There’s no denying, yoga has permeated the lifestyle of urbanites across the planet, including those living in Seoul. The city’s hustle and bustle may bring prosperity, but also comes at a price, and many a dweller has taken refuge in this acquired state of mind which brings harmony, balance and clarity. SISO Yoga is a local yoga studio chain which provides relief to those with a busy strenuous careers, and does so with its so-called Balance Within the Flow philosophy. With the latter approach, SISO Yoga defines yoga as a process of following the flow of sensations through various movements as practice, and this practice is offered in three key stages: calmly awakening the senses, gradually expanding movements to gather energy, and concluding with the release of energy through meditation and relaxation.
Obviously, the holistic procedures have helped to shape the premises. SISO Yoga comprises three main spaces—a lounge, which with a waiting area and dressing room, a practice room where yoga sessions take place, and last but not least, a kitchen with a table and counter, a place where to unwind the body after yoga class. Although each one of the aforementioned spaces has a specific purpose, the interior design, created by Seoul-based design practice molae, sees a cohesive aesthetic which aims to help members to focus more deeply on their yoga practice. So, SISO Yoga’s second studio sits in the city’s modern Olympic Park area, occupying a 148 sqm. (1,593 sq.ft.) on the fifth floor of a nondescript modern building. Upon entering, the first area encountered is the lounge, intended to awaken the senses through various stimuli. The dark entryway contrasts with the bright and vibrant lounge, offering a visually dynamic transition with an indirect path.
Structural elements featuring an architectural language, such as triangular lighting, a concrete sink that pierces through the wall, and a bench extending from the entrance, all aim to evoke a sense of unfamiliarity and spark curiosity. The practice room is where the core of the yoga training takes place, and the space offers an immersive sensory experience through contrast. With the circular structure of the ceiling and the rectangular windows, we aim to create an environment where one can fully immerse oneself in their practice, envisioning the moments when light intersects with the movements of yoga. After practice, SISO Yoga‘s kitchen becomes a space to connect over a cup of tea. The design playfully anticipates, making the teapots visible through perforated cabinets and reflections of plants beyond the window on metallic surfaces. © superfuture
SISO Yoga
51 Yangjae-daero 81-gil, Fifth Floor (Olympic Park)
05407 Seoul
Publishers Note
Just to be clear – superfuture® is a design blog and not a political commentator. No surprise there. The scope of our content has always been global and borderless, however that can often mean covering projects in countries where we will not agree with the politics or actions of those countries. In a world that’s as screwed up as ever right now, the focus of our support is to those designers, architects and other creatives who aim to make the world a more liveable one – as opposed to people that try their hardest to destroy it. So if a project hits our desk and we like it based on its design credentials, we may choose to publish regardless of its location or creators nationality. superfuture® has always been inclusive and hopes for all current wars, aggression, violence, hate and extremism to end.
