arii irie architects divides gym interiors with an orange vinyl strip curtain in tokyo

the number of fitness gyms have been rapidly increasing over the last few years, so arii irie architects got challenged with proposing an innovative interior design concept. unlike the normal casual workout place, the programmatic concept of the ‘cell’ gym, located in tokyo, is a professional personal training center that approaches training from the cellular level, hence its name. the gym provides not only physical training but also nutritional counseling, hydrogen gas inhalation and houses blood sampling equipment. 

a vinyl curtain divides the gym and the reception

it was necessary to create a space with a sense of seriousness towards health, where training would solidly contribute to a positive result. arii irie architects designed a curved orange pvc strip curtain as a threshold between everyday life and training. the vivid color of the strips emphasizes the contrast between the two worlds, while the action of passing through inspires the awareness of transition into a different phase.

the curtain shapes the volume of the gym space

on the other hand, the fact that one can enter and exit anywhere gives the two spaces a sense of unity. the training area is conceived as a naked space free from ‘dressed’ everyday life, with its finishing completely stripped away. it is a space where one can face one’s bare body in a raw atmosphere and concentrate on training.

the strips enable entrance from anywhere into the gym

arii irie architects’ result is a dual space with two different characters, yet are kept united by the orange curtain. the translucent quality of the elements lets light shine through from one side to the other, and even guides people to move throughout the space. the curved curtain creates a dynamic interior that matches the energizing atmosphere of the gym.

the interior of the gym is simple and raw

the reception space seen from the entrance

the curving curtain guides the visitor to the changing rooms

main interior view

the name of the gym reflects the programmatic concept

close-up of the vinyl curtain

the fabric of the curtain reflects the texture of the bare concrete wall

the interior and exterior curtains

project info:

location: tokyo, japan 

architect: arii irie architects / atsuo arii, kako irie, tatsuaki komuro, yasuyuki sato 

fabric design: yuki tsutsumi 

lighting design: atsushi sugio / sugio lighting design office 

photography: toshiyuki udagawa

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: cristina gomez | designboom