Auckland-based movement studio Sala has expanded its Brown Street site in Ponsonby with the opening of Sonar, a new 150sqm reformer Pilates studio designed to refine both spatial experience and practice.
Developed in response to sustained demand for reformer classes, the addition builds on an offering that has grown steadily since its introduction three years ago. While class sizes remain unchanged, the increased footprint allows for a more resolved layout, giving both instructors and participants greater room to move.
The design, realised in collaboration with creative partner Angus Muir, places a clear emphasis on atmosphere. A sculptural sound installation and carefully calibrated lighting work together to establish a space defined by rhythm and clarity, shifting the focus from high-energy environments to something more measured and immersive.
Sonar continues Sala’s broader approach to spatial design, where a distinct sensory identity shapes each room. Existing studios within the site include Eclipse, Solar, Sunset and Chroma, each tied to a particular mode of movement and energy. Here, the focus turns to sound and frequency, extending the studio’s layered, experience-led framework.
Drawing cues from listening bars and audiophile culture, the studio treats sound as a primary design element. A high-fidelity audio system has been tuned specifically to the room, while cork flooring and fabric-lined walls soften acoustics. Between classes, a low-frequency soundscape plays, supporting a more grounded transition between sessions.
This attention to the environment reflects a broader shift in how Sala positions itself. Rather than operating as a conventional fitness studio, the space is conceived as somewhere to spend time, with members moving between classes, recovery areas and social spaces as part of a wider routine.
Open this month at 48 Brown Street, Sonar marks the next stage in Sala’s ongoing development, with further expansions across the site already in progress for 2026.
