REFORMD Lagree Studio, Canada

REFORMD Lagree Studio is the world’s largest-capacity Lagree studio and a benchmark for how lighting can redefine the fitness environment. The design vision is centred on principles of chromotherapy, using immersive colour-changing light to energise participants. Rather than treating lighting as a backdrop, it became the driving force of the experience, synchronised with music to heighten intensity, motivate performance, and draw participants away from distractions. A series of glowing halo-like elements anchor the space, guiding attention and setting the emotional tone throughout.

The design harmonises with the space by integrating light and architecture. Mirrors lining the walls are interrupted by luminous vertical seams that extend across ceilings and down bulkheads, tracing the room’s geometry. Seams accentuate the interior designer’s vision and complement a glowing, backlit stretch-fabric ceiling halo above the instructor platform, serving as the sculptural centrepiece. A collage of backlit stretch-fabric ceilings creates layered scenes to support pre-class focus and post-workout recovery, offering contrast to the saturated intensity of the studio. At the entrance, colours are extracted from display content across the video screen to drive gradients in the lighting system behind frosted glass. Warm finishes are complemented rather than overshadowed, with tuned, millwork-integrated, indirect illumination working in conjunction with the interior design. After hours, lighting is turned off except for dedicated spotlights, establishing a glowing beacon visible from outside that sparks curiosity and extends the studio’s identity into the public realm.

Technical detailing demanded precision: custom recessed linear housings were developed to integrate seamlessly with multi-layer ceiling systems, ensuring homogeneous lines of light. Backlit stretch-fabric ceilings required careful coordination during installation, while all millwork-integrated and vanity lighting details were designed to eliminate visible diodes and maintain clean illumination. Project pace and timing were critical, as the studio launch aligned with pre-scheduled classes, requiring efficient design, thorough documentation, and seamless communication between all consultants and trades. The DMX-based control system was carefully developed to meet the project’s complexity. Communication with integration partners was essential to identify the most suitable controls platform, produce riser diagrams, map luminaires, and coordinate programming involving manual and schedule-triggered static and dynamic scenes. Scenes, colour palettes, and schedules were established with the client, including automated triggers that synchronise lighting with class times. Equally important was ensuring seamless communication between lighting and AV systems so instructors could control both music and lighting through a single touchscreen. Final programming and commissioning refined the system into a flexible, intuitive tool that delivers reliable performance.

The project’s innovation and artistry have been recognised in national and local publications, reflecting its impact. By merging chromotherapy, dynamic lighting, advanced controls, and audio-visual elements, REFORMD raises the bar for fitness, demonstrating how lighting can be both performance-driven and poetic.