The owner, a fitness blogger, aimed to transform the basement of her private residence into a dedicated fitness studio. The space is primarily designed for daily workouts, video and photo shoots, and occasionally hosting fitness classes for students.
Prior to renovation, the basement featured uneven flooring and exposed beams, creating a disorganized and low-ceilinged environment. The only two light wells were awkwardly positioned in the corners.
How could such a space be adapted to support fitness activities?
Body Boundaries – The main training routines for the female blogger include basic fitness equipment workouts and Pilates. These movements differ significantly from typical home activities, creating a unique expression of the body. We designed overlapping movements that form a soft boundary resembling a circular arch. This dynamic boundary stretches and moves throughout the space, reflecting the fluidity of the workouts.
△ Courtyard axonometric measurement
Space Boundary – We introduced a free-form arched boundary into the space to conceal the original chaotic structural features. This new continuous boundary gently envelops the body, creating a soft spatial definition. Unlike a precise circular arch, this free arch is soft, irregular, and difficult to define. Its trajectory from ceiling to floor is dynamic, fluctuating naturally to support the body’s soft boundaries.
Circulation and Penetration – The free arches are continuous, intersecting, and layered throughout the space. From different viewpoints, these curves take on varied forms, their intersections breaking up solids and voids. This interplay creates a sense of elusive circulation and spatial penetration.
Mirror Extension – Beyond supporting movement, mirrors extend and amplify the free-form curves within the space. This reflection strengthens the connection between the physical and virtual environments. What was once a narrow basement has been transformed into a grand spatial backdrop through the use of mirrors.
Connecting Inside and Outside – The basement’s only two light wells and the staircase serve as links to the exterior. The design emphasizes these three connection points by assigning them distinct colors, forming an “embedded courtyard” space. This approach creates layered transitions between inside and outside within the enclosed area.
△ Axonometric diagram
Light and Shadow Dynamics – Two light wells bring natural light into the space. In areas distant from the wells, a light strip runs along the top edge, visually separating the arch from the ceiling and creating a floating effect within the limited height. To ensure uniform lighting, four diagonal light strips are installed across the ceiling, intersecting the soft boundaries like “power lines.” The combination of arches and diagonal lines contrasts softness with strength, reflecting the interplay between a woman’s body and cold fitness equipment—capturing the essence of a fitness studio.
Design Drawings
△ Design Concept
△ Plan View
△ Elevation 1
△ Elevation View 2
△ Elevation View 3
△ Node Details
Project Information
Project Name: Body, Space, Boundary – Private Studio of a Fitness Female Blogger
Designer: Dahai Xiaoyan Design Studio
Company Website: www.atelier-dy.com
Contact Email: [email protected]
Official Account: Xiaoyan Design
Project Design & Completion Year: 2020
Main Creators & Design Team: Guo Donghai, Yan Linglin
Project Location: Lane 1300, Sanlin Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
Building Area: 110m²
Photography Credit: Enwan
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