The Box

The proposal gained planning consent within the greenbelt by utilising the space under an existing rugby grandstand. Situated beneath a unique steel-framed structure and stepped concrete seating, the insertion houses open gym spaces, changing rooms and front of house facilities including a tea/juice bar.

Orientated directly east-west, the Box benefits from even northern light filtered through milky corrugated roof lights, whilst the facing elevations are constructed from simple stud work, and clad in polycarbonate panels. The extruded lineal space, amalgamated by a black rubber floor, create distinct zones for the varying activities involved in the sport including rope climbs, gymnastic rings and muscle ups.

Externally, the whole structure is sheathed in bitumen corrugated roofing whilst all internal walls are clad voluminously in economical plywood, emphasising the rhythmical kit-part host structure. The tectonics of the sports equipment and exposed services add a final layer to the architectural anatomy of the internal environment ensuring a raw, robust and uncompromising aesthetic.

The project relied heavily upon sheet materials, economies of scale and deliverability by local contractors. A distinct entry is carved into the extrusion and contributes to the natural ventilation strategy. This realisation of the Box, is the just the start of a comprehensive vision for the CrossFit company; an enabling base for international competitions prevalent in the USA.

Photography by Nick Kane