Gym Town in Hong Kong was "inspired by Elon Musk's vision of colonising Mars"

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Gym Town in Hong Kong by MR Studio

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Gym Town in Hong Kong by MR Studio

In Hong Kong’s fast-paced Central District, local practice MR Studio has modelled this fitness studio on a futuristic Martian dwelling to offer members an escape from their busy lives.

Gym Town’s entryway and reception are finished entirely in an an earthy shade of orange, chosen to reflect the colours of Mars, while moody black workout areas were designed to allow visitors to focus on their individual health goals.

Entrance escalator of Gym Town in Hong Kong by MR Studio
Gym Town is entered via a dramatic escalator

“We wanted to create a unique and immersive experience for gym-goers,” MR Studio founder Myron Kwan told Dezeen. “The concept of Mars was chosen to represent escapism and a sense of adventure.”

“Inspired by Elon Musk’s vision of colonising Mars, we wanted to create a space that felt futuristic and cutting-edge.”

Lobby and reception of Gym Town
The gym’s reception doubles as a lounge

The studio created a bespoke sculptural lighting piece that can be seen from the street to create a sense of intrigue about the gym.

From the entrance, members are taken up to the lobby by an escalator. In a bid to make this ascent feel like an event, MR Studio turned the space into a tunnel-like “portal” that provides a sense of voyage.

Seating area in Hong Kong gym by MR Studio
Bespoke lights were modelled on satellite dishes

Around the escalator, the walls undulate to create a series of vertical ridges, designed to add depth and visual interest while suggesting walls that have buckled under the heat of the red planet.

“By using the tunnel-like form, we wanted to create a visually striking feature that would set the tone for the entire space,” Kwan said.

“The tunnel creates a sense of anticipation and excitement as guests enter,” he added. “The design itself aims to transport visitors to another world.

Skylight in Gym Town lobby
Decorative rocks are fixed to the ceiling

The escalator delivers members into a large reception area, arranged as a lounge with various seating areas.

One of the challenges of the project was the absence of natural light, which MR Studio addressed with a feature ceiling light.

Composed of concentric circles with an illuminated core, it suggests both a natural skylight and the crater-studded terrain of Mars.

Curves and circles feature heavily throughout Gym Town, from wavy walls and rounded furniture to lights inspired by the form of a satellite dish.

“Custom-made table lamps adorned with sleek metal finishes and cracked glass details capture the silhouette of high-gain antennas used in space exploration,” the studio explained.

The room is centred on a semi-circular brass-wrapped reception desk, which doubles as a bar during events or after-hours gatherings.

Bathroom inside Hong Kong gym by MR Studio
Rooms get progressively darker

The walls here feature the same dusty red-orange finish as the entrance tunnel, while decorative rocks are fixed to the ceiling.

“Envisioned as a modern Martian house, the space is painted in a textured monochromatic palette of tangerine, referencing the iconic red planet’s signature colour and rough terrain,” said Kwan.

“It adds vibrancy and warmth to the space, creating a visually intriguing element that complements the overall design theme.”

Workout area inside Hong Kong gym by MR Studio
The workout areas are finished in muted black and grey tones

Progressing into the changing rooms, workout areas and studios, the colour palette shiftsto more sober greys and blacks.

“To encourage members to fully devote to their fitness routines, the workout area is grounded in an organic and unpretentious style,” the studio said.

Overview of workout areas inside Gym Town
Orange accents delineate different areas

Gym Town has been shortlisted in the health and wellbeing interior category at this year’s Dezeen Awards.

Also in the running is the dusty-pink welfare centre of a boys’ school in Melbourne and a pediatric clinic in Seattle with “no blank walls”.

The photography is by Steven Ko.

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