Kyiv-based architecture and interior design practice Dubrovska Studio has designed a yoga and barre studio in central Kyiv, Ukraine.

Named Stan, the 120-square-metre space is situated in a vibrant area. The space is founded by a professional ballet dancer, Mariia Dreihaupt. 

A large portion of the project was purposefully designed around her, fusing her individuality with a wider celebration of women.

Within its thoughtfully designed space, Stan invites guests to embark on a transformative journey, embodying the spirit of feminine strength, elegance, and individuality. 

It is a haven for holistic well-being and self-expression rather than just a studio. The soft, elegant, and feminine personality that was intended for the future concept did not align with the sharp layout that was in place. 

The goal of the Dubrovska Studio designers was to soften the design further by utilizing light curtains and rounded corners.

The interior design flows naturally, with a curtained hallway that leads to the showers and changing areas. Lacking a soft and minimalist locker option, the designers created their own, which included custom key and number tags. 

Small mosaic tiles covering the showers were inspired by the modernist design of public restrooms. Going deeper into the studio, a detour from the curtain corridor leads to Stan's main living area, a large room where classes are held. 

With mirror walls and a flexible lighting setup, this adaptable space can hold up to 15 people and creates an environment where each training session's magic unfolds.

The space's main idea is to source locally and reuse existing components. Because of the wartime conditions during construction, ordering from overseas proved to be difficult; however, the focus on sustainability fit in well with the overall idea, as the studio explained.

"In our situation, when we initiated the project, there was virtually nothing available. We literally pieced the project together from leftovers we found around Kyiv," said designer Natalie Dubrovska.

The design's emphasis on originality and inventiveness became the driving force in spite of these difficulties and the frequent power outages that occurred in Ukraine during the building process. 

Designer drawings served as the basis for all elements' creation, with the sofa acting as the focal point of the welcoming area and drawing inspiration from the overall design.

"I envisioned upholstering it with gobelin fabric, sourced second-hand or from an old fabric manufacturer," said designer Natalie Dubrovska. 

"The quest for the right fabric turned into a humorous journey, with many gobelins featuring unappealing cat face illusions. Almost giving up, we lucked out, discovering a fabric from the 1970s that closely mirrored our initial design," Dubrovska added.

Little tables were made from leftover stone that was carefully sourced from the warehouse to complement the sofa. 

A mirror set into the rock base in the entryway gives the room a certain allure and magical appearance by reflecting different areas of the room depending on the angle from which it is viewed. 

The concrete reception desk was designed to have angular edges to set it apart from the rounded surroundings. It extended into the desk and was crushed on top, blending in with the gray micro cement that was already on the floor to create the desired appearance and texture.

The office said that "Ukrainian word CTAH (STAN in Latin transliteration) means physical posture OR state, as a feeling of yourself."

Floor plan

In 2018, Natalie Dubrovska, a designer and synesthete, established Dubrovska Studio in Kyiv. The practice is a multidisciplinary architectural and design office that designs ideal living environments for clients.

Project name: Stan

Design: Dubrovska Studio

Team: Natalie Dubrovska, Katerina Bandura, Daria Shmyrko

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine

Area: 120m2 / 1290ft2

Year: 2023

All images © Yevhenii Avramenko.

Drawing © Dubrovska Studio.

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Dubrovska Studio Kyiv yoga studio