reFIT Mode

reFIT approached us with a clear ambition: transform a challenging basement within an 18-storey office retrofit into a fully functional gym that would strengthen the building’s amenity offer and attract new tenants. Working around an unfinished shell and unexpected existing services, we developed the design in-house, collaborating closely with reFIT, TP Bennett, Collins and the wider project team to turn the underused space into a valuable tenant amenity. Our design responded to the constraints of the existing building while creating a high-quality fitness destination tailored to the needs of modern occupiers, incorporating specialist spaces including spin studios and a bespoke golf simulator. 

Project in Brief 

• Fully functional basement gym within an 18-storey office retrofit 

• Full floor screed and wall lining to address the inherited shell 

• Design adapted around previously unrecorded pipework 

• Services coordinated to provide sufficient headroom for overhead weight training 

• Acoustic flooring selected to minimise reverberation from the concrete structure 

• Increased fresh-air provision within the spin studios to support higher-intensity exercise 

• Bespoke golf simulator as a key feature of the gym 

Transforming the Existing Basement 

Before the gym could take shape, the existing basement needed significant remediation. The floor required screeding, walls needed lining and unrecorded pipework meant elements of the design had to adapt to the existing conditions. 

Working closely with subcontractors, we resolved issues within the existing services infrastructure early in the process, helping establish a clear framework for the design and delivery of the new gym. 

Designing for Performance 

The gym required a different approach to a conventional workplace, with every element designed around movement, comfort and performance. 

Careful coordination of services ensured training areas felt open and comfortable to use, while acoustic flooring helped create a more enjoyable exercise environment within the exposed concrete structure.  

A Standout Amenity, Seamlessly Delivered 

A bespoke golf simulator provides a distinctive focal point within the gym, helping elevate the amenity offer beyond a conventional fitness space. 

Finishes were informed by TP Bennett’s wider building design, helping the gym feel connected to the wider workplace. Close coordination with Collins supported delivery alongside the ongoing building works, while surplus flooring was identified for reuse on future projects to help reduce waste.