Located in Dubai’s popular Jumeirah 1 District, La Mer beach is both a tourist destination and a local hangout. Perched on the coast of the Persian Gulf and at the core of the UAE’s largest city, it’s a crux of activity — with everything from water parks to department stores. Boasting sweeping views of the Dubai skyline, the dynamic white-sand beachfront was also an ideal location for Train Beach Club, an eclectic complex comprised of a gym, restaurant, bar and more.

Commissioned by Brand Folio, a sportswear company, the expansive fitness club also boasts a juice bar and a shisha lounge — a quintessential destination for the beach crowd from morning to night. Measuring 1,692 square metres, the space also encompasses a wide range of facilities for every kind of visitor.

According to L.S. Design Studio, the clients wanted to maintain the existing build’s raw and industrial feel, while also adding warmth and intricate detail. For the designers, the difficulty was figuring out how to integrate each space within a cohesive identity — while acknowledging their vastly different functions and atmospheres. As the design studio explains, “The challenge was to relate four distinct spaces that typically do not mix.”

To remedy this, designer Omar Abdelghafour selected a limited palette of materials for each space — tan leather and washed concrete were used as a leitmotif in each area. The application of these core materials throughout allowed him to subsequently take liberties with texture and colour.

Behind the raw steel and glass staircase in the nightclub, a vibrant yellow mural acts as a way-finding tool towards the private mezzanine section of the bar. The industrial space is softened by a green wall and real olive trees — a reminder of the lush scenery and elegant landscaping awaiting outside.

Slatted millwork in alternating materials (wood in the café, metal in the bar/lounge) are another recurring element of the design. Discrete and unobtrusive lighting allows the open space and linear silhouettes of the bar and seating take centre stage.

In the juice bar, an elongated marble countertop acts as a functional statement piece, while exposed brick painted white adds textural interest. The staircase’s yellow hue is echoed in an accent wall, making for a fittingly invigorating effect.

A “floating theme” fit for a beach club is perceptible throughout each of the spaces, thanks to an ingenious lighting configuration. The gym’s change rooms and bathrooms — where concrete and warm wood tones dominate — are illuminated by hidden LED strips, accentuating a buoyant impression. At night, the lights glow and the spaces come alive.