In the Flow

WORDS Kim Newth PHOTOS Dennis Radermacher

Thoughtfully designed to uplift the spirits, Flow Wellbeing Centre at 229 Fitzgerald Ave is an oasis of tranquillity within easy reach of the city centre. With beautiful new yoga studios and relaxing therapeutic consultation rooms, this is a great place to refresh and recharge.

Finding peace and quiet in a beautiful place can be challenging in today’s busy world. Thankfully, Flow Wellbeing Centre makes it easy to get in the calm zone with purpose-built facilities created for the Christchurch community and with wellbeing in mind.

Flow’s co-owners, Victoria and Steve Pomeroy, who also own Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn next door, are to be commended for providing the vision and drive behind this welcoming community haven.

For the project design team at Ōtautahi’s Field Studio, the journey started in an interesting way … with yoga sessions. “We needed to see how they were using their existing space, so it made sense for us to practice with them and ask lots of questions,” says Andrew Just, Director of Field Studio. The centre is laid out as two separate buildings – with Flow Yoga in one and Flow Therapeutics in the other – and with yard car parking between them. Flow Yoga’s premises include two expansive yoga studios – Earth and Fire – along with reception, waiting areas, and changing facilities. Flow Therapeutics includes wellappointed consultancy rooms, along with Opti-mum support facilities and a smaller yoga studio (‘Water’).

“It was quite challenging to fit everything on site, particularly with most facilities being single-storey. Yet, with extra volumes in the bigger rooms, these buildings project a lot of 3D presence. It has been nice seeing people’s response to the design. Many say it’s beautiful and find it really calming and reassuring. We do a lot of values-based work, and, for us, this project really speaks to that.”

Finished in red brick with detailed cornices and striking rooflines, the exterior styling is a shout-out to the heritage of this former Wards brewery site, notable in years gone by for its brick malt houses, kilns, and courtyards.

“We wanted to do something nice with new bricks that would also tie into the site’s history. We worked closely with local bricklayers Coastal Brick & Block, using bricks supplied out of Darfield. You can see the care that has gone into the design and build of it – we’re very satisfied with how it came together.”

Contemporary roundels, used to symbolise various parts of the centre, are a reference to the roundels that were once a feature of the old brewery buildings too.

A key design challenge for the Field Studio team was how to create a relaxing retreat, given the location right alongside busy Fitzgerald Ave. Their solution was to use multiple layers to shield the interior from the outside world. “You pass under a canopy at the main entrance to Flow Yoga and then walk past reception to a waiting area. There’s a corridor after that, providing additional separation before finally leading through to the studio and changing facilities. It feels very sheltered and private.”

Considered interior design and exclusive designer lighting by ECC add another careful layer. Every space has its own unique atmosphere, shaped by the bespoke lighting choices and inspired interior.

Powell Fenwick Consultants contributed a high standard of service and mechanical engineering to ensure this centre runs as efficiently as possible, adding to the sense of quiet, comfort, and calm.

The vision for Flow Wellbeing was to provide a place for the community, where people would be comfortable ‘to come to the mat’ and find a practice that would leave them feeling enlivened and revitalised. In 2023, this is the place to go to unwind.

Richard Dalman Managing Director, Dalman Architects dalman.co.nz