Introduction

In October 2004, I etched the word ‘Ironman’ onto my calendar for the first time. Over the course of the year to follow, Ironman never really lingered far from my immediate mind. Initially, the event loomed as a broad concept without my true understanding of what it would take to get there. As a self trained athlete I ‘reverse engineered’ the race and enjoyed creating what I thought it would take. Of course my girlfriend who was also training for the same event for her first time was being coached by the great Karen Smyers, so it didn’t hurt to sneak a peak at her plan for a little inspiration. Through planning, training and preparation I began to bring that day into focus. Training for Ironman becomes a lifestyle. In fact, I’d say that compared to the training and all of the prep work leading up to it, IM is almost the easy part. Almost.


As an architect with some experience in urban planning, I became increasingly aware of the difficulties and challenges of training ‘out of’ my living space and within the larger context of living in downtown Boston. Living in an apartment loft gave me a unique opportunity to design the ‘fit-out’ however I pleased. I’m quite sure that the original architects of my building did not envision a Rockwall, yoga room, an indoor mountain bike track, or even storage for five bicycles and a kayak. My fit-out design did.

It was through this work initially of adapting our loft space to the activities of our lifestyle that lead to the ideals of FitSpace.

In July of 2007, the day after Ironman USA in Lake Placid, registration opened on-line for the event in 2008. IM USA 2008 would mark Ironman’s 10th anniversary in Lake Placid, NY. Thirteen minutes after registration for the event opened on-line it was sold out. Triathlon, and Multisport in general, is here to stay, that much is clear and Triathlon as a lifestyle is clearly becoming increasingly recognized.

The comcepts of FitSpace are relatively simple and congruous with the way that many of us live already. I love the Nike expression ‘Just Do It.’ FitSpace helps us to overcome those things that stand in our way such as our lack of organization, motivation, space or the right kind of spaces that surround us. Imagine a living space that beckoned you to play with a climbing wall, an indoor running area or a mountainbike track complete with ramps and tight corners. More importantly, the living areas are organized in a way to get you out. Going for a run? I challenge you to start the clock not at the second before your first step outside but at the moment the thought first enters your mind inside.

F i t S p a c e

The concepts of FitSpace encompass all aspects of our physical environment from the master planning of the community that we live to the t-shirt that we wear (style). FitSpace as an idealogy espouses Victorian Era planning and design which did little to address our needs for active living (unless you were the house painter!). Our architecture is struggling to reinvent itself as our technology and culture blasts off from the age in which we still build. I once showed a client some pictures of his home under construction and his jaw dropped, ‘look at all that wood.’ For the most part, the way we build today is little different from the way houses were built 200 years ago (before the invention of the automobile!).

What has changed most significantly is what I would call the design components of buildings (specifically houses) and not the architecture. For example, modern appliances are a wonderful thing; the dishwasher scrubs the dishes while the washing machine scrubs the clothes. The microwave blasts our food nice and hot and a quick internet search instantly puts all information at our fingertips. These are modern amenities that we all by now take for granted. Arguably, the greatest benefit of these amenities is our vast increase in leisure time. For many of us who train regularly or enjoy lots of activity in our life ‘leisure’ time is a huge asset. When I talk to someone who regularly trains for Ironman I am most interested not in their IM training but in everything else they do that allows them to train! For me, that’s the real puzzle of Ironman.

The FitSpace ideology is really one of problem solving and creating solutions to the puzzle of maximizing space and time for one purpose; physical action and interaction. Rene Descarte’s philosophy continues to resonate with me especially at a time when obesity in our society has become an epidemic. Consider the following:

“What philosophers call the mind body problem originated with Descartes. In Descartes' philosophy the mind is essentially a thinking thing, while the body is essentially an extended thing - something which occupies space. Descartes held that there is two way causal interaction between these two quite different kinds of substances. So, the body effects the mind in perception, and the mind effects the body in action. But how is this possible? How can an unextended thing effect something in space. How can something in space effect and unextended thing?”

Today, those modern amenities that have liberated us from our daily chores have given us vast amounts of leisure time. And statistically speaking we americans are most likely to spend our leisure time being leisurely. That is, our flat screen TV sets are getting bigger and bigger and the accompanying surround sound transports you (sitting on your couch) right into the action. There has become a huge disconnect between the mind and body in a way that is truly unique to this time in our history. FitSpace seeks to reconnect our bodies to the everyday practice of living.

FitSpace Planning:
Mater planning is an important aspect of FitSpace. Conceptually, all components of FitSpace are integrated with the planning component relating to the context of site and a specific site’s relationship to outdoor resources. For example, a perfect setting for a FitSpace building would correspond to certain objectives conducive for active and outdoor lifestyles and Multisport training. Some of these objectives may include:
Uncongested open road systems for outdoor road cycling
Off road riding opportunities; trail systems
Hiking and trail running networks
Large body of water for swimming and kayaking
Proximity to local fitness and training facilities
Proximity to quality of life amenities such as farmer’s markets and health / healthy food markets

FitSpace Architecture:
The goal of FitSpace is admittedly a bit utopian with the purpose of architecture to specifically realign our dwelling spaces with our needs for space reflective of our active lifestyles.
Space for activity
Organization of space and spatial sequencing (circuits) to support activity
Architecture as surfaces; a rock wall that can replace plaster
Display (and storage) of sport

FitSpace Design:
Components of FitSpace which can be fabricated for use in the home. FitSpace design helps us to adapt existing spaces to the concepts of FitSpace. There are many items already in existence and already for sale that are FitSpace ready. And there are many yet to be created specifically for solving the problems that an individual in training may experience in difficulty regarding training ‘out of’ their existing spaces.

FitSpace Style:
The unity and cohesion related to all FitSpace products. Probably something kind of slick and grass roots simultaneously, like steel and wood with little cave peoples itched into the product. I mean who wouldn’t want a tshirt with cavepeoples on it?