Imagine a dot stretching into a curving line, weaving through different avenues before becoming a fully formed line. For team THINK, the design for a recreation hub at Kamalraj’s Prayag in Pune was that dot — the starting point. The brief called for the best possible amenities, yet ones that were practical, easy to maintain, and ready to handle heavy use. Time and budget were limited, the users a diverse but rooted community, and the vision had to extend at least two to three decades ahead. THINK’s curvy line began in a raw parking site of beams, slabs, columns, and side openings.
What could have felt oppressive became a framework for invention, with rhythm and flow expressed through the walls, dipped in shades of Asian Paints. Detailing then moved upward: furniture stayed minimal, the ceiling bare with just paint, wall fans, and future AC provisions. “The ceiling was already lower than usual, and adding elements would weigh it down. So, we left it bare,” says principal designer Harshal Mutha.
The beauty lies in its honesty — nothing was structurally altered, everything embraced. Even the massive, sporadically placed columns found new purpose as design markers, subtly breaking the flow, acting as partitions, and guiding movement. The spatial flow moves from the lobby to the indoor games area, then the yoga studio, and finally the gym — all linked by a linear series of doors. Even functional details, like shoe racks in transition spaces, were tucked into transition zones to keep the path clear. Each section feels distinct yet logical, its mood shaped by purpose.
“The games area comes first as it’s used most, the yoga studio was placed to catch maximum sunlight, and the gym connects directly to restrooms for convenience,” explains interior designer Aadesh Gandhi. Each step shifts the composition’s note. In the games area, walls became interactive: wooden flooring continues up as panelling, broken by a green band with playful child illustrations. “Kids intuitively learn from their surroundings, and here the walls guide their energy,’ adds principal architect Shubham Gandhi. Every detail is child-friendly — no sharp corners, no stray shelving — a space designed for safe exploration. The line softens in the yoga studio, where neutrals, subtle textures, and natural light create an ambience for meditation and mindfulness. Mirrors add both physical and metaphorical reflection, while continuity is reinforced with planters made from the same material as the flooring.
From calm to charged, the path shifts through a zen-like passage of shadows and light into the Aerofit-fitted gym — energetic, focused, and vibrant. A grey-and-black base is punctuated with burnt orange. “We worked with just two colours — one to match the equipment and mats, and an accent — to balance the compact space and the machines’ weight. We wanted users to feel energised yet find moments to rest,” explains architect Dhwani Gandhi. Even the flooring patterns serve function, subtly marking zones for weight training, cardio, and more. The journey that began with a dot concludes as a complete, lived line. The hub doesn’t claim to be high-end, but it fulfils everything a community space should — welcoming both kids and adults, encouraging activity without pressure, standing up to real use, and built to age well.
