We are pleased to reveal the photos from the final phase of our work on Tangram and Renaissance hotels, F&T’s mega development in Queens, NY. This fitness area serves both the hotel and the residences, and as such had numerous complexities to resolve in its location, access, and adjacencies. Poised above the complex’s elevated garden space, the fitness area enjoys the benefit of natural light, but is far enough away from the hotel rooms and residences to feel like a private space. On the fitness’s area’s West side are fantastic views of Manhattan’s skyline, not to mention glorious sunset views.

Designs for amenity pools can often feel like an afterthought, having harsh lighting and acoustics not conducive to a calming or pleasing experience. Given these concerns, our mission was to devise an aesthetically pleasing space which would simultaneously alleviate these usual lighting and acoustic challenges. The result was the fan-shaped ceiling which allows for recessed and soft lighting, as well as a space for acoustic waves to be broken up. Lighting reflectivity on the water’s surface is minimized through ambient light coves, and an acoustic plaster solution was proposed for the flat surfaces as well. In addition, the pool is salt-water based, so reduced the typically used harmful chemicals.

The salt room follows a similar strategy, using bold, simple forms to create a space of serene calm, while emphasizing the health benefits of the salt immersion. Similarly, the room is lit only with soft recessed linear cove lights, which can be dimmed to further quiet the atmosphere.

For the gym component, we were tasked with providing a sophisticated environment as this space was shared with the residential towers as well as the hotel. The mid-toned wood helps set up a sense of calm and was a way to frame dramatic Manhattan views. Thinking through social scale, we planned the space as a series of differently scaled rooms to create some privacy for the various users, as well as additional program spaces, such as the movement studio, or the separate weight training area. Users in the space appreciate having this degree of privacy.