalled the Gibson Girl is that Charles Gibson who was an illustrator of a magazine in the early 19th century presented what his dream girl would look like on the pages of Life, Collier’s and Harper’s magazines. She would become the Beyoncé of that era. Lots of women copied his signature look.
1920: The Flapper
After ten years the Gibson Girl trend became old. In the 1920s The Flapper took over. The Flapper is totally different to Gibson’s ideal woman. There were no more monumental curves, tall, fancy big curls were replaced with a small bust and hips. There was no more cleavage instead the trend was a flat chested look streamlined, petite and straight up and down. Also, “shorties” ruled Hollywood. They said: reach for a lucky strike instead of a sweet! In that era.
In the 1920s skinny was the fashion key. The waistline had moved several inches below the navel. Sex appeal still mattered but the focus had changed to a different place of the body. The Flapper focused more on the low body shifting downward to the legs.
“Where a shorter knee-length hemline could expose the flash of a garter while doing a “shimmy.” Margaret Gorman, crowned as the first Miss America in 1921, was the era’s ideal. Her 5-foot-1, 108-pound frame was a full 180 from the Gibson era.”
1930: The Soft Siren
In 1930 The Soft Siren had taken over from The Flapper with a less straight up and down line, more fitted silhouette. The waist was back up to the belly button line and a hint of the shoulder too and the chested look for a small bust line are away. Come back with a slightly more curvaceous body but still stay skinny figure. The bread diet was a weight loss method of the time. In other words the soft siren was a small translation of the flapper a curvier still petite and skinny version.
1940: The Star-Spangled Girl
In 1940 during world war ll, the shape of the female body had a big influence. The softer look of the 1930s had become more masculine with military shoulders which were broad, boxy and aggressive and the bra shape had become a little bit pointed with names like “bullet” and “torpedo” and a long limbed, taller and squarer silhouette. Although it became more masculine it did not include muscle but the height did become taller and more commanding and related to women’s expanding role in the workforce while men were at war.
1950: The Hourglass
After world war ll curves had made a huge comeback. This was the most curviest era of the 19th century. It was called the Hourglass. Skinny was not what women aimed for any more. Even skinny women wanted to gain weight by using supplements to put weight on to fill out their curves. They also used padding to round out the hip and booty. The ideal measurement was 36-21-36 with a fashion model, Elizabeth Taylor, body. The 1950s were when the Playboy magazine was published and Barbie was created echoing a tiny waisted, large chested ideal woman. Even fashion and clothing changed to a rounded shape.
1960: The Twig
The trend of women’s ideal body shape changed as fast as the calendar. The curvaceous period had gone and the 60s turned the ideal body trend back in the other direction. Skinny was back again. Narrow hips were far out, woman wanted to be petite, delicate and doll faced, looking fresh, girlish and androgynously trim. The top model at the time Twiggy was a petite 5’6” and weighed 91 pounds. She had a doll face, was super slender and petite. The clothing fashion supported the body trends. Shrunken shift dresses removed the cinched waistline, and fashion demands of a smaller bust and slim hips. These sound similar to the Gibson Girl and flapper.
“More and more women are going girdle-free and embracing a less constricting wardrobe. The trade-off? Now that a slim, flat-stomached look must be achieved through diet.”
1970: The Disco Diva
The 1970s was the era party period. It was all about disco, jumpsuits and bellbottoms. The party girl still had to maintain her slim figure, a slim hipped and flat stomached were a must to fit in those fashions on the dance floor in the disco. Polyester and spandex textiles were most popular for clothing. The whole look was to remain lean, especially the torso.
1980: The Supermodel
In the 80s the petite girlie trend was taken over by the tall, leggy runway models, who were represented as having the ideal woman’s body. The reasons for this included pop culture, media and the movie industry. This was also when the sporty body was introduced for the first time.
1990: The Waif
The 80s tall, leggy runway model body trend did not last long. After ten years the petite body size made a comeback, referred to as the “Waif” and also as “heroin chic”, it was small and slim framed with a firmly unpathetic look.
2000: The Buff Beauty
After changes every ten years in women’s body trends we finally come to the 20th century. A slim figure is still popular, in addition to the sporty “hard” look, a muscled midriff with toned abs was popular.
2010: The Booty
The most recent female body trend in 2016 is the “booty”. The influence for this comes from pop music culture where famous female singers or celebrities like to show their booty. This has led to a lot of females trying to achieve the same kind of body shape. This trend has made a lot more women begin their fitness journey by doing exercises like squats, lunges and leg presses to tackle a specific area of the body.
(Hart, 2015)
Exercise is a very important part to get an ideal body along with nutrition control to ensure a healthier lifestyle. However I personally think we all should either be happy with our body shape, or achieve an ideal body shape in a healthy way through exercise.
Brief
I have been commissioned to prepare proposals to scheme design a recreational center to promote the importance of health and well-being.
The client is Fitness First, they will be opening a new fitness club which will be in Glasgow city center. Fitness First is a budget gym for all age groups, it is affordable for all generations. However, it also provides a welcoming and comfortable interior including a wide range of gym equipment.
The outline brief of this project is to create a contemporary, energetic, motivate fitness interior that are suitable for all age people.
Client
Fitness First was founded in 1993, their first club was opened in Bournemouth in the South of England. Twenty three years later First Fitness now have clubs in over sixteen countries, it has become the leader of the global fitness industry.
Over all these years Fitness First have seen a lots of changes in the fitness industry, but their aim has remained the same: “to offer the best equipment, range of classes, knowledgeable staff and professional advice in a welcoming environment, that helps keep our members motivated”.
“To make sure we achieve our purpose across our 16 markets, we ensure that we remain at the cutting edge of fitness innovation, that we are engaging our staff into an ethos of service and fitness expertise and updating our clubs – rolling out the refurbishments across the globe. We own or lease the majority of our facilities but also have a highly success franchise business in the Middle East with our partner” – “The Landmark Group”. (Fitness First, 2014)
“The idea of ‘Fitness’ has evolved over the last 40 years. From the isolated training Body Builders of the 1970s, through the aerobics boom of the 1980s and the concentration on cardio fitness in the ‘90s, it is clear that fitness constantly changes. 2010 saw the rise of Dynamic Movement Training, a more efficient, innovative way of training based on your body’s natural movement patterns. We’ve created our core product – Freestyle™ training – based on the science of DMT.” (Fitness First, 2014)
“Freestyle Group Training (FGT)
Our research identifies that when exercising in expertly supervised groups, nearly a fifth of our members feel more motivated whilst over a quarter get more out of their workouts and feel they progress more than exercising alone.” (Fitness First, 2014)
“These expertly created FGT training sessions ensure that members are getting the most efficient workout possible, meaning time is not a barrier to fitness.” (Fitness First, 2014)
The location and The building report
Introduction
This report will describe the building, the location, size, style, age, construction, material, importance, history and the general condition of the building the client has purchased for refurbishment into a recreational centre.
Description of the building
The Vinicombe building was built in 1906. It was originally used as a motor garage. The building it is in an L shape form. It has three floors which include the basement. At the front of the building there are three large windows on the ground and first floor. There are full length windows in several locations around the building which provide a lot of natural sun light. The building is prefect for what a gym requires in terms of size and shape. This building has a lot of potential to be developed into a very attractive, modern building.
Location
The location of the building is 24 Vinicombe Street, close to the Botanic Gardens. There are supermarkets and a variety of shops in the vicinity. Vinicombe Street is located in quite a busy area. However, the Vinicombe Building itself is on a side street. There are flats next door to the building with some parking space at the back of the building.
Size
There are three floors which include the basement which is an L shape form. Each floor has approximately 450 ² available space.
Style & Age
The building is in Italian romanesque style and is over 109 years old. It is a very historical building. There is a high flat ceiling at the front of the building. At the back half of the building there is an elegant arched glazed high ceiling which provides natural sun light.
Construction & materials
The building is mainly made of a steel frame and glazing. There are concrete floor slabs at the front part of the building and a glazed pitched roof at the back of the building. There are pale green and cream tiles on the external wall.
On the right hand side of the building there are accesses to allow vehicular access to the basement and first floor. There is a ramp from the Vinicombe Lane to the adjacent tenement building.
Importance/listed
24 Vinicombe building was listed in 1989 6 of February. Therefore no large amount of the changes of the structure we can do.
Some of the steelwork at several places is visible. The steelwork which is adjacent to the external wall might cause damage to the concrete structure.
Defective drainage and weatherproofing is causing progressive deterioration of the structure.
History
The Vinicombe building was originally founded around 1906 by A K Kennedy. D V Wyllie was the architect of the building. The two-storey, 5 bay front building with large windows, and finished in green and white tiles dates from 1911. The steel roof trusses are of an unusual design. In 1912 it was taken over by Arnold Clark Autos Ltd and used as a motor garage for a number of years.
Conclusion
The general condition of the building is that it needs work to be carried out before it can be transferred to an attractive modern energetic recreational center which will stand out in this location.
Aims and Objectives
Aims:
My aims and objectives on this project are to create a contemporary, energetic, motivating fitness interior that is suitable for all age groups. In order to achieve this, I will use the research that I have as an inspiration to create a fresh, simple, sleek, modern look. Each section of the gym should have a different theme but the overall design should have a connection and fit with the company’s image which reflects the principle of the client’s needs and wants.
4 Main Objectives:
• To create an energetic space for high tech cardio machine areas which is the most popular part of the gym. It will also take up most of the space as it requires enough space between the machines to allow customers to move around comfortably and freely.
• The second most popular part in the gym is the weight training area which will be designed as a powerful, manmade, tough, rough theme. This area also requires lots of space for the weight equipment, machines and lastly mirrors to let the visitors see and correct themselves.
• A café which provides an area that allows the visitors to have a snack, to pump themselves up for the workout and a comfortable relaxing area for after the workout to socialise and chill out.
• The most important element is a welcoming reception area which will give the visitors a good first impression.
All the area in the fitness club should use durable, easy to clean. Long lasting materials as the hygiene are very importance.
Target Market
Fitness First’s target market is very wide, it includes: all age groups, local residents, students. Business people and those who are looking for a change such as wanting a different and healthier life style or wanting to change their body and achieve their ideal body shape.
User Requirements
Within the building space, there are two requirements for two different types of users. Which will be the customers and staff requirements.
Reception.
• First impression of the Fitness First when the visitors step in the building.
• Should feel welcoming, provide good lighting, information (labels, directions).
• Waiting area with comfortable seating, entertainment: television, signage.
• Reception desk, seating for the staff, storage, cash tills and a staff entrance.
• A lift should be close to the reception or the main entry of the building that allows access to every floor, this will increase accessibility for deliveries and clients with disabilities.
Café
• Provides a comfortable environment for customers either before or after their workout.
• Includes comfortable and easy to clean finish for café tables and chairs, counter: cash till, bar to prepare foods, storage: drinks, food, entertainment: television, newspaper, magazines.
• Toilets: ladies, gents, accessible toilets.
Changing room
• The changing room is very important for a fitness club as it allows the customers a private space to change their clothes.
• It should include: toilets, showers, lockers and secured main entries male and female changing rooms; showers and toilets and accessible facilities. All of the areas should provide privacy and use easy to clean and durable materials.
Workout space
The main part of the building. Fitness First will provides many different types of exercises such as:
• Cardio,
• Weight training,
• Individual rooms for classes.
• Right number of mirrors, hardwearing materials and finishes also easy to clean, suitable lighting, safety flooring.
Meeting room
• Two different types of meeting rooms.
• Staff meeting room, to allow staff to discuss their work. It will include a meeting table, chairs, television and/or projectors.
• Individual private meeting rooms to allow the client to discuss their needs and wants or progress with their personal trainers.
Staff accommodation.
• As the staffs will work in the building in long shifts the building should provide an area for them to take breaks. It should have small food preparation station tables, seats and toilets.
Storage
• Storage rooms will be on each floor, either for cleaning or gym equipment with a secured access door.
Building regulation and Statutory Requirements
In Scotland there are building regulations standard for all types of buildings, to achieve a successful outcome for my design the building has to meet and follow the building regulation standards to ensure the building is safe to use. There are several main regulations regarding building, planning, health and safety that are very important before we start the refurbishment. list below.
NON-DOMMESTIC
1.0 Structure
1.1.1 General
1.1.2 Landing
1.1.4 Design and construction
2.0 Fire
2.3 Structural protection
2.5.6 Escape
2.9.2 Occupancy capacity
2.9.3 Travel distances
2.9.7 Number of exits
2.9.8 Escape route widths
2.9.11 Fixed obstructions/furnishings
2.9.14 Opening in floors
2.9.24 Protected zones
2.9.30 Escape stair widths
Final exits
Escape lighting
4.0 Safety
4.1 Access to the building
4.2 Access within the building
4.3 Stairs and ramps
4.3.1 Measurement for stairs
4.3.2 Rise, going, tread and pitch of stairs
4.3.3 Width of stairs flights and landings
4.3.4 Number of rises in a flight
4.3.5 Riser and treads
4.3.6 Stairs landing
4.3.10 Pedestrian ramps
4.3.13 Handrails to stairs and ramps
4.3.14 Height of handrails
4.3.15 headroom of stairs and ramps
4.3.16 Industrial stairs and fixed ladders
4.3.17 Stairs and fixed ladders in agricultural buildings
4.5 Electricity safety
4.10 Fixed seating
4.10.1 Variety in provision of fixed seating
5.0 Noise
5.1 Noise separation
5.2 Noise reduction between rooms
6.0 Energy
6.2 Building insulation envelope
6.3 Heating system
6.5 Artiicial and display lighting
7.0 Sustainability
7.1 Statement of sustainability
7.B Sustainability label.
The list above within my design must follows and meet the standards
Case studies
All the case studies that I have research are either be my inspirations or similar projects.
Casa Clounata
Casa Clounata was designed by Mario Martins in Luz-Lagos in 2007 and completed in 2011.
This beautiful sharp curvy edge form combined with rectangular form penthouse is designed by Portuguese architect Mario Martins. The façade curves on the front house has became the focal point of the vision and follows along with the circular pool, every lines and edges of the curves has defining and created to very stylish modern exterior look and a playful and relaxing area. The modern stylish outlook of the exterior has also brought a huge interested to viewer, of what the interior will be like which is a very successful introduction to the house. This define curvy arch also is a division between the exterior and interior of the house.
The designer has kept the design to the minimalist either on colour scheme, materials used. Therefore has successfully created a simply and clean-utterly modern look, to fit in with a natural environment surrounding. But then the designer has used simply and dramatic curves arches to catch everybody’s eyes.
To bring the most out of that beautiful view into the house, the designer has use some full length curved glass walls, and big windows with black mental frame which cretaed a contrast with the white building.
Overall I think the design is very successful. The combinations of the feminine sharp curvy arch with the straight forward simply rectangular building has represented very well of the definition on a simply building.
The white, blue with mini bit of black colour scheme has fitted in well with the natural surrounding at the same time it pop out from the area.
Virgin active
The virgin active was found in 1998 in Preston, Lancashire are part of Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and now have their head office in Milton Keynes Which is ironic since there is no actual Virgin Active Gym representation in Milton Keynes
“In 2014 Virgin Active launched a new low-cost gym called Virgin Active RED in South Africa. The RED gyms focuses on first timers who may be intimidated by training by strategically placing exercise equipment in different stages around the gym and further having touch screen computers and other technologies placed in these predefined area’s teaching the user how to do the exercise correctly.” (Virgin active, 2016)
The club was designed by Architect: Broadway Malyan Limited. The style of the design is in a contemporary style with sharp bright colors. The designer has used the brand colours “red” to create a connection for the virgin fitness club with the entire company.
The club has included a main gym area which has the cardio machines and weight lift area. A canteen. Separated individual rooms for different classes, showers, toilets, changing room and reception with security entries.
The café area has used simple colour scheme red and white with contemporary design. The white has created a clean and calm environment then the designer has use the virgin company colour which is “red” to brighten up the café which has inserted energy to bring interest to environment.
The bike room. The designer has used very strong colours on the ceiling and flooring. The black ceiling and the red floor has created a modern strong mood to the room. The darkness has helps the people to focus either during class or by themselves and listen to music during the exercise.
The reception.
The reception has successfully created a very welcoming mood with the bright red. The glossy finishes and the white thin line lighting has given a clean high class contemporary look.
The cardio area. This space has continued with the black and red theme but instead of the black ceiling it become white therefore bring the brightness back which gives a wake up environment. The symmetrical of the red ceiling and the red flooring has identify where the focal point of the room is. The layout of the machines are tidy and well organized from placed the same types of the machines in the group.
In conclusion the designer has successfully create a contemporary interior also has a good connection with the Virgie company either on the style, mood and the colour scheme has created a very well connection on each area. The materials has used. But in my opinion the colour in reception area has used are the extreme. As there are too much red has been used. In my opinion it could have add either black or white into the space which will have better connection with the all of the other space in the building.
The single family house
This building is design by Zaha Hadid Architects. The location is at the top of the residential area overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
“The concept was to merges straight and curved surfaces at the perimeter of the building into dynamic which then open dramatically to reveal the ocean beyond. Two abstract elements are superimposed and transected by a dynamic roof gesture, where private and family spaces are clustered the ocean view”. (Hadid, 2007)
“The movement form of the architect has blend in well with the located landscaped. “Demarcating the entrance and leading visitors in one, a very flown and connection from exterior to the inside of the house.” (Hadid, 2007)
The view from the top towards the building. View from this angle have presented the overall shape of what the building looks like. Even view from the top the building still shows us there are lots of movements, the sharp curved edges created very dramatic, outstanding, and modern, interesting visual. Which has caught my attention.
The front of the house. The dramatic curves concept has continued to the front of the building. This has gave me a vision of a bird spreading the wings. The two wings joint together in the middle as a wall to two separate rooms, as the location is on top of the residential area and comes along with the amazing view, the designer has used full length windows to capture the dramatic view from the outside.
The side view of the house. Represented the two wings from the roof top and the upstairs full length windows has continued to the ground floor which has brings the two floors as one with the connection from the full length window and the wall.
View from the back. No matter from what angles to look at this building, it has a very dramatic, interesting, eye catching view. In conclusion the architecture has successfully created a dramatic, abstract, dynamic 3d piece of work, in every angle to present different movement and the beauty of it.
In conclusion all three of the case studies that I have researched on has help and direct me to a right direction also has very big influence and inspiration to my design. The Casa Clounata and the Single Family House are inspiration for me on the shapes, movement and the mood, and the Virgin Active has influenced me in the placement of the equipment, layout of different section of the gym and the finishes and materials has used within the areas. To aim to create a modern, sleek and full of movement design.