Balboa Bar & Gym / helsinkizurich

Balboa Bar & Gym / helsinkizurich - Stairs, Handrail, WindowsBalboa Bar & Gym / helsinkizurich - Shelving, Bench, BeamBalboa Bar & Gym / helsinkizurich - ChairBalboa Bar & Gym / helsinkizurich - DoorBalboa Bar & Gym / helsinkizurich - More Images+ 7

  • Architects: helsinkizurich
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Jochen Splett
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Castaldi
Balboa Bar & Gym / helsinkizurich - Stairs, Handrail, Windows
© Jochen Splett

Text description provided by the architects. Balboa is an urban fitness start-up. We designed their first fixed location – Balboa Bar & Gym - in the banking district of Zurich. The design is based on functionality, authenticity, collectivity and openness. The goal was not only to create a new place-to-be, but further to challenge common perception of what “fitness” is about and to open up the Balboa community to grow beyond gym- goers. People and interaction are in the center of the concept.

Balboa Bar & Gym / helsinkizurich - Table, Chair
© Jochen Splett
Section
Balboa Bar & Gym / helsinkizurich - Chair
© Jochen Splett

The concept mixes two uses that normally would not be considered a “match”. The ground floor works as a regular, fully-fledged bar and the gym is located downstairs. This unorthodox mix is celebrated in the architecture. Generous roughly cut openings allow for visual connections between the two floors and their partly differing clientele – and also bring natural light in to the basement. The connecting effect is amplified by lighting. Further ample uncovered windows connect the bar to the outer world. Inside, the long copper bar, wide concrete drinking fountains, a big communal table and the „mixed-zone“ downstairs (housing shared toilets) are designed as places of encounter.

Floor Plan

Balboa Bar & Gym is located in the ground floor and basement of an existing modernistic office building from the 60’s. For functionality the spatial organization was optimized, new connections between the floors were added to make the most out of the available space in all three dimensions. To stay true to urban spirit Balboa’s (and in order to deal with the tight budget) the look and feel was kept functional and authentic. Surfaces were, when possible, left as found or toned to an all- grey palette. The reduced backdrop was then contrasted with black steel, a few splashes of signal red, copper, light beech wood and cognac leather to add graphic accents and warmth.

Balboa Bar & Gym / helsinkizurich - Shelving, Bench, Beam
© Jochen Splett

Project gallery

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Project location

Address:Am Schanzengraben 19, 8002 Zürich, Switzerland

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Balboa Bar & Gym / helsinkizurich" 05 Jul 2016. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/790609/balboa-bar-and-gym-helsinkizurich> ISSN 0719-8884

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