Health & Fitness
Pumped up

Philippe Starck’s first company was set up to create inflatable objects in the 1960s. Almost 50 years later, as his ‘inflatable’ health club in Montpellier, France celebrates its first birthday, we take a look around

Published in CLADmag 2015 issue 3
Read in digital edition Download PDF of this issue
Le Nuage opened in September 2014. Other recent projects include Café Ha(a)ïtza in Pyla-sur-Mer, France which opened in July, and the Yoo at Metropica condo, which has just broken ground in Miami

French designer Philippe Starck has created an ‘inflatable’ health club in Montpelier, France, by cladding the building with fluorine-based ETFE to create a bubble-like façade housing fitness facilities over five floors.

Opened in October 2014, the Le Nuage club includes a fitness studio and gym, swimming pool, café, children’s area, hairdressers and beauty salon. The striking interior features a range of Starck-designed furniture; the exterior can change colour with the use of external lighting.

Roxim, the developer, says the building was inspired by the gymnasiums developed into baths during the Greek and Roman times, which were designed to be places for both training and relaxation.

“The beauty and richness of life arises from diversity, translucency and projections,” said Starck. “This building is the opposite of an architectural gesture. It is a ‘nearly nothing’; an urban space, a chaotic and free town, a magic bubble; virtually indestructible, even though it only has the thickness of a few tenths of a millimetre. Le Nuage is a factory of energy for everyone and for the town of Montpellier.”

Unusually-designed health clubs are something of a rarity, and this one stands out. The exterior is striking, but doesn’t feel gimmicky, and the interior spaces are original and welcoming.

The health club was designed with a series of air filled ‘pillows’ on the façade to give an impression of lightness
The design features industrial-looking surfaces and exposed pipework
Splashes of colour contrast with the neutral walls and flooring in the restaurant. Philippe Starck furniture has been used throughout the facility, which is spread over five floors
Philippe Starck furniture has been used throughout the facility, which is spread over five floors
Philippe Starck furniture has been used throughout the facility, which is spread over five floors
The café bar area features a neon pink sign and a range of lime green furniture and tiling. Starck aimed to create a light, airy feel across the health club, while adding a sense of fun
The design features industrial-looking surfaces and exposed pipework, mixed with bright flashes of colour and unusual features.
The gym offers Technogym equipment
 


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CLADmag
2015 issue 3

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Leisure Management - Pumped up

Health & Fitness

Pumped up


Philippe Starck’s first company was set up to create inflatable objects in the 1960s. Almost 50 years later, as his ‘inflatable’ health club in Montpellier, France celebrates its first birthday, we take a look around
Le Nuage opened in September 2014. Other recent projects include Café Ha(a)ïtza in Pyla-sur-Mer, France which opened in July, and the Yoo at Metropica condo, which has just broken ground in Miami
The health club was designed with a series of air filled ‘pillows’ on the façade to give an impression of lightness
The design features industrial-looking surfaces and exposed pipework
Splashes of colour contrast with the neutral walls and flooring in the restaurant. Philippe Starck furniture has been used throughout the facility, which is spread over five floors
Philippe Starck furniture has been used throughout the facility, which is spread over five floors
Philippe Starck furniture has been used throughout the facility, which is spread over five floors
The café bar area features a neon pink sign and a range of lime green furniture and tiling. Starck aimed to create a light, airy feel across the health club, while adding a sense of fun
The design features industrial-looking surfaces and exposed pipework, mixed with bright flashes of colour and unusual features.
The gym offers Technogym equipment

French designer Philippe Starck has created an ‘inflatable’ health club in Montpelier, France, by cladding the building with fluorine-based ETFE to create a bubble-like façade housing fitness facilities over five floors.

Opened in October 2014, the Le Nuage club includes a fitness studio and gym, swimming pool, café, children’s area, hairdressers and beauty salon. The striking interior features a range of Starck-designed furniture; the exterior can change colour with the use of external lighting.

Roxim, the developer, says the building was inspired by the gymnasiums developed into baths during the Greek and Roman times, which were designed to be places for both training and relaxation.

“The beauty and richness of life arises from diversity, translucency and projections,” said Starck. “This building is the opposite of an architectural gesture. It is a ‘nearly nothing’; an urban space, a chaotic and free town, a magic bubble; virtually indestructible, even though it only has the thickness of a few tenths of a millimetre. Le Nuage is a factory of energy for everyone and for the town of Montpellier.”

Unusually-designed health clubs are something of a rarity, and this one stands out. The exterior is striking, but doesn’t feel gimmicky, and the interior spaces are original and welcoming.


Originally published in CLADmag 2015 issue 3

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