Simone Ferkul Projects has designed the new Solis Movement studio in Toronto's East End. The space is designed in such a way that from the moment a client steps inside, they are greeted by a calm, light-filled reception area that feels more like a spa than a gym.
This project involves a 7,750 square foot sanctuary for high-intensity hot yoga and Reformer Pilates, where a skylight carved into the reception ceiling draws daylight deep into the interior. The softly curved ceiling forms and diffused lighting create an atmosphere that is both calm and energized. A monolithic reception desk anchors the open lobby while illuminated niches in custom millwork blur the lines between storage, retail, and circulation.
The Solis Movement also incorporates the Sun Room hot yoga studio, which integrates infrared heating panels within a carefully articulated ceiling and layered lighting to create a controlled and immersive environment.
Image Credit: Riley Snelling
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Biophilic Light-driven Interiors
- The deliberate use of skylights and daylight channels to animate deep interior zones suggests novel daylighting systems that redefine occupant wellbeing and energy profiles.
- Spa-like Fitness Environments
- Blurring the boundary between spa and gym through soft materials and calming circulation indicates potential for wellness-centric service models that reframe member expectations.
- Integrated Climate-controlled Practice Rooms
- Embedding infrared heating and layered lighting into ceiling architecture points to purpose-built, sensor-driven microclimates that tailor thermal and sensory conditions to specific workout modalities.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Boutique Fitness
- Smaller studios that prioritize curated atmosphere and specialized equipment could catalyze membership ecosystems focused on premium, experience-led retention.
- Wellness Real Estate Development
- Developments that integrate wellness-first communal spaces and daylight strategies may unlock higher-value mixed-use assets driven by health-conscious tenants.
- Commercial Interior Design
- Design firms that merge millwork, lighting and HVAC into cohesive architectural systems stand to introduce prefabricated, performance-driven fit-outs for experiential brands.
