Solis Movement East Toronto
Project Snapshot
Sector: Wellness and fitness
Location: Toronto, Ontario (King Street East corridor)
Status: Completed, in operation
Interior Design: Simone Ferkul Projects
Architecture: Spline Group
Executive Summary
Solis Movement was envisioned as a high-performance wellness studio with a premium guest experience: warm, calming, and minimal at first glance, but engineered underneath for the realities of constant turnover, humidity, and daily operational friction. The space program includes multiple studios, a retail zone, a lounge, equipment storage, and men’s and women’s change rooms with vanity and locker ecosystems.
RFP’s role was to build serviceable millwork systems that would hold up under real use: wet hands, towels, product merchandising, guests moving fast between classes, staff doing quick resets, and the inevitable impact cycles that destroy “pretty but delicate” interiors. The finished millwork package uses a controlled material palette with tight reveals, curved post-laminated faces, integrated hardware, and modular assemblies that simplify long-term maintenance.
Design Intent and Operational Requirements
From the beginning, the joinery and detailing needed to solve for:
- Cleanability: minimal dirt-catching seams, durable edges, wipeable faces, and serviceable panels.
- Humidity resistance: moisture-smart substrate choices, sealed edges, and ventilation-aware locker detailing.
- Speed of use: intuitive storage, towel drops that work in real life, fast access to equipment, and lockers that do not jam or drift out of alignment.
- Consistency across zones: one visual language, applied differently to reception, retail merchandising, and change rooms without feeling repetitive.
- Coordination with other trades: stone/quartz cladding and countertops by others, integrated lighting, mirrors, AV ventilation needs, and specialty hardware such as keyless locks.
Scope Overview
1) Entry and Retail Fixtures
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Entry shoe storage built-ins designed to manage guest flow and eliminate clutter at peak arrivals.
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Retail casework bases and merchandising fixtures with durable interiors, smooth hardware performance, and clean, gallery-like faces for product presentation.
2) Reception
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Reception counter system engineered for staff workflow: concealed storage, durable surfaces coordinated for stone/cladding by others, and minimal hardware for a seamless front.
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Integrated bench seating with serviceable upholstered components designed for constant turnover and daily wear.
3) Lounge and Back Counter Features
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Back counter and feature wall millwork delivering a clean brand backdrop with tight alignment and crisp reveal control.
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TV/equipment cabinetry planned for cable management and long-term service access without disrupting finished surfaces.
4) Equipment Storage Systems
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High-density storage closets and shelving engineered for repeated loading, fast resets, and evolving equipment needs.
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Modular fabrication strategy, removable/service panels, and site-scribe allowances for tight fits against real field conditions, including curved post-laminated faces to maintain the design language in utility zones.
5) Studio Storage and AV-Integrated Casework
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Studio storage designed for operational flexibility: adjustable interiors, clean face logic, and ventilation-aware detailing.
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Perforated/mesh integration and coordinated cutouts where required for AV and airflow needs.
6) Change Room Ecosystems
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Vanity, mirror, and support systems coordinated for stone countertops and plumbing by others, with durable structural support and clean architectural mirror integration.
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Towel drop cabinetry designed for high-contact durability and fast replenishment cycles.
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Locker and bench systems with keyless lock integration, modular install groups for alignment control, and serviceable seating components built for high humidity and daily cleaning.
Material and Finish Strategy
Key principles used across the package:
- Warm neutral laminate faces for a calm, premium feel
- Light wood accents where warmth and tactility matter most
- Bright, clean cabinet interiors to improve staff speed and reduce visual grime
- Durable, wipeable surfaces in wet zones
- Post-laminated curved elements to soften traffic edges and maintain the design’s rounded language
Result
Solis Movement’s built-in systems deliver a premium studio experience that stays calm and minimal visually, while quietly doing the heavy lifting operationally. The final outcome is a cohesive, technically disciplined millwork package that supports a high-end wellness brand without sacrificing the practical realities of day-to-day operation.
