Empowerment and aspiration: Fox Fit

An energized female fitness facility in inner Melbourne by Mim Design merges brand and experience to create a vibrant space that punches well above its weight, inspiring a better way of living.

Empowering and aspirational, the design of Fox Fit seeks to inspire individual achievement while bolstering a vibrant culture of health and wellbeing. Executed by Mim Design, the “fitness for females” brief presented an opportunity to translate the strength of the Fox Fit brand into a memorable and motivational experience for visitors, new and returning.

Inserted into the lofty proportions of a red-brick, sawtooth-roofed warehouse in inner Melbourne, Fox Fit draws influence from the site’s robust industrial language, while introducing a strong design sensibility inspired by the “athleisure” lifestyle. Mim Design’s largely female team referenced their own fitness experiences and insights into women’s activewear to inform the design, consciously eschewing gendered stereo- types to create a sense of comfort, safety and approachability.

Fox Fit draws influence from the site’s robust industrial language and the red- brick warehouse it calls home.

Fox Fit draws influence from the site’s robust industrial language and the red- brick warehouse it calls home.

Image: Peter Clarke

The facility offers numerous physical activities. Emma Mahlook, creative director of Mim Design, worked closely with associate interior designer Kristiina Reeve to create an intuitive journey throughout, defining zones to motivate, energize, guide and restore. “The palette plays a critical role in addressing the unique conditions of the brief,” explains Mahlook. Playfully combining high-performance and luxury finishes, the notion of contrast and balance is a signature of the space. Bold colour and elemental forms are offset with softer elements, creating a series of diverse and energetic atmospheres enhanced by technology and a strong graphic overlay.

Fox Fit’s punchy identity is apparent upon entry, where a fiery orange hue envelops a reception and retail zone, establishing a tone of command. Enlivened by dual-toned neon signage and cleverly concealing an office space beyond, this sweeping form frames a sculpted stone bench, presenting an intuitive gathering and reception point to socialize and dwell. Seasonal activewear is framed with a gallery-like reverence: a stone plinth elevates footwear and accessories, while smoked mirror reflects the detail and colour of the high-performance garments.

On entry, Fox Fit’s punchy identity is made clear – a fiery orange hue envelops the reception and retail zone.

On entry, Fox Fit’s punchy identity is made clear – a fiery orange hue envelops the reception and retail zone.

Image: Peter Clarke

A passage lined in perforated grey metal is comparatively understated, softened with planting and elegant linen drapery. Black metal portal frames mimic the rhythm of the site’s original exposed-truss ceiling, guiding visitors to the vibrant training spaces – one offers group circuit-based sessions, the other is dedicated to personal training – with linear LED wall lights signifying the entry to each.

Inside, the graphic and energized nature of the Fox Fit brand is celebrated with aplomb. Saturated flooring is boldly gridded to delineate training bays, complementing the rusty hues of the exposed-brick warehouse. Tiered surfaces create a playful grandstand quality, drawing attention to the blackened silhouettes of fitness equipment. Perforated metal-lined walls envelop each room, improving acoustic performance, while silver mirrors give a sense of space and luminosity, allowing clients to observe their form and progress. The reductive quality of these spaces provides a graphic intensity, sharpening focus and clarity while maintaining a lively and motivating spirit.

Conceived as a restorative space, the bathrooms feature chalky ceramic surfaces, honed marble, smoked mirror and bleached timbers, creating a calm and soothing experience.

Conceived as a restorative space, the bathrooms feature chalky ceramic surfaces, honed marble, smoked mirror and bleached timbers, creating a calm and soothing experience.

Image: Peter Clarke

Beyond, the well-equipped bathrooms take a quieter tone. Conceived as a restorative space, the surfaces are lined with chalky ceramics, honed marble, smoked mirror and bleached timbers, creating a calm and soothing experience post-workout. Quality products and luxury fixtures and amenities further enhance this tranquility, while appealing to the tastes of the discerning clientele.

“We always develop a unique philosophy particular to our client,” explains Mahlook. “Underpinning all our work is the objective to design for reason and purpose.” The restrained approach for Fox Fit is purposeful indeed, producing controlled moments that legibly articulate the brand journey and visitor experience. Carefully edited to balance budget constraints and mood, Mim Design has “made sure it still packed some punch,” Mahlook smiles.

Products and materials

Walls and ceilings
Reception walls painted in Dulux ‘Burnt Earth.’ Washroom walls painted in Dulux ‘Ellen Quarter.’ Custom perforated brushed-metal panels. Ecoustic Panel in light grey by Instyle. Washroom walls use Fior di Pesco stone by Corsi & Nicolai.
Windows and doors
Allusion sheer curtains in ‘Pearl’ from Zepel.
Flooring
Flexo Rubber Flooring in ‘Sticky Sap’ by Signature Floors from The Andrews Group. In Rosa matt and antislip ceramic floor tiles by De Fazio. Polished concrete flooring.
Lighting
Reception signage is Rhapsody Neon Flex in red and white by Ambience Lighting. Kobe Track Light with large spotlights in matt white by Lights and Tracks.
Furniture
Reception desk is Fior di Pesco top, base and edge detail powdercoated metal in ‘Headland Satin’ by Dulux. Reeno bench, Anchor side table with matt terracotta top, Diiva Swivel stool and M Pavilion red stacking stool and bench, all by Grazia & Co. Ripple carafe set by Ferm Living.

Credits

Project
Fox Fit by Mim Design
Design practice
Mim Design
South Yarra, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
Project Team
Kristiina Reeve, Miriam Fanning, Emma Mahlook
Consultants
Builder Leeda Projects
Site Details
Site type Urban
Project Details
Status Built
Completion date 2020
Design, documentation 2 months
Construction 2 months
Category Commercial
Type Sport

Source

Project

Published online: 22 Sep 2021
Words: Hayley Curnow
Images: Peter Clarke

Issue

Artichoke, June 2021

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