French fitness center wrapped in a bubble-like façade

Known for his extensive portfolio in furniture, product and industrial design, Phillipe Stark has stepped into the field of architecture with his Le Nuage (The Cloud) fitness and wellness building in Montpellier, France. The notion of transparency was the theme in creating the distinctive façade.

Recognized as “the first inflatable building in France,” the exterior evokes a light, airy quality and experiments with innovative architectural methods; to create the unique façade, the air-filled bubble were formed using ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) to produce the impression of aerial lightness and also give a distorted view of the activities inside.

The five-level building features an array of health and fitness facilities, a cafe, pool and children’s area, which have been fitted with Starck’s distinctive furniture.