The Grounding at Mason and Fifth Designed for Modern Wellness
Chris Hull sat down with HCM Magazine to discuss the importance of gym design, specifically in the wellness space. Showcasing this is The Grounding by Mason & Fifth.
The Brief
The brief was to design a gym that embodies strength and holistic wellness, welcoming both experienced athletes and beginners. A neutral, natural palette and calm atmosphere were key, with equipment and layout supporting everything from traditional strength training to mobility and small group sessions, without clutter or overwhelming the space.
Installation
The Grounding is a beautifully curated wellness destination. Designed to complement the refined, natural interiors of the building, it seamlessly combines a gym, class studio, pool, sauna and steam rooms and treatment suites.
Design details were chosen to create a grounding, calm environment away from the high-intensity aesthetic often associated with fitness. This was a collaboration between performance-led equipment design and a boutique residential wellness vision, with BLK BOX manufacturing custom-coloured bespoke equipment to match the space – a facility that feels relaxing and functional.
Outstanding Features
The Grounding was designed with the athlete’s journey at its core. Members are welcomed with a calming space featuring dedicated stretching and mobilisation areas, setting the tone before they even touch a weight.
The gym flows intuitively, from open-floor functional zones, into areas with space-saving pin-loaded machines, through to an area with a custom-built functional rig with integrated cables and Smith machine. The free weights zone is compact and intentional. Every material and colour was selected to complement Mason and Fifth’s interior palette, with dark taupe Foundation flooring and racking in subtle neutral tones.
Built for the Future
Unlike typical five-year installations, The Grounding was built for longevity. Centred on timeless training principles and BLK BOX modular equipment, it can adapt to changing needs by reconfiguring or upgrading without a full overhaul. With ongoing servicing and maintenance, it’s designed to perform at a high standard for over a decade.
The Grounding embraces key trends: strength-focused training with holistic wellness, hybrid spaces balancing group and solo sessions, functional movement and recovery as a core element. Space-efficient, open layouts support varied movement, while premium design and a neutral palette create a calm, non-intimidating feel that blends luxury with practical performance.