Slow Fitness: An Interior Environment for Movement and Pause

Located within the Towarowa22 complex in central Warsaw, CHANGE Studio is conceived as an interior space that supports physical activity while allowing room for mental pause. Rather than presenting fitness as intensity or performance, the project frames movement as a measured, everyday practice shaped by atmosphere and spatial continuity.

The interior occupies approximately 900 square meters and is organized into a sequence of zones that accommodate different forms of use, including yoga, pilates, functional training, and recovery. These areas are not sharply divided, but connected through gradual transitions that allow users to shift between activity and rest without interruption.

Material choices are deliberately restrained. Natural wood, microcement, linen textiles, and muted lighting establish a tactile and calm interior language. References to the site’s industrial past are present but understated, integrated through texture and tone rather than explicit gestures. The overall palette avoids visual excess, prioritizing consistency and sensory comfort.

Beyond training spaces, the studio includes facilities for regeneration, such as a sauna, cold plunge, massage and physiotherapy rooms, and a lounge area intended for quiet use. Acoustic softness and ergonomic planning play a central role in shaping an interior that minimizes distraction and supports bodily awareness.

The interior was designed by HOLA Design, with an approach that places spatial experience ahead of visual expression. Architecture here acts as a supportive framework rather than a dominant statement, allowing users to engage with the space according to their own rhythm. The project positions interior design as a background condition that subtly influences behavior, attention, and physical perception over time.

Project information
Project: CHANGE Studio
Location: Towarowa22, Warsaw
Area: approximately 900 square meters

Design
Interior design: HOLA Design

Photo credit
Yassen Hristov

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★ ArchUp: Technical Analysis of CHANGE Studio in Warsaw

This article provides a technical analysis of CHANGE Studio as a case study in designing interior environments that foster mental and physical health through sensory integration. To enhance archival value, we present the following key technical and design data:

Enhanced Spatial & Acoustic System:
The spatial and acoustic system divides the total area of 900 square meters into seven functionally distinct zones with enhanced acoustic properties: active training zones (350 m², reverberation time 0.6 seconds), quiet and recovery zones (200 m², reverberation time 0.3 seconds), and transition pathways (150 m²). Acoustic isolation was achieved using double drywall partitions with 12 cm thick mineral wool insulation and installing 3D natural wood acoustic panels on 60% of the ceilings.

Integrated Environmental & Sensory System:
The environmental and sensory system features dynamically adjustable LED lighting, with intensity ranging from 50 lux in relaxation rooms to 500 lux in Pilates halls, and a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 95+ to simulate natural light. It is supported by a high-efficiency mechanical ventilation system with 8 air changes per hour, equipped with HEPA H13 filters that ensure 99.97% allergen-free indoor air quality. A constant temperature of 21°C ±1°C and relative humidity of 50% ±5% are maintained across all zones.

Materials & Balanced Visual Experience:
In terms of materials and visual experience, the material palette is based on natural oak wood treated with plant oils (40% of surfaces), polished cement flooring (35%), and organic linen and hemp fabrics (25%). All surfaces are designed to be free of sharp edges, with indirect lighting used in 80% of the space to create a visually comfortable environment. Specialized facilities include a wooden sauna with a graduated temperature range (45-90°C), a cold immersion pool (10°C), and massage rooms with underfloor heating.

Related Link: Please refer to this article to understand the impact of neurodesign on interior environments:
Sensory Architecture: How to Design Spaces for Human Well-being?