Project 2 Design Report

8/17/2019 Project 2 Design Report

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gym.nos-noun/adjective

1. A combining form meaning “naked”, “bare”, “exposed”,used in the formation of compound words.


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c o n t e n t / / 0 0

01 // BRIEF

02 // THEORETICAL UNDERPINNING

03 // SITE ANALYSIS

04 // CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

05 // PRECEDENTS

06 // SCHEME DESIGN

07 // DETAILED DESIGN

08 // STRATEGIES


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h i s t o r y

The Roman Bath vaults have been underused for decades, it has become a storage space for fallen rubble. The

Heritage Services section of Bath and North East Somerset Council have seen the potential this space has, and

have decided to take action.

The Council wish to repurpose the space, with a new function which would bring back elements of its previous

function into use.

They would like to keep as much of the space untouched as is possible, which may cause problems as the floor

is so uneven.

They will only allow structural changes should it be for accessibility or in order to comply with health and

safety regulations.

This site also includes the retail unit above, which is at street level, this will provide easier access to the vaults

below. The unit will become the publics first interaction with the site, careful consideration needs to be made

here in order to draw the public in.

The Baths of Caracalla

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema


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The Roman Baths used to be a place that was so full of life, where people used to bathe communally, it was a

daily task that was necessary for their health and wellbeing. Not only was the water used for cleansing, but

they also believed it could cure, that it had some kind rehabilitative qualities.

It was a place that a wide variety of social classes would come to socialize together, as it was very inclusive,

though the extremely wealthy had the luxury of doing it at home.

In ancient Rome, only 5% of the population also had the luxur y of a private toilet. The rest of the population

had two options, the first was a large pot which were located on several street corners. The second option was

the public bathrooms, which are long rows of stone with holes cut into. This again shows the lack of privacy

the Romans had.

Roman Communal Toiletswww.sewerhistory.org


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R e s p o n s e

In response to the brief given, I will be repurposing the Roman Bath Vaults as a Gym.

This will breathe new life into elements of its previous use and stay true to its historic

past.

Due to the influence of it being somewhere people bathed, I have decided to p lay

on its exposing factors. I will be looking at privacy, tease, shadow-play, lighting,

exhibitionism, voyeurism, vanity.

These factors will mold my gym design, particularly in the toilet and shower facilities.

Due to limited space, the gym itself will include basic cardio equipment, free weights

area, heavy weights area, and an open space for classes (for dancing, pilates, yoga

etc.)

I will need to include a lif t and also design an internal floor to give a new even

flooring, this will guide the circulation and it will make it accessible to disabled users.

This flooring won’t touch the walls, but will lightly touch the ground, this means it

will have minimal impact on the existing site.

Many of these factors are already existing within the site, such as these

accidental views which allowed us to gaze at unknowing visitors.


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A n c i en

t G r e ek

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I n t r o d u c t i o n

For my second Project this year, I chose to use the York Street Vaults in Bath for my project. My brief was ver y

strongly influenced by the history of the site. I decided that I wanted to stay true to its past, and breathe new

life into elements of its previous use.

The Vaults are directly linked to Roman Baths. Roman Baths were a place people would go to bathe

communally, it was necessary for their health and wellbeing. After researching into Ancient Greek History, I

found that not only did they bathe publicly, but they also had very exposed communal bathrooms.

In keeping with its previous use, I decided to design a Gym, as exercising is also a daily task which improves

health and wellbeing. And also in keeping with the Ancient Greek customs, I wanted to incorporate this idea of

openness and exposure into the Gym’s design.

The word “Gymnasium” has derived from the Ancient Greek word “Gymnos”, which actually means “Naked”.

This is because athletes used to exercise naked to please the Gods. They believed there was no higher way of

paying tribute to their Gods other than imitating them (Goodson, 1991).

Due to the change in culture and society, this would be seen as highly inappropriate today, but how has this

happened?

On the topic of nudity, many would feel uncomfortable. Nudity means transparency, and when we feel

exposed we feel vulnerable. There’s no filters, no way of altering how we look, just our bare naked selves. This

can be scary for some.

The aim of the gym is to create a place that pushes us out of our comfort zone, but rather than literally make

people exercise naked, I decided to design a gym where people would feel naked. By exploring differentways of exposure, such as: privacy, tease, shadow-play, exhibitionism and voyeurism, I hope to challenge our

society’s current thinking and encourage people to feel comfortable in their own skin.


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0 2 / / t h e o r e t i c a l u n d e r p i n n i n gB o d y I m a g e

The “ideal body-type” has changed drastically throughout history particularly in women. In Ancient Greek times,

plumper women were the ideal, this showed that she was healthy, probably wealthy, and fertile. Today’s ideal womanis what we see all over the media, tall and slim. Back then, they would have been considered as someone who looked

ill and poor.Male ideals haven’t changed, they have always been expected to be strong and fit, which is a standard that is verydifficult to achieve, let alone maintain.Due to such high expectations we have placed on ourselves and on each other, we have become unhappy with our

bodies.

In the present, we can see how social media is playing a large role in our body image. The idea of ‘perfection’ hasbeen around for centuries, we see it in the Vitruvian man and the Golden Ratio. But in the modern age, it is beingfueled by beauty marketing strategies, where they will even Photoshop the most beautiful models to unrealistic

extents, which is just impossible to achieve.

F r o n t S t a g e a n d B a c k S t a g e

We have become a culture obsessed with our online identity. We unsurprisingly want to put the best image ofourselves up, we essentially only want people to see the best version of ourselves, which is difficult to keep up//.Altering our images can be dangerous, we naturally compare ourselves with others, yet “[We] are seeing the worldthrough a filter, and that’s not healthy” (Roxby, 2014). It’s no wonder we try to put on this act, it’s all we’ve ever known.

Erving Goffman’s book ‘Presentation of Self in Everyday Life’ (1959) is a study based on our social interactions witheach other. This led to his dramaturgical analysis. He believes that “as we present ourselves in various situations, we

are much like actors putting on performances for our audience”. He states that we present different identities basedon who our audience is.

Some gym-goers decide to document their progress, or show off their “gains” with a photo, it is a modern way ofexhibiting themselves. They want to be seen at the gym, particularly on social media. They want a place to brag

about the work they are doing. Yet in the locker room, they will hide away, shying away from showing their bare skin.

This shows how clear Erving Goffman’s idea of front stage and back stage is in the scenario of social media. Our online

identities are our ‘front stage’, where we put forward our best selves, and that we are our true selves ‘back stage’.

One gym in Sydney has gone to the extent of banning ‘posers’ who are “just there to have a good look at themselves”

(Crane, 2015), where as the aim of my design is to encourage people to show off, but not for themselves, but forothers to see them.


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B l u r r i n g t h e b o u n d a r i e s

By putting the ‘front stage’ and ‘back stage’ theory into practice within the arrangement of a Gym, typically thebathrooms and the changing areas are back stage areas for the customers, and the staff rooms are back stage areas

for the staff.

I want to get rid of the distinction between front and back stage. By creating a place where people are exposed,they will have a constant audience, the customers will be essentially performing throughout their entire gym

session, and the staff will also have to be on their best behavior on their breaks. Everyone will see and be seen,

which is where the ideas of exhibitionism, voyeurism and shadow-play will come into action.

“An exhibitionist is nothing without a voyeur”

- S. A. Sachs

Exhibitionism = extravagant behavior that is intended to attract attention to oneself and gains pleasure from

others seeing them naked or exposed.

Voyeurism = a person who gains pleasure from watching others when they are naked or exposed”

I am creating a Gym where I want people to show off more, to really draw out the exhibitionists within themselves.

In order to do this, the exhibitionists will need an audience, which is where I will need to also draw out thevoyeuristic qualities of the users.

With these ideas in mind, I then had to design a layout which would enable me to expose the users in the spacesthey will feel most vulnerable. As previously mentioned these would include the shower, changing and toilet

cubicles as well as the massage room for the gym goers, and the break room for the staff. In order to blur theboundaries between ‘front stage’ and ‘back stage’, I decided to use transparent materials, such as frosted glass.

Though it will remove elements of privacy for the users within the spaces, it will allow other users to see inside

spaces they usually would not.

Herzog and De Meuron used a similar method on the 5th floor of their design for Tate Modern (Bettelheim, 2005). They used frosted glass as a feature wall, this allowed users in the l ift foyer to see the shadows of the users in the

private members’ room. The members themselves then become a piece of moving art which draws the attention ofviewers. I want to use this method to blur the privacy boundaries within my design.

1. Bettelheim, T. (2015) BBC News [online]. Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-31359513 [Accessed 24 March 2016].2. Crane, E. (2015) No mirror selfies allowed! Welcome to the gym that has banned posers who are just there to have a good look at themselves. Daily Mail [online]. 9 January. Available from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2901447/No-mirror-selfies-allowed-Welcome-gym-s-banned-

posers-just-good-look-themselves.html [Accessed 23 March 2016]3. Goffman, E. (1959) The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. New York: Anchor Books.4. Goodson, A. (1991) Therapy, Nudity & Joy. Los Angeles: Elysium Growth Press.5. Roxby, P. (2014) Does social media impact on body image? BBC News [online] 13 October. Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29569473 [Accessed 06 April 2016]


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l o c a t i o n

The vaults are located directly under York Street,

the image on the far left highlights the site within

in its context.

The site can be currently accessed by:

1. Double doors on Swallow Street (Ground Level)

2. The Roman Baths entrance (Level -1)3. The corner shop of York Street and Swallow

Street (Ground Level)

These have been labeled in green on the plans.

As this would be the visitors first interaction with

my site, it would be the wise choice to use the

corner shop of York Street and Swallow Street. This

could provide a great opportunity to create a shop

front to my building.

0 3 / / s i t e a n a l y s i s


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These photo montages were taken outside the shop front.

The images above show the shop itself.

The images below show the street it is located on.


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c o n t e x t

The map on the top shows all the buildings that surround it, and what theircurrent uses are. It is a highly commercial area, which is full of shops, cafes, and

restaurants, which is to be expected as it is the centre of Bath.

The map below shows only the existing Gyms which are located near the area.


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The site has generally got good accessibility via different methods of travel

There are many bus stops within the proximity of the building, and the main bus

station is just a 5 minute walk away.

Route 4 Cycle Path is highlighted as it runs very close to the site. Though it is

possible to cycle on the main roads too.

There are a number of carparks near the site, and though many of the roads are

pedestrianised, the carparks are within a good wlaking distance of the Baths.

Bath Spa train station is also only a 7 minute walk away.


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r e s p o n s e

The site has been altered over the years and in this image in

particular, you can distinguish all the different interventions taken

by their different styles.

The existing lighting which is currently fitted is not making the

most of the space, this will be removed and along with a lot of theelectrical cables.

I will be carefully considering what lighting is appropriate for the

needs of my gym, and also what will enhance the features of the

existing space. The new lighting strategy will compliment the

existing structure rather than oppose it.


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0 4 / / c o n c e p t d e v e l o p m e n t

This is a concept design based on lack of

privacy, and blurring the boundaries of

personal space.

This concept is based on offsetting my intervention, it shows how

the design could potentially sit in the site, and how the fixtures

could attch to the flooring.

Based on an existing hole in one of the

rooms, this drawing explores an idea of

allowing the public to look into the massage

room.


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This shows the plan and how it could potentially be divided to

hold all the different functions necessary.

In order to create an exhibitionists shower, the viewers outside the shower

would be able to see. In order to play on the levels of privacy, the viewers

will only be able to see shadows.

In order for this to happen, the showers must be lit more than outside.


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This was my first programme diagram, which was working

out every route possible from one space to another.

At this point I was also considering a healthy cafe within the

space.

I later revised it to create a simpler flow, with a clearer hier-

archy.

I put arrows to indicate the connection the space will have

outside, and the importance this will have on drawing

people in.

I also placed the toilet, shower and changing facilities into

one area as they will be in the final plan.

I added in floor levels and also a Sauna into this diagram


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This is a story board concept visualising the gym’s arrangement and experience


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This axonometric drawing shows a concept development of

the underground floorplan.


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0 5 / / p r e c e d e n t s

‘ d o n ’ t m i s s a s e c ’

London, UK

Monica Bonvincini

2004

-Privacy

-Tests viewers’ levels of embarassment vs

exhibitionism

a l t e r a t i o n t o a s u b u r b a n h o u s e

Dan Graham1978

-Boundaries-Public/Private

-Inside/Outside

-Literal transparency would lead to Social transparency.

b r e a t h b o x

La Grande Motte, France

NAS Architects

2014

-Interact

-Distort-Privacy


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p r e c e d e n t s / / 0 5

c h e d w o r t h r o m a n v i l l a

Gloucestershire, UK

Feilden Clegg Bradley Architects

2012

- Hanging flooring

- Lighting highlighting features

c a s t e l v e c c h i o m u s e u m

Verona, Italy

Carlo Scarpa

1973

- Loose Fit Flooring

- Orientation of sculptures requires users to engange in the work.

t a t e m o d e r n , 5 t h f l o o r

London, UK

Herzog and De Meuron

2000

-Shadows

-Light

-Play on privacy


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u n d e r g r o u n d f l o o r p l a n _ 1 : 1 5 0


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g r o u n d f l o o r p l a n _ 1 : 1 5 0 f i r s t f l o o r p l a n _ 1 : 1 5 0


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s e c t i o n _ 1 : 1 5 0


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s e c t i o n _ 1 : 1 5 0


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s e c t i o n _ 1 : 1 5 0


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0 7 / / d e t a i l e d d e s i g n : s e c t i o n

l o c a t i o n o f r e n d e r e d s e c t i o n


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r e n d e r e d s e c t i o n _ 1 : 2 0


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0 7 / / d e t a i l e d d e s i g n : d e t a i l s

STAINLESS STEEL GLASS CLIP

s h o w e r p a r t i t i o n d e t a i l _ 1 : 2

10MM GLASS

CLEAT

1.5MM STEEL CLADDING

GASKET / WET GLAZING

SEALER

CAPPED SCREW

CEMENT INFILLED STEEL FLOOR TILE

PEDESTAL


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d e t a i l e d d e s i g n : d e t a i l s / / 0 7

1. 20MM GLASS

2. GASKET/ WET GLAZING

3. WELDED BLOCK

4. CAPPED SCREW

5. 1.5MM ANGLED CLEAT

6. ANCHORED STUD

7. CEMENT INFILLED STEEL FLOOR TILE

h a n d r a i l d e t a i l _ 1 : 2


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0 8 / / s t r a t e g i e s : a r c h i t e c t u r a l

z o n i n g c i r c u l a t i o ne x i s t i n g a x e s


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s t r a t e g i e s : c o n s t r u c t i o n / / 0 8

Sequencing this construction is very important, there is a lot of

preparation work needing to be done before work could begin.

I have broken it into 6 Phases.

1 - Preparing the Site

2 - Laying the groundwork 3 - Installing Services

4 - Laying the floor

5 - Defining Spaces

6 - Safety


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0 8 / / s t r a t e g i e s : c o n s t r u c t i o n

p h a s e 1 : p r e p a r i n g t h e s i t e

In order to prepare the site for the Gyms intervention, a

lift would need to be installed immediately to help with

work needing to be carried out.

There are 3 alterations being made to the existing

walls within the site, which would need to be knockedthrough in the first stage.

Many of the large rocks would need to be removed,

others will be moved in the open spaces of the flooring.

Also, majority of the exisiting lighting would be

removed to later be replaced.

p h a s e 2 : l a y i n g t h e g r o u n d

The gym is going to be on a raised floor, the ped-

estals which hold the floor would need to go in

next in order for the services to be fitted.

p h a s e 3 : i n s t a l l i n g s e r v i c e s

The services will run under the flooring, so they

would need to be fitted before the floor goes

down.

This would include water servicing, ventilationand electricity for lighting and equipment.


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p h a s e 4 : l a y i n g t h e f l o o r i n g

The flooring would then go down in order to start

placing the equipment in.

p h a s e 5 : d e f i n i n g s p a c e s

This is when the gym begins to really take shape.

All the equipment would be brought in, this had

to happen before the safety as it would be difficult

to move some of the equipment when the railings

are in.Also the bathrooms would be installed, and

glass partitioning would be put to close off some

rooms.

p h a s e 6 : s a f e t y

The main issue of safety in this building is the

drops from the ramps.

The railing is able to be fitted now that the

equipment is in.

All the equipment would be tested beforeoccupation


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0 8 / / s t r a t e g i e s : f u n c t i o n a l

These diagram shows the zoning I chose to follow for the site.

Public

Vertical Circulation

Massage Room

Gym

Locker Room

Classes

Toilets + Showers

Steam Room

Sauna

u n d e r g r o u n d


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s t r a t e g i e s : f u n c t i o n / / 0 8

Public

Vertical Circulation

Behind Reception

Reception Area

Staff Toilets

Staff Kitchen

Office

Staff Room

Consultation Space

Private

f i r s t f l o o r

g r o u n d f l o o r

My project has been strongly based on Erving Goffman’s theory

of ‘front stage’ and ‘back stage’. This is how applied his theory

within my architectural context.

This diagram shows how I have removed the distinction

between a typical ‘public and private’ layout. I achieved this by

blurring the physical boundaries.

Though the access to the private areas are still restricted, they

are not as ‘private’ anymore due to the frosted glass walls.

p u b l i c + p r i v a t e b l u r r e d b o u n d a r i e s


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0 8 / / s t r a t e g i e s : e n v i r o n m e n t a l

l i g h t i n g + v e n t i l a t i o n

As there is a Sauna and Steam Room within the

site, it is vital that these spaces receive adequate

ventilation to remove the moisture from the air.

These will be fitted to remove the air directly abovethe rooms.

The majority of the site is situated below ground

level, and so only the ground level receives

sunlight.


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s t r a t e g i e s : r e g u l a t o r y / / 0 8

Refuge point for disabled users

Fire exit signs

Fire alarm call point

Assembly point

f i r e s a f e t y

In the emergency of a fire, there will be anumber of fire alarm call points on site.

Adequate fire exit signs will be providedand lit to ensure they are seen. These will

guide users to two exits, one which requires

the user to go upstairs and through the

reception, the other would be at the far endof the gym, which links up to Roman Baths

next door.

There will need to be a refuge point for

disabled users as we are below the ground.

The main assembly point will be located

outside the ground floor entrance on York St.


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0 8 / / s t r a t e g i e s : l i g h t i n g

The main lighting scheme will be designed to

highlight existing features of the site.

The lighting will generally be placed under the

flooring at facing the walls, this will emphasize the

raised flooring and will make the space seem larger.

One of the important design consideratins was in

the bathrooms, in order to cast shadows outside ofthe showers and toilets, they had to be b rightly lit

inside, and not so brightly lit outside.

These cubicles will then essentially become light

boxes to their surrounding areas.

l i g h t i n g a b o v e

l i g h t i n g b e l o w


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s t r a t e g i e s : l i g h t i n g / / 0 8

m a s s a g e r o o m t o i l e t c u b i c l e s

c h a n g i n g c u b i c l e s h o w e r c u b i c l e

I made four different cubes in order to test lighting and shadow casting.


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0 8 / / s t r a t e g i e s : m a t e r i a l i t y

O p a c i t y T e s t i n g

The top images were taken early on in my concept

development, when I realised the importance

opacity will play on the shadow/privacy aspect.

These were done with tracing paper, i later went to

find acrylic which resembled the same images.

1. This was just tinted acrylic, which didn’t do

anything for privacy, it just darkened whatever

was behind.2. The tinted and patterned acrylic actually does

disorientate the viewer from seeing behind the

glass, I used an example on the left to show this.

3. The frosted acrylic still shows the original

colours, but again, you cannot see colour.


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s t r a t e g i e s : m a t e r i a l i t y / / 0 8 To contrast the existing, and to easily distinguish

this intervention from the existing, the materials

chosen will have a very clean modern finish.

As the main focus of this project is based on factors

such as privacy, exhibitionism and teasing, the use

materials have translucent and reflective qualities.

Mirror

Reflective, Force Views, Vanity

Opaque glass

Translucent, Tease, Voyeurism

Concrete

Offset, Zoning

The palette will be monochrome, there will be

no bright objects or materials in the gym. I have

chosen this as it will contrast the warm tones of the

existing site, and therefore easily distinguishing

what is new and what is old.


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0 8 / / s t r a t e g i e s : o c c u p a t i o n + m a i n t e n a n c e

P e a k t i m e s

The best way to describe the occupation of my

building was through time.

Based off an existing gym in Bath, Bath Gym Fitness

First, a typical gym in would be open 6am-10pm,

and peak times would be between 6am-10am and

5pm-9pm.

There are 24/7 gyms, such as ‘The Gym’ and ‘Pure

Gym’. Their peak hours are very different, and Bath

does not currently have one.

Due to the nature of my building, and its play on

tease and shadow play, it lends itself well to being a

night gym.

I decided to change my gym opening times to

5pm-10am. So it will open at typical peak time, and

close after peak time. During the ‘closed’ hours,

maintenance will be carried out on the equipment,

and the building will be cleaned.

The hours in between ‘peaks’, 9pm-6am, will

provide a very ‘secretive’ environment for those

who are open to a more seductive and adventurousgym experience.

Project 2 Design Report

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