Fangyuan Fitness Club: A Harmonious Blend of Fitness and Chinese Garden Aesthetics

Wang Baodong's Innovative Design Approach Transforms Fitness Spaces

Wang Baodong's inspiration for this unique design came from the Chinese garden space. He extracted the essence of walking, appreciation, life, and flow, and reflected these elements in his work. The design uses various garden methods to create a rich space experience, mirroring the emotional changes experienced in a garden. The spatial planning reflects the distinction between "services" and "to be served", offering a thoughtful consideration of the source of movement, fitness, and the relationship between body and mind.

The Fangyuan Fitness Club is unique in its approach to the concept of movement. According to Wang Baodong, movement is divided into two types: physical and spiritual. The former pertains to the body, while the latter is related to the mind. The design of the fitness club is intended to facilitate the emptying of the mind through physical activity, a concept deeply rooted in the Chinese garden design. The core of the garden design was moved to create different space experiences, pursuing the endless effect of the garden.

The realization of this design involved the use of various materials such as stone, wood board, green plants, water, paint, metal, and sports floor. The fitness club spans an area of 1,300 square meters with a storey height of 8.5 meters. The project began in Yangzhou in April 2017 and was completed in August 2017.

The underlying research for this design involved the application of Chinese classical garden techniques to modern architecture, studying humanity and the origin of space. The research methods included frequent visits to classical gardens, collection of numerous Chinese landscape paintings, and building a large space model to look for regularity and differences with western modern architecture. This resulted in the creation of a new level of space.

One of the main challenges in this design was to create a space experience that brings spiritual enjoyment to people. The "Fangyuan fitness club" is not just a place of movement, but also a place of emotional communication, and a place where the team can play together. The club, located in the south of China, integrates Chinese garden features into the space, respecting the choice of space for fitness.

The Fangyuan Fitness Club design by Wang Baodong is a testament to the innovative blend of fitness and traditional Chinese aesthetics. It has not only transformed the concept of fitness spaces but also earned him the prestigious Silver A' Design Award in 2018, a testament to his remarkable expertise and innovation.