Chill. Zen. Oceanic. That was the brief given to design firm Golden for new Mordialloc yoga studio Warrior One. Golden co-directors Kylie Dorotic and Alicia McKimm believe in fostering emotion through clever design, and have a number of award-winning projects under their belt as a result. Earlier this year, the firm won Best Leisure Venue Design at the World Interior News Awards for their work on Prahran wellness studio Sum Of Us.

“We talk a lot about feeling … within a space. It’s not necessarily about one specific design element. I think it’s about the way that all design elements come together to create an overall experience,” Dorotic tells Broadsheet.

This ethos is clear in Golden’s approach to Warrior One, which opened its doors in May this year. It’s the second studio for owners Dustin and Nova Brown, whose Brighton studio opened in 2015, and now hosts up to 50 classes a week (the pair also run yoga retreats overseas). Wanting a bit more legroom for their loyal following, the couple opened a second shala.

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The new studio is almost three times the size of its Brighton predecessor. There are two separate practice rooms – named Indra and Durga, after warrior gods – accommodating classes and teacher training workshops. A large greeting room is fitted with lush day beds, making for a calming and connective mood. Mats and all props are provided, and access to showers and changing rooms with organic skincare products is included in class fees. Vinyasa flow is the studio's core style, but Warrior One also offers a fundamentals class, yin and meditation.

“Often you find people come to class and they’re running to the next thing,” says Nova. “We’ve created a space where people feel like they don’t need to rush off.”

The studio was formerly Mordy Surf Shop, which opened on Beach Road in 1970. Dustin, a former pro-surfer, felt it was only natural the interiors adhere to this undercurrent.

“Being right on the ocean, we wanted to create a really warm, chill vibe for the clients,” he says. “It’s funny, because a lot of people walk in and say, ‘I could live here’.”

Golden’s pragmatic design executes this homely ambience, evoking a deep connection between the guest and the space. In the reception area you’ll find a dramatic 800-kilogram sandstone desk.

“We commissioned [stonemason] Den Holm to create a custom counter for the reception, and it’s this big, beautiful, sculptural, natural element, which again sets the tone of when you first enter. I guess it says this isn’t you average yoga studio,” Dorotic says.

The greeting room is an earthy, sensory experience. Sisal-carpeted ceilings, textured wallpaper and an old-school wooden ’70s surfboard add to the beachy aesthetic. The original concrete floors have been retained, polished back to offset more lavish details such as the bathroom’s pastel pink marble and bronze finishes.

“The use of materials was critical – we looked to use natural materials, organic materials, things that had a sense of honesty to them,” Dorotic says.

White timber bi-fold doors separate the two practice rooms, which are opened up to host large groups for meditation sessions.

Golden will also take care of the design of Tribe, a wholefood cafe the couple is opening next door in late 2018. There’ll be coffee and chai, smoothies and raw treats.

Warrior One Mordialloc
228 Beach Road, Mordialloc
(03) 9596 5401

Hours:
Mon to Thu 6am–8.30pm
Fri 6am–7.30pm
Sat 7.30am–5.30pm
Sun 8.30am–6.30pm

warrioroneyoga.com.au