Project Description:
This fall, BASH Boxing brings its signature high-energy, full-body functional workouts to Carlyle Crossing, a lively, up-and-coming neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia. BASH’s latest location marks a significant milestone for the brand as its first franchised location and once again materializes a long standing partnership with DC-based architecture and design firm //3877. The //3877 team was previously recruited in 2021 to develop BASH’s design manual in support of the brand’s growth trajectory. Since then, the team has continued to partner with BASH on several new locations, including the brand’s Mosaic District and Gainesville, VA studios. 

The 2,100-square-foot franchise studio finds its home in Alexandria’s brand-new, mixed-use development, Carlyle Crossing, on Mandeville Lane. As architect for the project, //3877 led the full fit-out of the space for BASH’s first franchise, establishing a space that is rooted in the community and embodies the brand’s welcoming and approachable boxing experience. The studio is also the first to fully implement new brand standards, closely following the design manual in every spatial aspect and, in turn, acting as a prototype for future BASH franchise locations.

Upon entering, guests are welcomed with a reception desk backed with a custom illuminated sign of the signature BASH fist logo, curating a sense of place. The color palette of the studio pulls from BASH’s brand colors, red, black, white, and gray, and is thoughtfully incorporated into various touch points throughout, including the color blocking on the walls and the rubber flooring. Alongside reception, a waiting and locker area is available for visitors to store their belongings and prepare for their workout. The //3877 team purposefully designed the front reception area to be airy and bright, a stark contrast to the studio’s black-box environment. The short corridor that connects the two features a low ceiling, giving the space both compression and expansion to transition from one area to another. The studio is split between the boxing zone and the stepper zone, both of which are utilized during each class. 

The team strategically planned the layout of the full studio to facilitate an open circulation despite the narrow nature of the existing footprint––creating a functional space for every workout class. Acoustics were also carefully considered to maintain the high-energy feel of the space without becoming overwhelming, finding insulation solutions that are also mindful of neighboring businesses. Above the exterior’s storefront glazing, a mix of white-painted brick and gray metal panels distinguishes the location within the development so each class attendee can easily spot their destination.

With a deep understanding of BASH Boxing’s mission, //3877 established the brand’s first franchised location as an immersive experience for a workout guests will never forget.