AWARD YEAR
2017
CATEGORY
Community
GOALS
Affordable & Clean Energy
KEYWORDS
human powered, energy, health
COUNTRY
Italy
DESIGNED BY
Carlo Ratti, Carlo Ratti Associati
WEBSITE
http://www.carloratti.com/project/paris-navigating-gym/
Paris Navigating Gym
Floating Paris gym uses human energy to cruise down the Seine River.
Italian architects Carlo Ratti Associati have unveiled a new design for a floating gym powered by human energy. Designed to meander down the Seine River, the 20-meter-long Paris Navigating Gym would be powered by Technogym‘s revolutionary ARTIS exercise machines, which harvest power generated by the fitness enthusiasts inside. The transparent glass bubble design was fashioned after the beloved Bateaux Mouches ferry boats that have been carrying tourists on the river since the early 20th century. Developed as a collaboration between Technogym, Terreform ONE and URBEM, the floating gym design been adapted to use ARTIS bikes and cross trainers that power the boat using movement generated by gym-goers. Carlo Ratti says “The Paris Navigating Gym investigates the potential of harnessing human power. It’s fascinating to see how the energy generated by a workout at the gym can actually help to propel a boat. It provides one with a tangible experience.