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Les Mills Gym, Hutt City
When Les Mills appointed us they had the building, the design concept, a budget and a timetable. A tight budget and a tight timetable. But most importantly, they had a vision and a passion.
They wanted this gym to be the best they had developed. They wanted every visit to be a constantly changing theatrical experience. So they wanted us to integrate into the process specialised graphics and lighting systems. We also had to allow for part of the building to be subdivided; important for funding the gym development.
None of the issues we faced in this development was extraordinary. Tight deadlines, tight budgets and juggling competing priorities are part and parcel of our work. What was extraordinary was what we can only describe as the client's uncompromising vision. No matter how difficult it was to make something work, they would work with us to find a way. Everything was possible. Decisions, often quite complex, were made on the spot. No fuss. No equivocation. Let's just get on with it.
This drive and enthusiasm flowed down through all members of the project. We had a contractor for whom this was a major project. They were working seven days a week, not because they necessarily had to but because they wanted to. The same with the subs. Parts of the project they were handing over two weeks early, ensuring that the gym equipment could be installed and tested. On the days leading up to the opening, the contractors and subs were bringing in fellow colleagues to show what they had done, such was their sense of pride.
On 31 August 2006, the doors of Les Mills Gym, Lower Hutt, opened for the first Group Fitness Class. An hour before that the contractors were still working to make sure that the automatic doors could open. Which they did. Fortunately. Successfully.
Winner of BeST Design Gold Award 2007 - read more
Read the Trends magazine feature on this project
"The Building Intelligence Group understood our brand and the unique experience we were trying to create for our members, and delivered precisely on our vision."
Reece Zondag, CEO, Les Mills New Zealand
Les Mills' partnership with The Building Intelligence Group involves nationwide projects, including the flagship Auckland Club and new Christchurch Club.