Gianluca Grassano Vittorio Sezzella
Inspiration for a large contemporary multipurpose gym in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors and grey floor.

Penthouse Apartment

Woodford Architecture and Interiors

Richard Downer We were winners in a limited architectural competition for the design of a stunning new penthouse apartment, described as one of the most sought after and prestigious new residential properties in Devon. Our brief was to create an exceptional modern home of the highest design standards. Entrance into the living areas is through a huge glazed pivoting doorway with minimal profile glazing which allows natural daylight to spill into the entrance hallway and gallery which runs laterally through the apartment. A huge glass skylight affords sky views from the living area, with a dramatic polished plaster fireplace suspended within it. Sliding glass doors connect the living spaces to the outdoor terrace, designed for both entertainment and relaxation with a planted green walls and water feature and soft lighting from contemporary lanterns create a spectacular atmosphere with stunning views over the city. The design incorporates a number of the latest innovations in home automation and audio visual and lighting technologies including automated blinds, electro chromic glass, pop up televisions, picture lift mechanisms, lutron lighting controls to name a few. The design of this outstanding modern apartment creates harmonised spaces using a minimal palette of materials and creates a vibrant, warm and unique home

Gym

Haver & Skolnick LLC Architects

The building's original carriage entrance provides the perfect space for the family's gym. Robert Benson Photography
Large traditional multipurpose gym in New York with multi-coloured walls and light hardwood floors.

Pink Multipurpose Gym Design Ideas

A home gym can be a worthwhile investment, helping you maintain a healthy lifestyle, and saving you money in the long-run, too. All you need is a small exercise nook or a spare room that can be stocked with gym equipment. Strapped for cash? Workouts at home needn’t cost a cent; just throw down an exercise mat at the foot of your bed and voila. Home gym equipment can be large and bulky – a cross trainer, rowing machine or bench press, for example, will dominate most rooms. There are, however, alternative options for getting fit. Before you start planning the space, decide on what you actually enjoy doing, and what equipment you will get the most use out of. Depending on your budget and interests, you could have a yoga studio, meditation room, weights room, basketball court or even a dance studio. Browse the photos on Houzz for ideas and inspiration for home gyms, and save your favourites to an ideabook. Once you're ready, you can find the architect or interior designer to help bring your vision to life.

What kind of home gym should I have?

To get the most out of your home gym, plan a space that will allow you to incorporate many different fitness regimes. A spare room can be transformed into a hub for aerobics, yoga, pilates, kickboxing, dancing and cardio – just add timber floorboards or rubber flooring, a mirrored wall, an exercise machine, some dumbbells, a TV and a killer sound system. This way, there’s something for the whole family. If you have the space and enjoy doing specific workouts, consider making a specialty room like a yoga studio.

How do I create a double-duty exercise room?

Make the most of your home gym by making it a dual-purpose room. You could combine your gym with an office space, playroom, guest bedroom or garage, for example. Consider which space is most practical. A treadmill in your bedroom won’t be ideal if you workout at the crack of dawn while your partner is still sleeping; likewise, you won’t want to lift weights in a garage that turns into a sweatbox in the summer because it isn’t insulated.

What kind of home gym equipment do I need?

Again, this depends on what you enjoy doing most. Yoga mats, dumbbells and punching bags are popular purchases, or you could splurge on big-ticket items like a treadmill or multi-functional home gym system. Additional extras to help get you in the zone include a sound system, wall-mounted TV, as well as a mini bar to store cold drinks. Don’t forget to allow for efficient ventilation and cooling.