In a former German fire brigade station dating back from WWII, with a four-floored watchtower, we were invited to do a very challenging project of reconstruction and redesign of almost a whole building. What we immediately recognised as a potential and a main bearer of the project was a strong line between the neglected and the maintained.
Cross Fit, as a discipline itself, is about comparison, common exercise and a lot of sacrifices, and that is how the space was also treated.
By reprogramming the structure of the building, we achieved the open plan which included the practicing area intertwined with the lounge, which opened the new dimension for sportsmen in Belgrade.
By giving away the whole upper floor just for the changing rooms, the gym is showing a huge desire for a well deserved comfort. A huge agora-like area for the lockers is a place where the new ones and the tired ones meet. Finally, the barriers of the showers are semi-translucent rubber sheets that are giving that twisted, almost pervert experience of a gym.
With a long-term expansion plan, we’ll see what will happen with the tower and the adjacent backyard.
Stay tuned!