With a budget of 150k and a 2,800 sqft area, Kufik was tasked with creating the flagship space of a “new martial arts experience.”
We began with the ethos of the founding partners - a belief in authenticity, unpretentious and ethical business practices. Working with these principles we extracted three key design directives to deliver a beautiful space under budget:
Natural light, honest materials and quiet spaces.
First, all administrative spaces were located in a “spine” along the far wall. This created the opportunity for a third practice hall in addition to the two required practice hall. This additional hall provided the clients with the opportunity to diversify their programs into new martial arts, thus strengthening their brand and business model.
Full height glass allowed light to penetrate through the entire studio, including the offices. During the day, the majority of the spaces are naturally lit, requiring no artificial lighting. Natural light enters the lounge/office through the overhead windows.
A restrained palette of raw materials and simple finishes adorn the furnishings of the studios and offices. In the practice halls, orange mats compliment the natural greys and wood tones of the interior. This orange became the basis of the new schools corporate identity and the core of their branding.
Rough concrete frontage, screed floors, exposed plywood and galvanized steel furniture express values of authenticity and honesty.
Large, custom designed luminaires ensure that each studio is equipped for classes, filming and photo shoots.
Kufik Design was commissioned to undertake the rebranding of the JH Kim Taekwondo Institute, Singapore’s premier traditional martial arts brand. This entailed an overhaul of the existing CI, keeping in mind the company principles and providing some continuity with the existing branding.
The renovation of the River Valley branch of Jae Hun Kim Taekwondo School was the first extension of this re-branding in built form.
Initial concerns were tectonic - intervening to draw light into a dark and uncomfortable reception/lobby, creating space for other programs in the reception.
Materials were selected with attention to tactility, precision and a bright, clean aesthetic. All graphics were also provided by KUFIK. The original centralized reception plan left no open space for parents and staff. By shifting the reception to the periphery, space for sales and signage was created.
Graphics were a continuation of the corporate re-branding project, also carried out by Kufik Design, with an emphasis on clean surfaces, transparency and illumination
Under construction
