Situated in the extraordinary landscape of Kathmandu valley, the design of the Gym remains cognizant of its multiple contexts- the dense urban fabric in its immediate vicinity and the great Himalayan mountains looming in the background; simultaneously distant and close in their presence.
The design tries to bring nature inside an activity which over the years has become more closed-door and isolated in its pursuit of the perfect body. It attempts to embody a more holistic ideal of fitness and health, based on a sense of community gathering; much in line with the ‘gymnós’ of early Greek tradition. To achieve this, it was conceived as a pavilion; with a structure so light and transparent that it lets nature in with only the trees forming a natural enclosure; while also fulfilling the technical requirements of a gym.
Project status : Completed
Pratyush Shankar 