Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 39
By Sheila Kim
Photography
by Will Pryce
E is for Elegant
A traditional bank interior is transformed
into a modern temple of fitness.
Converted from a historic
bank, E by Equinox retains
some of its original
character-from ceiling
medallions to marble
columns-juxtaposed with
new, industrial-chic elements
such as black metal-mesh
guardrails and minimalist
timber-stick chandeliers.
Just minutes from London's theater district and Buckingham Palace,
a majestic neoclassical building offers glimpses through tall arched
windows of a chic new interior. Intricate molding, a soaring
ornamental ceiling, marble columns, and varied lounge seating and
banquettes could indicate a new hotel or nightlife venue has
opened-but they're actually elements of a fitness club that The
Telegraph labeled "the U.K.'s swankiest gym"-E by Equinox.
It's not so unexpected to anyone familiar with the American
company: A mega fitness company, it boasts a portfolio of brands
from the no-frills Blink and spinning-dedicated SoulCycle to
signature high-end Equinox and even more exclusive E by Equinox
clubs, where personal attention, training, pampering, and valet
services are par for the course. "St. James's Square is known for its
proximity to the royal palace, Hyde Park, and numerous luxury retail
and hotel brands, making it a high-end and fashionable part of
London to live in," says Peter O'Donnell, principal at the London
studio of Woods Bagot. With this posh demographic in mind, the
architect and his team worked alongside interior design firm
Joyce Wang Studio to convert the once conservative bank interior
into a uniquely contemporary fitness destination.
First impressions matter
Formerly the flagship of Lloyds Bank, the building is within the
city's St. James's Conservation Area, making it historically significant.
Thus, the architects kept exterior alterations to a minimum, mostly
in the form of louvers at the basement level on the St. James and
King Street elevations to conceal mechanical ventilation.
A pair of sleek frameless glass entrance doors provide
a sneak peek of the coming attractions. Preserved stately elements-
the double-height ceiling and arches, marble cladding and columns,
moldings, and an existing mezzanine-successfully intermingle with
an industrial-chic palette. After checking in at one of two reception
desks, guests encounter a curving balustrade that frames the
staircase descending to the lower level and its locker rooms.
contract
Contract Magazine - September 2019
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract Magazine - September 2019
Contract Magazine - September 2019
Contents
Editorial
Industry News
Contract Ready: DWR
Product Briefs Design Is in the Details
Fosbury & Sons Boitsfor Constantin Brodzki and Going East
Stumptown Jessica Helgerson Interior Design and TBD Architecture
E by Equinox Woods Bagot and Joyce Wang
Exterior Detail Bendheim | Custom Glass Facade
ICFF 2019 Wrap-Up
competition ICFF Constellation Awards
Design Impacts Today A roundtable discussion at ICFF discussed the most relevant issues we are facing today.
Matrix: Innovative Materials Material Matters
Matrix: Building Products Building Fundamentals
2019 IIDA Best of Latin America Design Awards
Designers Select: Seating
Backpage Color Journey: Andreu World
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Contract Magazine - September 2019
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Cover2
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 1
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 2
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 3
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 4
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 5
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Contents
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 7
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 8
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 9
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 10
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 11
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 12
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 13
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Editorial
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 15
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 16
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 17
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Industry News
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 19
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Contract Ready: DWR
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 21
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Product Briefs Design Is in the Details
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 23
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 24
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 25
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Fosbury & Sons Boitsfor Constantin Brodzki and Going East
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 27
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 28
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 29
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 30
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 31
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Stumptown Jessica Helgerson Interior Design and TBD Architecture
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 33
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 34
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 35
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 36
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 37
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - E by Equinox Woods Bagot and Joyce Wang
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 39
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 40
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 41
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 42
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 43
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Exterior Detail Bendheim | Custom Glass Facade
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 45
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 46
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 47
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - ICFF 2019 Wrap-Up
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 49
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 50
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 51
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 52
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 53
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 54
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 55
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - competition ICFF Constellation Awards
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 57
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 58
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 59
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 60
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 61
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 62
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 63
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 64
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 65
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 66
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 67
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Design Impacts Today A roundtable discussion at ICFF discussed the most relevant issues we are facing today.
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 69
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Matrix: Innovative Materials Material Matters
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 71
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Matrix: Building Products Building Fundamentals
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 73
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 2019 IIDA Best of Latin America Design Awards
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 75
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 76
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 77
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 78
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 79
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 80
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 81
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 82
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 83
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 84
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 85
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Designers Select: Seating
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - 87
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Backpage Color Journey: Andreu World
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Cover3
Contract Magazine - September 2019 - Cover4
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