Social simulators

By Josh Walker 18 : 01 : 2017 InSports : Powerhouse Company : Beijing

Beijing – Architecture and interior design firm Powerhouse Company has developed inSports, a skiing and sports centre that includes virtual sports facilities and a nightclub.

The space is fitted with projectors to create digital environments, and includes virtual sports simulators
Open as a skiing and sports centre in the day, during the evening it is transformed into a nightclub

Located on the ground floor of the Yintai Centre in Beijing’s Guomao district, the space acts as a multifunctional social venue and enables users to participate in activities such as virtual skiing, a snowboard simulator and endurance classes. Encouraging users to participate in wellness activities in a social setting, it has been designed so that projections on the wall and floor can create a variety of computer-generated environments.

With the integration of the simulators, users can try virtual sports by moving their skis or snowboard to a digital, scenic backdrop. At night, the space is transformed into a nightclub, with the inclusion of a DJ booth.

The project, with its full glass façade, has been given huge exposure in China’s capital city. It was designed by Powerhouse Company and is the latest addition to John Portman’s Yintai Centre, which also includes residences and a Park Hyatt hotel.

The Big Picture

With consumers becoming more open to the idea of participating in wellness activities in a public space, brands are beginning to adapt their retail spaces with experiential technology. See how Nike used CGI and light installations to create an immersive workout experience in our Briefing article.