Ole.Fit Munkka gym, Helsinki

Ole.Fit Munkka is a fully equipped gym located within a six-story office complex. Formerly the headquarters of IBM, the building is now a business center under the Bloomsville umbrella. To make room for the gym, an auditorium and several office spaces were repurposed.

“More and more companies are recognizing employee well-being, and providing opportunities for physical activity, as a key factor for property developers,” says Niina Isojärvi, architect at Tengbom in Helsinki. “For us as architects, designing a gym requires both precision and adaptability.”

Acoustic and material solutions for good neighborly relations

Designing a gym in an office building demands thorough planning. It’s not just about meeting the client’s expectations, but also about managing how the gym affects surrounding tenants and operations. Gyms tend to generate noise: a dropped dumbbell, a treadmill pounding under fast intervals, a lively group training session that erupts in cheers. Noise levels and acoustics are thus among the biggest challenges when integrating a gym into a multi-tenant building. Flooring and material properties must also be considered — along with, not least, ventilation.

“In a renovation project like Ole.Fit Munkka, this equation is not always straightforward,” says Niina. “Another factor to consider is ceiling height, which is also crucial in gym design. There’s a lot of puzzle-solving involved.”

Ventilation and technical systems

One major challenge was integrating the ventilation and technical systems into the ceiling structure without lowering it too much. In the yoga room, we conducted detailed planning for acoustics and ventilation, carefully coordinating HVAC systems and insulation materials to fit within the ceiling.

“We considered leaving the ceiling exposed, which would have looked very refined and elegant,” Niina shares. “But due to the room’s acoustics, we ultimately decided to conceal the equipment above the ceiling.”

The floor soundproofing, however, posed no issues. Beneath the gym are not offices, but rather bike storage and staff locker rooms.

It must be allowed to make noise when exercising

Renovation for improved accessibility

In addition to the gym, the building, originally constructed in 1979 and 1985, is undergoing a full renovation, including a facade update. The completed Ole.Fit Munkka gym spans a total area of 1,544 square meters. It features an open free weights area, a cardio section with treadmills, a large group training studio, a smaller studio for functional training, and a yoga room. There are also private treatment rooms for physiotherapy and massage. Complementing these are showers, saunas, changing rooms, and both work and social spaces for gym staff.

Beyond the planned interior adaptations, the gym also received a new entrance. Previously, entry was from inside the building. During the renovation, we expanded a rear staircase that had served as a back door, transforming it into the main entrance and adding a new entryway from the outside. This also made the entrance accessible.

The interiors evoke a sense of luxury. The brown color palette on walls and ceilings pairs harmoniously with wooden wall and ceiling panels. The lighting design ensures the spaces feel ambient, not dark.

Gym projects require coordination

In close dialogue with the contractors, the gym chain Ole.Fit, and their interior design firm Sisustusarkkitehdit Kalliomaa Oy, we conducted a thorough assessment of the spatial character, functionality, lighting, and materials.

“There was a lot of coordination involved. We held many meetings to align Ole.Fit’s wishes with the timelines and needs of other parties,” says Niina.

The goal was to find solutions that would satisfy everyone — without compromising the final outcome. Despite a tight schedule, Ole.Fit Munkka opened in autumn 2023 and is now operational. Another gym project by Tengbom’s Helsinki office is Elixia Circus, which opened in November 2021. Elixia Circus is located in the former concert and nightclub venue The Circus on Arkadiagatan in Helsinki. For locals, the building is known as the Innotalo, designed by Einari Teräsvirta.