In July of 2025, Ace Performance Gym reached out about transforming their spin and stretch studio in King City into a dedicated Pilates space. They knew what they wanted, the timeline was tight (by tight I mean very agressive), and they were ready to move.

Commercial projects are different than residential—you're not just designing a beautiful space, you're building an experience that has to work for hundreds of people every single day while supporting the business behind it. At Forma, we focused on three things: interior storytelling, guest-centric design, and operational excellence. Here’s how we approached each component:

Old stretch studio → hot mat studio, old spin studio → reformer studio

Interior Storytelling

The goal for Forma was to create a supportive, inclusive environment where Pilates is not only accessible, but positioned as a powerful tool for building strength at a higher level. Since the studio sits inside one of King City's top performance gyms, it needed to resonate with people already focused on strength training, and the design had to speak to that too.

We built the visual language around contrast and tension. Dark against light. Soft against strong. Warm brown tones with black accents, soft textiles layered over hard metal mirrors, light wood floors grounding darker wood cabinetry. Organic stone countertops paired with a metallic reception desk. There's this constant push and pull, just like Pilates itself.

Lighting does a lot of work here. We layered it to shift the mood from arrival to movement, keeping focus without losing warmth. Every material we chose had to not just look good, but reinforce what Forma stands for.

Guest-Centric Design

This is the part I love. Every single decision came back to the guest experience. How does this make someone's visit better? How does this remove friction?

The lounge gives people space to transition. You can sit, settle in, store your shoes, just relax before class without being overwhelmed. Inside the studios, equipment is integrated so it's intuitive to access, easy to use, simple to store.

Mirror placement was critical. Some people need that visual feedback—they want to see their form, watch their body move. Others find mirrors distracting or uncomfortable. We placed them strategically so you can work where you see yourself, or you can work where mirrors fade into the background. That flexibility matters.

We also brought in small boutique items so guests can take a piece of Forma home. We thought about scent too, and partnered with Aroma360 to create a subtle, consistent fragrance throughout the space. It adds this layer of polish that ties the whole experience together.

Operational Excellence

This is where most people think design ends, but it's where some of the most important work happens. Operational excellence lives in the details guests never see—the things that make the studio run smoothly day after day.

The front desk has fully integrated phone and computer services, but they're completely discreet so staff can support members without breaking the calm atmosphere. There's a rolling towel cart for daily operations, accessible when needed, tucked away when not.

Equipment storage was one of our biggest challenges. We designed custom solutions around Forma's specific equipment so every single piece has a designated home and fits seamlessly into the space. That's not just aesthetic. It makes class transitions efficient, simplifies setup and breakdown, and keeps the studio looking uncluttered over time.

We also thought carefully about circulation and spacing. Instructors need to move freely, work closely with members, give adjustments, all without disrupting class flow. These decisions support both the business and the people running it every day.

The Result

Forma opened December 11th, and I'm so proud of what we created. This project pushed us—the timeline, the complexity, the level of customization—but it reminded me why I love commercial work. You're designing for real people navigating real spaces every single day.

If you're in King City or love trying new studios, download the Forma app and book a class. I'd love to hear what you think!

All Photography By:Zack Tosswill