BIÂN Celebrates 3 Years of Industrial Zen Design by STUDIO K

STUDIO K’s empathetic design ethos still echoes through the 25,000-square-feet of wellness, work, and community spaces comprising BIÂN – Chicago’s premiere health and social club – some three years later in a testament to the multidisciplinary firm’s holistic approach and collaborative workflow. Housed in a bi-level industrial constructing, the great network of spaces – including fitness, recovery, nutrition, medicine or alternative therapies, socialization, and spa – feels more like a biosphere for living than the straightforward summation of programming that constitutes a typical luxury facility with an analogous focus. Forgoing trendy finishes or Insta-friendly set dressings, which regularly pander to contemporary gym-goers seeking to generate content for social currency, BIÂN’s interiors support the services provided as an alternative of functioning as a backdrop for activities.

On the club’s entrance stands a 6’ round table that consists of two halves – one side is the white oak reception desk, which is juxtaposed against a full-sized concrete sink used as a skincare sales counter. Photo: Leslie Blasgen

Soft linen is about against comforting wool fabrics that cascade across windows, offering respite from the bustling city within the social lounge’s fundamental seating area. Photo: Eric Kleinberg

This fundamental bar within the social lounge is finished in leather. Photo: Anthony Tahlier

The social lounge uses white oak and beechwood materials to radiate a relaxing, warm atmosphere. Photo: Eric Kleinberg

The social lounge on the club’s entrance also includes a 14′ custom communal table. Photo: Eric Kleinberg

“We were sure to make use of as many natural materials throughout the club wherever possible: wood, leather, textiles, and lime plaster. As well as, we layered each of those in a solution to create a way of heat and welcoming,” Karen Herold, designer and principal of STUDIO K, says. “[The challenges presented by austere industrial architecture were resolved] by specializing in highly textural, soft but light materials accented with moments of black wood and steel. And we worked with a talented lighting designer to clean the whole space in a glow.” Maximalist textures help minimalist interventions punch up for what all parties involved check with as “industrial zen.” And minimalist touches create contrast by articulating historical elements to create a supercharged visual language.

The staircase leads members from the social lounge right down to the gym and spa facilities. Behind the wood louver screens is the medical facility. Photo: Anthony Tahlier

The sushi counter is positioned on the lower floor and adjoining to the gym showcasing blue vinyl upholstery flanked by the plaster raked columns. Photo: Eric Kleinberg

Members can rent access to a listening room completely sound insulated with a specialty entertainment system and vinyl records. Photo: Anthony Tahlier

The listening room also showcases a every day rotating arrangement of records hand-selected by partner Kevin Boehm. Photo: Eric Kleinberg

Locker rooms include amenities like a steam room, cold plunge, and customised shower experiences. Photo: Eric Kleinberg

The relief lounge and spa positioned on the lower level provides a spot for patrons to attend for his or her treatments or chill out afterwards. The chaise lounges are custom creations by STUDIO K. Photo: Eric Kleinberg

Each ecosystem throughout the larger biome has a spotlight that caters to the moment at hand while allowing for artful transition into the following, which begins upon entry where guests are received at a round apothecary table. Members meander from program to program receiving subtle cues from a neutral-toned concoction of creams, whites, and taupes that progressively shift only to mingle with accents like inky blue furnishings and living greens. A change from linen to wool textiles plays with light and spatial transparency while the density of slatted surface treatments or wood grain patterning affects vibrations resonating from the room.

Patient rooms throughout the medical office suite are outfitted with calm and spa-like interiors to make sure an elevated experience while adhering to regulations that apply to straightforward facilities. Photo: Anthony Tahlier

One in all multiple reformer studios for pilates. Photo: AA SNAPS LLC

Custom gym cubbies, closets, and seating line the hall outside the fundamental fitness studio. Photo: AA SNAPS LLC

“Except for the undeniable fact that our brand is built upon collaboration and integration of philosophies, the way in which that the design lends itself to allowing for every area to have appropriate space while being welcoming to the opposite areas of the club, is just magnificent,” Mar Soraparu, Co-Founder & Chief Wellness Officer of BIÂN, says. “The colour palette, unique features, artistic details, and the comfort and quietness of the lighting decisions that allow for a lot of activities to be done comfortably, and with an opulent feel, exudes BIÂN while offering members pathways to live a more vital life nevertheless they select.”

Members can work or lounge within the 10,000-square-feet of expanded space creating an extension of the fundamental social lounge. Photo: AA SNAPS LLC

The brand new coworking space includes a rust-colored leather wrapped bar for food and berate service, which was inspired by sushi counters. Photo: AA SNAPS LLC

This expanded space hosts many member-only events, in addition to conference gatherings. Photo: AA SNAPS LLC

Successful design elements echo through essentially the most fresh of co-working spaces, inclusive of the architectural finishes, furniture, decorative lighting, and artwork initially curated upon opening. Photo: AA SNAPS LLC