New Athletic Space Opens in Seattle's Columbia Center

Best Practice Architecture reimagined several former retail storefront spaces to design WORKout, the newest hospitality amenity to open in Seattle's iconic Columbia Center.

With a bold use of color, lighting, graphics and materials, the 7,750 square foot location features large, open work-out areas for innovative new equipment, a studio for classes, spa-like locker rooms, and a private massage suite. Taking ownership of not only the design of each space,

Best Practice developed the creative for WORKout's graphics, coloring, and naming – curating a new kind of exercise environment geared towards excitement, freedom-of-movement, and luxury in every way.

New storefront glazing unites the formerly disparate spaces, providing a continuous facade along the corridor just opposite the grand staircase in the double-height atrium. Super cool herringbone wood paneling and lit signage designed by the Best Practice team lead you to the new entry to WORKout, where front desk staff sit ready to welcome guests. Warm, dark colors are juxtaposed with dynamic imagery, and expansive mirrors–all working to create an active atmosphere that emanates a sense of private luxury while mitigating the lack of natural light in the space.

A bright, wood paneled portal acts as a clever separation between novice equipment and the more advanced pieces, creating an intuitive flow of people through the space. The exercise studio is a light and luminous room with storefront windows along one side, and mirrors and a large sliding glass door that connects back to the main gym on the other side. Storefront graphics shield studio-goers from those outside but allow peek-a-boo views of the action inside.

As the city continues to grow, there is an increasing need to have food, drink, and exercise available right where life and work happens–decreasing the need for private transportation and increasing city-living convenience. WORKout serves as a crucial element in that equation: Bringing clean, bright luxury to everyday exercise. The locker rooms contrast the workout spaces by setting a calm tone, giving members a luxe environment to relax and get ready for their day. Italian tiled walls and floors echo the geometry and colors from the workout spaces, providing a bright counterpoint to Columbia Center’s dramatic exterior.

Quartz surfaces surround visitors in the airy main locker space, replete with white oak wood vanities, benches and herringbone paneled walls. Locally designed light fixtures complement the handsome fittings and fixtures with black framed mirrors and shower doors, creating cohesion and style, while pops of color delight and
reference the connected exercise area. A vitalizing new part of Columbia Center, WORKout showcases Best Practice’s reputation for creating welcoming, energizing spaces, from the architectural level to the final branding detail.

ADDITIONAL PROJECT DETAILS

LOCATION

Downtown Seattle, Columbia Center Atrium

ADDRESS

701 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104

AREA

7.750 sf or 720 sq.m

PHOTO CREDIT

Rafael Soldi (www.rafaelsoldi.com)

DESIGN TEAM

Ian Butcher
Kailin Gregga - Lead
Emily Li
Aman Panach

CLIENT/OWNER

GAW Capital Partners

CONTRACTOR

Unimark Construction

COLLABORATORS
Lighting Consultant: Lighting Designs, Inc
Custom Locker Room Lighting: Fixture Design Studio
Logo Design: Kevin Bauer
Environmental Graphics: Best Practice Architecture
Specialty Signage Fabrication: Messenger Corp
Gym Consultant: Exos
Equipment: Precor

PRODUCTS

Locker rooms

Lighting: Custom Locker room fixtures by Fixture Design Studio
Tile: Ceramica Vogue Shade Cut, Ceramica Vogue GRAPH
Counter tops: Teltos Calacutta Bhorghini

Gym

Plae Achieve Rubber Flooring
Plae Attack Turf Flooring
Koncept Z bar Bird Pendant Light Fixture
Custom Lit Signage