Could you imagine a place that actually makes you want to move, breathe, and just be? Most wellness zones tend to be saintly lit, filled with plants and sunlight, and stripped of colour — but Athens Arena does it differently. Spread over 3,500 sq ft, Athens Arena reimagines the playroom and gym as a holistic community club — a project, completed in August 2025 by Think With Us for Kamalraj Properties’ Athens in Pune — designed to make wellness feel effortless, intentional, and even a little playful.
The magic begins with balance. Each area, from the gym to the indoor games room and multipurpose hall, was designed to evoke a distinct mood through material, light, and form, while maintaining a cohesive visual rhythm. “The idea was to make movement, whether physical or meditative, feel joyful, grounded, and intentional,” the team shares. Speaking of intentionality, the designers were very deliberate about the colours of the
space. An understated palette of soft grey stucco walls by Asian Paints, bright orange
accents, and charcoal terrazzo floors tiled by Naman Construction anchor the space
with Earth.
Complementing the palettes are fluid shapes and playful graphics in each
zone create a cohesive identity that expresses the stillness and chaos of a human mind,
balanced in proportion. In contrast, the angular forms and strict lines in the gym convey strength and direction, together forming a subconsciously guided rhythm that moves from stillness to motion. The brief was simple, and was followed to the T: create a space that feels welcoming, functional, and timeless — not just another club-like gym. A space for everyone, from hardcore fitness enthusiasts to families seeking calm or play. But transforming a basement parking lot into a lively wellness hub wasn’t easy.
Beams, columns, and service lines ran everywhere, threatening to make the space feel cramped and heavy. Their solution? Turn constraints into features: colour bands, strategic ceilings, and natural and warm tones to brighten the space. Inside, Athens Arena unfolds across three distinct zones: the Gym Arena has more of an energetic vibe with cardio and strength zones equipped by machines from National Sports & Fitness, and accommodates a storage facility to tuck the gym essentials away when not needed.
The lighting from Lafit Arihant Lights here works like a good trainer: bold linear lights energise workouts, while accents behind mirrors create depth. Then there’s the Indoor Games Room, equipped with table games from Magical Wonder Kids, and fitted with glare-free, playful lighting to keep away the hindrances. And finally, the Multipurpose Hall: a versatile space with fluid circular forms and dimmable, warm lighting, perfect for yoga, dance, meditation, or community gatherings that require a pantry for food service. Behind the scenes, every system — from the centralized air-conditioning system, to plumbing requirements in the changing rooms provided by VRP Behara Plumbing with Jaquar fittings, to electrical provisions by A R Electrical, and fire fighting systems by Sumit Fire — works towards making the space functional and fun.
Led by Id. Harshall Mutha, Ar. Shubham Gandhi, Ar. Dhwani Mehta, and Id. Aadesh Gandhi, Athens Arena proves how challenges and spatial limitations can be pleasant and rewarding, and how thoughtful design can transform both individuals and communities.
