Boxing is on the rise. Or at least, stylish boxing gyms are. The latest of these to catch our design eye, The Burrow, has launched in Kuwait.
Designed by local studio Lab100 and inspired by the stark nature of retro boxing gyms, it's the first commercial endeavour of its kind in the region.
Cleverly combining an array of materials – including concrete, ceramic tiles, steel, curved glass and natural wood – Lab100 set out to guide visitors effortlessly though its facilities. Starting with the bright, airy lobby, a somewhat narrow corridor of glass and granite guides gym-goers past the locker areas and into the main workout hall. This is where the space really comes into its own.
'Emphasising a natural flow of movement was key', explains the design studio. 'And [maintaining] the element of surprise.'
Sitting in the middle of the 1,000 sq m space is the crowning jewel: an elevated boxing ring, dramatically lit from above by nine hanging pendant lights. Workout areas fan out around it; an elevated CrossFit area to one side, heavyset punch bags on the other.
Skylight openings on the northern wall of the building allows diffused light to trickle in, 'to guarantee a crisp day atmosphere that differs from the evening ambience', explain the designers.
Private classrooms are tucked away to the sides, offering a range of exercise options beyond the heavy combat sports of the sprawling main hall. A mezzanine level creates even more workout space and doubles as a balcony for clean views straight into the ring.
The Burrow boxing studio in Kuwait has launched with a clever design by local studio Lab100
Workout areas fan out around it; an elevated CrossFit area sits to one side, heavyset punch bags to the other
Curved glass walls allow light to flow from one room to the other while creating semi-private spaces
The gym is fitted throughout with state-of-the-art equipment
The gym is fitted throughout with state-of-the-art equipment
Inspired by the stark nature of retro boxing gyms, the local studio has used a number of different materials to produce a minimal but functional space
Information
For more information, visit The Burrow's website
Photography: Nelson Garrido
Address
The Burrow
6th Ring Road
Sahara Kuwait
Kuwait City
-
A new Oxford Street pop-up celebrates IKEA's blue bagsIKEA's iconic blue bag gets its own pop-up concept store, the 'Hus of Frakta'.
-
Audemars Piguet and Kaws have created the Royal Oak Concept watch we didn't know we neededThe Audemars Piguet x Kaws Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon 'Companion' is slick wrist-worn art
-
A friendly rivalry coloured by kinship: Wendy Maruyama and Tom Loeser on their two-artist show'I wanted to make furniture, just not traditional furniture, but weird furniture,' says Wendy Maruyama on ‘Colorama’, a two-artist show presented at design gallery Superhouse (until 11 January 2025)
-
The best gyms around the world for design buffs in 2018 -
Skate park design goes to the British seaside with Guy Hollaway’s F51F51 is Folkestone's brand new, dedicated, multistorey skate park, courtesy of the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust and Hollaway Studio
-
Community centre architecture redefined: Holborn House by 6a and Caragh Thuring opensHolborn House by 6a Architects and Caragh Thuring opens for the Holborn Community Association in London, bridging art and community architecture with people at its heart
-
Pink concrete skatepark is a striking urban landmark in the Chihuahuan DesertA team of architects, landscape designers, sociologists and urban planners came together to create La Duna, a fine example of skatepark architecture on the northern border of Mexico
-
Last chance to play: Yinka Ilori's colourful basketball court in Canary Wharf is a slam dunkArtist and designer Yinka Ilori applied his signature colourful geometries to his design for this new public basketball court in Canary Wharf, London
-
Building muscle: London architecture walks and runsTry these London architecture walks and runs for some physical and intellectual edification
-
Janne Tuunanen captures modernist architecture of renovated Helsinki Olympic StadiumPhotographer Janne Tuunanen captures the sharp modernist architecture of the recently renovated Helsinki Olympic Stadium in Finland in his latest series
-
Yinka Ilori’s colourful skatepark in France is a pillar of the communitySport, street art and community merge in Yinka Ilori’s skatepark in Roubaix, project that is part of Lille’s World Capital of Design 2020
