Architecture News

Canobardin's vision for Moof Fitness Studio in Madrid transcends the conventional gym interior, instead presenting a pioneering modular and adaptable architectural framework. This innovative approach envisions a prototype for an expanding chain of fitness centers, characterized by a flexible design language built upon prefabricated, dry-assembled elements. These components offer the unique ability to be constructed, disassembled, and reconfigured with ease over time. Far from treating a gym as a static space, the studio champions a dynamic system that can evolve across diverse settings while preserving a cohesive architectural identity.

The interior layout thoughtfully divides the training area into two primary zones: floor exercises and strength training, seamlessly connected within an expansive open plan. Rather than relying on solid barriers, the design ingeniously employs perforated metal sheeting as its dominant architectural feature. This material, drawing inspiration from industrial aesthetics, subtly screens views, modulates light, and guides movement. It creates nuanced layers of privacy while ensuring a continuous visual flow throughout the space. As natural light streams through these perforations, the interior comes alive with shifting patterns of shadows and reflections, marking the passage of time and the rhythm of activities.

Crafted by Studio Canobardin, this project also endeavors to cultivate a more tranquil and welcoming fitness environment, consciously diverging from the often overstimulating aesthetics found in many gym settings. This intention is underscored by a refined material selection. Powder-coated structural elements in a warm Melongelb RAL 1028 yellow inject a sense of warmth, while technical white surfaces enhance brightness and spatial clarity. Strategic electric blue accents serve to delineate graphic and directional elements, completing a palette that promotes focus and serenity. This distinctive design language extends to the building's exterior, where a double skin of perforated metal acts as a mediator between the indoor activities and the bustling streetscape. Folded metal signage extends from the facade, forming a dynamic, three-dimensional graphic that transforms with varying light conditions and viewing angles. A continuous illuminated band further strengthens the connection between the energy within and the urban environment outside. Through the Moof Fitness Studio, architects Bárbara Bardín and Julio Cano successfully redefine the gym experience as a user-centric, adaptable, and repeatable system.

The Moof Fitness Studio by Canobardin represents a forward-thinking model for contemporary fitness spaces. By embracing modularity and a sophisticated material palette, the design achieves both functional adaptability and a serene, inclusive atmosphere. This innovative approach, where light, transparency, and a considered color scheme redefine the gym experience, exemplifies how thoughtful architecture can enhance well-being and foster a positive connection with the surrounding urban fabric.

Cecilia Vicuña's latest exhibition, 'El Glaciar Ido' (The Vanished Glacier), transforms the grand Manica Lunga at Castello di Rivoli into an immersive artistic landscape. This monumental installation, stretching over a hundred meters, reinterprets the ancient Andean quipu – a system of knotted cords used for millennia to record information – as a vibrant, breathing entity. Vicuña, known for her 'Arte Precario,' employs raw materials like bamboo and unprocessed wool to create a powerful statement about receding glaciers, the enduring legacy of Indigenous cultures, and the capacity of natural elements to hold collective memories, offering Italy its first extensive look at her solo museum work.

Vicuña's artistic vision, deeply embedded in her practice of 'Arte Precario,' champions the use of ephemeral materials and collaborative creation, drawing inspiration from ancestral crafts. Since the 1960s, her installations have reimagined discarded items and natural fibers into pieces that blur the lines between sculpture, ritual, and performance. At Castello di Rivoli, this philosophy culminates in a colossal 'quipu acostado' – a 'lying-down' quipu that meanders through the historic gallery. This installation serves not merely as an exhibit but as an interactive experience, inviting visitors into a profound dialogue with the artwork, as curator Marcella Beccaria emphasizes.

This profound work extends beyond the visual, incorporating poetry and sound to deepen its emotional resonance. New poems adorn the gallery walls, while video works, such as 'Semiya' (Seed Song) (2015) and 'Quipu Mapocho' (2017), feature Vicuña's voice, songs, and performances, further exploring themes of water, memory, and Indigenous wisdom. Through this multifaceted approach, Vicuña asserts that poetry, language, and gesture are as potent as fiber and wool in preserving histories. The creative process itself was a collective endeavor, beginning with Vicuña's symbolic request for permission from the surrounding mountains, a gesture that underscores the communal and spiritual essence of her art, even if undocumented for the public.

Cecilia Vicuña's 'El Glaciar Ido' stands as a poignant reminder of our interconnectedness with nature, history, and community. Her reimagining of the quipu serves as a vibrant, living archive, urging us to recognize the wisdom embedded in ancestral practices and the urgent need to preserve both our natural environment and cultural heritage. The exhibition champions the idea that art can be a catalyst for collective memory, fostering a deeper appreciation for the planet and the invaluable knowledge passed down through generations.