snarkitecture's 'manifest' wellness club is a modern space for self-care

a space for modern wellness by snarkitecture

with its ‘manifest’ club, snarkitecture introduces a new lifestyle destination to the heart of washington D.C. the project takes shape as a modern wellness space dedicated to self-care, all expressed with the studio’s signature clean, bright finishes. a holistic environment, the club integrates programs including a barber shop, a café, a ‘speakeasy’ cocktail bar, and a retail boutique.

sophisticated and contemporary, the club was conceived by entrepreneur and university of maryland faculty director KJ hughes, along with his partners brian merritt and susan morgan.

images © michael grant

manifest: coffee, cocktails, cuts, and clothing

snarkitecture (see more) realizes its ‘manifest’ wellness club as a place where locals and visitors of washington D.C. can order a coffee or cocktail, have a haircut, or shop for luxury streetwear all in one space. snarkitecture partner alex mustonen explains: ‘when we set out to design manifest, it needed to be a new kind of barbershop, inviting to all people. simultaneously, we wanted to create a sanctuary, a community space, an institution, a one-of-a-kind experience that still feels like home.‘

the wellness club surely offers that sanctuary from the busy streets of the nation’s capital. the space is set back from the street behind an oasis courtyard with sculptural benches, pockets of landscaping, and walls of warm timber siding. this warm expression and timber finish continues along the interior with the introduction of bright white tiles, brown leather barbershop chairs, and a terrazzo-topped coffee bar.

a place for ‘manifesting your best self’

snarkitecture worked closely with KJ hughes, who now oversees the manifest club with partners brian merritt and susan morgan. hughes comments: ‘when envisioning what type of space manifest would be, I knew that this would be an experiential space unlike anything seen before. in my recent travels and research, I’ve seen several barbershops, retail boutiques and speakeasies.

‘my vision was to bring all of these elements together under one roof in a way that isn’t about haircuts or coffee or clothing or cocktails — it’s about how all these things make you feel. it’s about manifesting your best self through an immersive experience.’