A High-Performance Fitness Environment for Active Living

Westminster-Canterbury Bay Fitness Center

Client/Specifier: Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay
Vertical: Healthcare / Wellness / Senior Living

Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Product: Ekoa in Vapor
Installation: Walls
Scale: 1,120 SF

Impact

CO2 sequestered

equivalent annual carbon uptake

The design challenge

At Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay, the fitness center is a daily hub for movement, strength, and connection. The renovation needed to refresh the space while performing under constant use—supporting a wide range of activities in a high-traffic, equipment-heavy environment.

The challenge: create a refined, welcoming setting that could handle repeated impact, continuous circulation, and high-touch use—without sacrificing a clean, design-forward aesthetic.

Material solution

Ekoa in Vapor was applied across 1,120 square feet of half-height walls, introducing a durable layer at the most impact-prone zones. Its soft, smoky gray tone brings a grounded, contemporary feel while maintaining a clean architectural presence.

Engineered for performance, Ekoa resists scuffs, abrasion, and daily wear—functioning as both finish and protection in a space defined by movement.

Experience in the space

The fitness center feels active and energized, with residents moving fluidly between workout zones. The Ekoa surfaces provides visual balance and contrast, supporting clarity across equipment areas and circulation paths.

At half-wall height, Ekoa defines space without closing it in—maintaining openness while reinforcing structure in a busy, high-use environment.

Sustainability & healthy interiors

Material health is central to wellness-focused design. Ekoa supports healthier interiors with Red List Free and Clean Air GOLD certifications, and is listed on the Mindful Materials platform with a published HPD (Health Product Declaration)—supporting transparency and informed material selection.

Made from rapidly renewable flax, it reduces material impact while aligning with long-term environmental goals. Its carbon-sequestering properties further support a lower-impact built environment—reinforcing a wellness space designed around both human and environmental health.

Installation & detailing

Ekoa was installed as continuous half-height wall protection, with corner guards and trim pieces reinforcing durability at high-impact edges. Hand sanitizer stations were mounted directly over the surface, demonstrating its ability to withstand frequent contact, cleaning, and daily use.

Outcome & impact

A fitness environment built for real use—durable, refined, and designed to support active, healthy living with a material system that performs as hard as the people using it.