Abu-Dhabi, the UAE | 2025 | 292 sq.m

Kidz (instagram)

Architects: Lera Dzhigil, Dima Ivanov, Katya Tarasova

Photo: Oculis Project

Gymnasium is a network of martial arts clubs for children that KIDZ Studio has been collaborating with for several years across different countries — from Russia and Qatar to the UAE. The new club in Abu Dhabi continues the brand’s recognizable philosophy, while reinterpreting it to create a softer, more welcoming space. Unlike the Dubai location, which is set in a high-traffic environment, this venue is situated in a more intimate context, allowing the focus to shift from a striking façade accent to an atmosphere of warmth, comfort, and cohesion.

The design is based on a more complex use of color combinations and a departure from sharp graphic contrasts in favor of smooth transitions between shades and textures. The layout is clearly zoned: two tatami halls, changing rooms, staff areas, and a reception with a waiting zone facing the façade. As in other clubs of the network, the lecture area serves as the compositional centerpiece, uniting the space and defining its rhythm.

Materials are rooted in Gymnasium’s recognizable language — wood, stone, and stainless steel. Yet, while previous interiors emphasized contrast, here the approach shifts toward more subtle solutions: the palette and textures flow seamlessly into each other, forming a cohesive material board.

Special attention is given to the façade: green orthogonal elements extend into the interior, merging with the reception area to form a unified composition. Spider glazing and metal fastenings, combined with stainless steel cladding, add functional rigor and balance the warm tones of the interior palette.