DESIGN : We take a look around Philippe Starck’s Le Nuage ‘inflatable’ health club in France
Philippe Starck’s first company was set up to create inflatable objects in the 1960s. Almost 50 years later and his designs have become increasingly ambitious. We take a look around his ‘inflatable’ health club in Montpellier, France
![Philippe Starck / PHOTO: JAMES BORT Philippe Starck / PHOTO: JAMES BORT](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/906281_449515.jpg)
French designer Philippe Starck has created an ‘inflatable’ health club in Montpelier, France, by cladding the building with fluorine-based ETFE to create a bubble-like façade housing fitness facilities over five floors.
Opened in October 2014, Le Nuage club (‘nuage’ means ‘cloud’ in French) includes a fitness studio and gym, swimming pool, café, children’s area, hairdressers and beauty salon. The striking interior features a range of Starck-designed furniture; the exterior can change colour with the use of special lighting.
Roxim, the developer, says the building was inspired by the gymnasiums developed into baths during the Greek and Roman times, which were designed to be places for both training and relaxation.
“The beauty and richness of life arises from diversity, translucency and projections,” said Starck.
He continues: “This building is the opposite of an architectural gesture. It is a ‘nearly nothing’; an urban space, a chaotic and free town, a magic bubble – virtually indestructible, even though it only has the thickness of a few tenths of a millimetre. Le Nuage is a factory of energy for everyone and for the town of Montpellier.”
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![Philippe Starck's ‘inflatable’ health club in Montpellier, France Philippe Starck's ‘inflatable’ health club in Montpellier, France](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/HIGH601834_368532.jpg)
![The health club was designed with a series of air-filled ‘pillows’ on the façade to give an impression of lightness The health club was designed with a series of air-filled ‘pillows’ on the façade to give an impression of lightness](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/HIGH41756_51828.jpg)
![The minimalist, industrial-style gym features equipment from Technogym The minimalist, industrial-style gym features equipment from Technogym](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/HIGH520604_886515.jpg)
![Philippe Starck furniture has been used throughout the facility, which is spread over five floors Philippe Starck furniture has been used throughout the facility, which is spread over five floors](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/HIGH362045_904005.jpg)
![The building is clad with fluorine-based ETFE, which can change colour with altered lighting The building is clad with fluorine-based ETFE, which can change colour with altered lighting](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/HIGH314739_577382.jpg)
![The design features industrial-looking surfaces and exposed pipework,
mixed with flashes of colour The design features industrial-looking surfaces and exposed pipework,
mixed with flashes of colour](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/HIGH655657_719574.jpg)
![Design features Design features](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/HIGH256455_844871.jpg)
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