Deftly Calm – Warrior One by GOLDEN
There’s a natural calmness to a place that feels approachable, and Warrior One seems to welcome you in, like an old friend with open arms. GOLDEN transforms the idea of a yoga studio being only for some and creates a place of holistic wellness and comfort for many.
In an interesting play on materials, the initial interaction with Warrior One is turned on its head with the application of sisal carpet on the entry ceiling. Although typically used on a floor surface, the textured element challenges expectations from the outset and sets the all-encompassing and unexpected tone for the experience to come.
Healing and nature are in obvious alignment, and with the studio’s proximity to the sea, those bonds are intended to be reinforced organically. Located in Brighton, in bayside Melbourne, the entry becomes a portal to a place of escape from the outside world. As you enter and walk through each of the spaces, a richer connection with natural materials unfolds, while engaging the senses and deepening the sense of disconnection from daily life.
Yoga at its heart is transportive, and each piece to the puzzle of the layout supports that ideal. There is a lightness to the interior, yet with an earthed palette. The carefully handmade furniture then adds a considered and unique touch of the handcrafted. Texture and transparency play important roles in generating the idea of movement and departure.
While the typical response to coastal design sees generous splashings of white in all its forms, GOLDEN has tried to ground the space through a more natural approach. Handmade pieces have also been commissioned from local makers to inject a connection to place and locality, while finishes tend towards the organic.
To create calm, there needs to be an absence of clutter. Very rarely does seeing how something operates inspire a sense of composure. Based on this understanding, storage is integrated throughout, with clean lines and concealment the aim. By designing ways to screen the mechanics of the space, a tangible quietening pervades.
With this emphasis on everything being in its place, natural materials and a welcoming atmosphere, the space feels familiar. Regenerative from the outset, Warrior One is simultaneously engaging and restful – just like the practice of yoga itself.