Zuzu Space [Yoga Studio]
location Kharkiv (Ukraine) / area 1,076 ft²/ year 2019 /budget 130 000$ / duration 3 month
Beneath the ZUZU restaurant, we uncovered a space whose very existence had long been forgotten. Hidden under layers of soil, surrounded by old pipes and concrete vaults, lay a half-buried basement — true catacombs that we excavated, restored, and transformed into a bright, breathing space for yoga and mindfulness practice.
CONSTRUCTION
The project began with extensive earthworks: we dug down to the original floor level, replaced all the building’s outdated utilities, including heating, sewage, and water supply systems. Every technical line was carefully consolidated into a single service zone, keeping the space clean, structured, and free from future maintenance risks.
Despite having no windows at all, the interior feels open and full of light. Through carefully planned lighting design, ventilation systems, and a subtle balance of materials, we created the sensation of natural illumination and easy air circulation. The atmosphere feels serene and fresh — a place that truly breathes.
The 5.5-meter-high ceilings became a key element of spatial freedom. We used the vertical volume to enhance acoustics, support natural ventilation, and maintain a sense of openness that allows both light and air to flow naturally through the space.
The 5.5-meter-high ceilings became a key element of spatial freedom. We used the vertical volume to enhance acoustics, support natural ventilation, and maintain a sense of openness that allows both light and air to flow naturally through the space.
The interior, designed by Nikita Feoktistov, merges natural simplicity with architectural precision. The main yoga hall features one wall fully mirrored and another entirely green — a vertical garden stretching from floor to ceiling, forming a natural axis of calm. Wooden panels made from oiled, polished plywood give the appearance of solid timber and create a warm acoustic character.
The studio also includes locker rooms with showers, compact technical zones, and a small relaxation area. All mechanical systems — ventilation, air conditioning, heating, and lighting — were seamlessly integrated to preserve the purity of the architectural lines and the sense of tranquility.
The finishing touch came from furniture brought from Sri Lanka — antique pieces made of black teak, salvaged from an old temple. These objects added both depth and authenticity, becoming silent witnesses of time and serenity.
Through this process, a buried basement evolved into a space of light and stillness — a place where concrete breathes, wood resonates, and the past and present coexist in one rhythm.
The finishing touch came from furniture brought from Sri Lanka — antique pieces made of black teak, salvaged from an old temple. These objects added both depth and authenticity, becoming silent witnesses of time and serenity.
Through this process, a buried basement evolved into a space of light and stillness — a place where concrete breathes, wood resonates, and the past and present coexist in one rhythm.
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Project Execution Overview — “Zuzu Space”
• Full excavation of a half-buried basement under ZUZU Restaurant, with soil removal and structural stabilization.
• Waterproofing and reinforcement of existing walls and vaults.
• Replacement and rerouting of all utilities: heating, plumbing, sewage, electrical, ventilation.
• Integration of all technical systems into a consolidated service zone.
• Installation of HVAC and climate systems ensuring constant air circulation and temperature control.
• Restoration and expansion of ceiling height up to 5.5 meters.
• Development of a custom lighting system imitating natural daylight in a windowless environment.
• Finishing of walls and floors with polished micro-concrete, forming a seamless monolithic shell.
• Construction of men’s and women’s locker rooms with showers.
• Main yoga hall: full-height mirror wall + vertical living green wall for balance and light diffusion.
• Finishes: oiled plywood panels, metal and glass detailing, handcrafted furniture.
• Integration of reclaimed black teak furniture from Sri Lanka, sourced from an old temple.
• Full excavation of a half-buried basement under ZUZU Restaurant, with soil removal and structural stabilization.
• Waterproofing and reinforcement of existing walls and vaults.
• Replacement and rerouting of all utilities: heating, plumbing, sewage, electrical, ventilation.
• Integration of all technical systems into a consolidated service zone.
• Installation of HVAC and climate systems ensuring constant air circulation and temperature control.
• Restoration and expansion of ceiling height up to 5.5 meters.
• Development of a custom lighting system imitating natural daylight in a windowless environment.
• Finishing of walls and floors with polished micro-concrete, forming a seamless monolithic shell.
• Construction of men’s and women’s locker rooms with showers.
• Main yoga hall: full-height mirror wall + vertical living green wall for balance and light diffusion.
• Finishes: oiled plywood panels, metal and glass detailing, handcrafted furniture.
• Integration of reclaimed black teak furniture from Sri Lanka, sourced from an old temple.
From an early age, I’ve had the ability to adapt quickly to complex situations and find solutions where others see only dead ends. This trait has become my key tool in managing large-scale projects: from overcoming construction challenges to navigating documentation and regulatory approvals. I solve problems fast — to keep moving forward — and thoroughly — so there’s never a need to revisit them.
My work is about complete transformation. I take the keys to an abandoned, empty space and leave only when the tables are set, the plates are ready, and the manager receives the symbolic new keys tied with a ribbon. It’s a journey from chaos to structure, from a bare framework to a space that operates as a seamless mechanism. And it’s this responsibility for the final result that defines me and my work.
My work is about complete transformation. I take the keys to an abandoned, empty space and leave only when the tables are set, the plates are ready, and the manager receives the symbolic new keys tied with a ribbon. It’s a journey from chaos to structure, from a bare framework to a space that operates as a seamless mechanism. And it’s this responsibility for the final result that defines me and my work.
artur.mishuk@gmail.com
