For blue-chip artist Daniel Arsham, manufacturers are the final word canvas. He has introduced his playful sculptural model to bear in collaborations with a panoply of firms from Adidas and Uniqlo to Tiffany and Moët et Chandon. Now he’s planning his most muscular collab but.
Arsham’s New York-based design agency, Snarkitecture, can be overhauling the long-lasting, celeb-beloved Equinox location on Sundown Boulevard, leaning deeply into the membership’s Hollywood DNA. The overhauled area is about to be unveiled in early 2027.
“There are some issues that belong to the Equinox world, however extra particularly to LA,” stated Alex Mustonen, Snarkitecture’s co-owner. “There’s a see-and-be-seen high quality to being in that membership.” The model certainly boasts its share of A-list devotees, together with Renee Zellweger, Eddie Redmayne, Mark Wahlberg and Shawn Mendes. Amongst bold-faced names noticed sweating it out on the WeHo location are Paris Hilton, Will Ferrell, Jason Derulo and Vanessa Hudgens. It’s the place Jeff Goldblum met his spouse.
What Mustonen refers to because the “invitation to glimpse” — and be glimpsed — can be obvious as quickly as members enter by the spacious gateway that’s grand in addition to welcoming, dominated by a slatted display screen and lined with inexperienced marble. The doorway can be undulating, the reception desk wavy, and mirrors free type, reflecting the artist’s signature natural shapes.
“We needed to begin sturdy, so whenever you are available in by the entrance door, it feels new,’’ Mustonen defined. “There’s a little bit of West Hollywood glamour to decisions and design moments. And there’s something thrilling about creating areas for connection between individuals, in addition to reference to your self and wellness.’’
These glamor choices may also be felt on the open air terrace, with its chilly plunge swimming pools and outside bathe, and within the lounge, that feels extra like a personal social membership than a health facility. That can be adorned with curved mirrors, echoing these on the entrance, in addition to a protracted organically formed upholstered banquette, and luxurious emerald and burgundy rugs.
The challenge is a primary for Arsham’s agency, that has designed shops and galleries, however by no means a health property.
“I feel this got here throughout a interval of our shifting into cultural and hospitality areas, and this was a fruits,’’ stated Mustonen. “It’s a bit of microcosm of all of our work so far.’’
It is usually a daring departure for the approach to life model. Whereas most areas have a harmonious luxe model, a number of the “vacation spot golf equipment’’ have collaborated with identify designers, like Joyce Wang at Hudson Yards, Studio Munge in West Palm Seashore and Meyer Davis at Lincoln Frequent in Chicago. However bringing within the agency co-owned by Arsham — identified for edgy and generally surrealistic work — was a bolder transfer.
“A couple of times a yr we workforce up with outdoors designers,’’ defined Nadia Biski, senior vice chairman of structure and design at Equinox. “They problem us in what we do, and convey a recent perspective. We wish to work with hospitality creatives as a result of we’re a luxurious model, however right here we broke the mildew and pushed our restrict. Snarkitecture brings the intersection of sculpture, artwork and design collectively, and that is such a excessive profile membership that it felt like the right alternative to collaborate with them.’’
Mustonen stated the supplies and shades of every part had been chosen to match the extent of exercise.
“A number of the supplies are from Daniel’s artwork apply, however as a result of we’re designing round health, it needs to be sturdy and practical, and in addition look lovely,’’ he defined. “We considered how we are able to take away extraneous supplies, to concentrate on a singular gesture. It’s such a big area, and we’re creating coherence, however every space could have its personal id.’’
Exercise areas could have cooler, reflective tones. The locker rooms can be full of pure stone, and the spa could have wooden, in addition to cream or beige plaster and tile. “The spa lounge or lengthy hallways can be hotter and invoke a hushed, monastic really feel,’’ he shared. “There can be darker materials to create a richness and softness for contemplative moments.’’
This isn’t the one new Equinox membership coming to L.A. — one will open in Santa Monica later this yr, adopted by areas in Playa Vista and Burbank in 2026. However, regardless of rooftop swimming pools, barrel saunas, distinction remedy and seashore vistas, they won’t have outdoors designers. “West Hollywood is certainly one of our highest performing golf equipment, so we needed to reestablish its id,’’ stated Biski. “There may be numerous imitation on the market. It’s complimentary, however it’s essential that we innovate and keep forward.’’
And, Snarkitecture goals to meet that aim. “This can be a recognition of how essential health and wellness is now,’’ stated Mustonen. “You aren’t going for a fast exercise; it’s a communally essential a part of the day. You too can work, have a meal on the cafe and loosen up on the spa, so the design method is sort of intentional. It’s not a layer of finishes; we’re creating areas which are outdoors of your expertise and design possibly individuals haven’t seen earlier than. There are issues that we would consider in a cultural setting. We’re bringing the extraordinary, not the bizarre into your each day life.’’