Aedas Interiors-designed Fit Republik in Dubai opens its doors
Fit Republik is the largest sports facility of its kind in Dubai with a built up area of 9,000 square metres. Aedas Interiors have converted two existing buildings into a world class mixed-use sports facility.
The interior design concept was based around a raw, industrial aesthetic which reflects the functional nature of Fit Republik as a place of real sportsmanship. All services are exposed and finishes are stripped down and minimal. To deliver this industrial yet slick looking interior, Aedas Interiors utilised raw and recycled materials in the form of exposed concrete, salt water rusted mild steel, reclaimed timber, hemp ropes, recycled bricks, shipping crate offices and up-cycled furniture, complemented by the use of large scale bespoke light features and oversized art installations.
Key features include a bespoke wall installation in the entrance lobby which looks as though a giant has punched it, lighting features installed into galvanised duct work which snake their way throughout the facility and a double height art wall feature using re-cycled yoga mats hooked onto timber rungs. All art installations were chosen to add a sense of fun, life and colour to the interior whilst imparting inspirational slogans and instilling subliminal messages to the users.
Fit Republik occupies two large curved roof buildings, one of which houses an Olympic swimming pool, changing rooms, a retail shop and the administrative office; and the other contains the Elite Zone for professional athletes, Olympic weightlifting stations, Olympic gymnastics, mixed martial arts, cross-fit, cardio and spinning, yoga and pilates facilities. A smaller building connects the two and serves as the main entrance.
The main fitness area including the Elite Zone, weightlifting stations and gym has a raw and edgy quality with unfinished surfaces, rubber and concrete flooring. Coloured, projected lights are used to highlight the rough concrete finish of the columns. Exposed service jostle with strip lighting concealed inside ductwork casings and coloured, racy neon highlight the circulation path from the gym to the café, changing rooms, mixed martial arts zone and studios.
The mixed martial arts zone occupies a double height volume underneath the curved roof with dynamic graphics on the floor, delineating the various disciplines of boxing, grappling, wrestling and judo.
The mezzanine floor above houses the gymnastics and cardio studio. Edge protection is provided in the form of jute ropes secured to the roof and floor. The ductwork runs containing the strip lighting penetrate through the adjacent gym area and turn 90 degrees to provide continuity in the lighting theme of the mixed martial arts zone.
The cardio and spinning studios are spacious glass walled rooms. Printed quotes and words are mounted on the glass to provide privacy. The ceiling lighting is a series of overlapping halos reminiscent of spinning bicycle wheels.
The café is voluminous and light filled. The industrial theme is continued with a concrete floor, recycled brick walls, black iron gates and wall murals by a local artist.
To ensure both functional and aesthetic success, Aedas Interiors consulted professional trainers from multiple sports disciplines to achieve the highest quality of sports provision.
Read more on Aedas official website.
