A Nostalgic Transformation
The iconic Ken Club in Paris, a well-known health club, has been reimagined by architects Rodolphe Parente and Marion Mailaender, merging its 1985 identity with contemporary design. The club now pulses with a dynamic architectural remix. Embracing bold colors and curvilinear forms, Parente and Mailaender draw creatively from the 1980s, infusing the space with vibrant energy without replicating the past.
Reviving a Parisian Fitness Club
Initially founded by Mireille and Pierre Benzaquen, the Ken Club quickly became a renowned social spot. The renovation honors this legacy by abstracting 1980s influences throughout the interior, creating a fresh environment that still nods to its heritage. The architects orchestrated a dance of colors, from pale surfaces to turquoise and pink, diverging from common fitness aesthetics found in any city gym.
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Playful Patterns and Light
Terrazzo-like upholstery and patterned surfaces inject a playful graphic language into the club. Daylight streams through a glazed roof, enhancing circulation spaces with natural illumination. This deliberate play between light, color, and architecture redefines the Ken Club’s essence—a place where social interaction meets fitness in this renowned establishment.
Innovative Design Elements
The interior’s design features curved staircases beneath glass roofs and patterned surfaces, continuing the club’s unique visual language. Reflective surfaces and metallic finishes complete this modern interpretation, creating cohesive spaces for relaxation and activity alike.
Connecting Spaces
Circular windows overlook a pristinely blue pool, establishing a graphic rhythm that echoes the club’s history. Flanked by these distinct design elements, members move effortlessly from training to social areas, enhancing the allure of this urban fitness haven.
A Fresh Perspective
Treadmills line a mirrored training room washed in pink, and strength-training equipment populates this brightly toned fitness space. Sculptural pink furniture and metallic surfaces mark the interior, maintaining the balance between the past and present in this setting.
Modern Luxury
Subtle touches such as a curved washbasin counter framed by metallic panels display the infusion of modern luxury. Blue walls and unique circular openings form striking sculptural spaces throughout the club.
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Cutting-Edge Facilities
Mirrored lockers lend a futuristic feel, while the washbasin areas blend cork-toned panels with pink lighting. The cycling studio projects energy with its vibrantly illuminated frames, encapsulating the essence of the Ken Club’s renovation as a premier lifestyle destination.
Project Details
The Ken Club’s transformation, guided by Rodolphe Parente and Mailaender, crafts a contemporary haven in Paris. This reinvention honors its origins while offering a modernized social and fitness experience. It’s more than an update; it’s a celebration of evolving design in this fitness institution.
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
Who redesigned the Ken Club in Paris?
The Ken Club in Paris was reimagined by architects Rodolphe Parente and Marion Mailaender, merging its 1985 identity with contemporary design.
What are some design features of the renovated Ken Club?
The interior of the renovated Ken Club features curved staircases beneath glass roofs, patterned surfaces, reflective surfaces, and metallic finishes. These elements create cohesive spaces for relaxation and activity, maintaining a balance between the past and present.
How does the Ken Club renovation honor its legacy?
The renovation of the Ken Club honors its legacy by abstracting 1980s influences throughout the interior, creating a fresh environment that still nods to its heritage. The design merges bold colors and curvilinear forms inspired by the 1980s with modern luxury elements.