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Project Name: Hanger GYM
Team: Amir Lahouti
Instructors: Kevin Bernard Moultrie Daye, Adam Fure
Year: 2022
Location: Portage, Michigan, US
Category: Studio (Foundation)


The project involved selecting a site of our choice while working within an assigned program—a recreation center. The chosen site is a single-story hangar located on the east side of Portage Road within the Kalamazoo Airport environment. Its structure is predominantly composed of metal, with concrete walls and a ceiling made of metal sheets. The building features two entrances on opposite sides—one is a sliding door, while the other is a hinged, flip-style door.

Inside, slightly elevated above the main floor, is a small enclosed space that appears to serve as an office. Beyond this, the interior remains largely undivided, maintaining an open layout.





A knolled kit of parts diagram illustrates the various materials used in the building, including aluminum HVAC ducts, lighting fixtures, wooden partitions, concrete blocks, hangar doors, metal beams, and I-beams. The research was conducted based on the needs of neighboring communities and aviation clubs, recognizing the lack of a recreation center in the area. As a result, the project examines the benefits of physical exercise for pilots and identifies optimal training regimens. Given the presence of multiple pilot training centers at the Kalamazoo Airport, the space is reimagined as a dedicated sports training facility for student pilots. Additionally, residents of the neighboring communities in Portage and Kalamazoo will have access to this facility.




The proposed redesign introduces a two-story layout. The first floor remains open and continuous, while the second floor consists of enclosed spaces at varying elevations, interconnected by passages, ramps, and stairs. The second floor was designed to create the sensation that spaces are suspended from structural elements, giving them a floating appearance within the hangar.

The second floor houses a sports club with three primary rooms—two designated for aerobic and warm-up exercises and one for powerlifting. Additional facilities include a yoga and spa room, changing rooms, wind tunnels, and a lobby.

Furthermore, the second floor features two pools—one designed for water aerobics and the other for swimming and specialized training, such as egress exercises. A parallax video provides a comprehensive visualization of the spatial organization on the second floor, demonstrating how, despite the number of rooms, activities remain clearly visible. These rooms are suspended within a Vierendeel truss structure, allowing for a column-free first floor, enhancing spatial fluidity and flexibility.













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