One Playground Studio Spotlight: North Sydney
How would you describe the North Sydney location’s identity in terms of design, atmosphere, and overall feel?
The North Sydney studio feels refined, calm, and highly intentional. It represents a more elevated, minimal expression of One Playground - grounded in sophisticated design and a strong attention to detail. Anya Pesce’s artwork lines the walls, adding a curated, gallery-like feel, while unique materiality and a refined colour palette bring depth and warmth to the space.
The atmosphere is focused without feeling overwhelming, creating a space that is both energising and grounding - allowing members to train with purpose and for performance while remaining present.
What was the core idea or feeling you wanted people to experience the moment they walk into this space?
A sense of reset. Walking in should feel like stepping out of the noise of the day and into a space where you can focus on yourself. It’s about creating that immediate shift from busy and reactive to calm, clear, and in control.
At the same time, we want people to feel fully immersed in the experience. There’s a mix of excitement and comfort - it feels energising, but still welcoming. From the moment you arrive, everything is designed to feel intentional. There’s a smile at the front desk, the music hits just right, and the space just feels good to be in.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, we want our members to feel seen, supported, and part of the community. We also understand that everyone’s journey is personal. Everyone has their own goals, their own reasons for showing up and we really try to reflect that in the space. From quick chats at the front desk to more in-depth coaching, to the small details like scent and complimentary tea, it all adds up to how people feel when they’re here.
At the end of the day, we wanted North Sydney to feel like more than just a place you have to go to train - but somewhere you actually want to be.
How does the architecture or layout of this studio influence the way people move and train within it?
The layout is designed to feel intuitive from the moment you walk in. Open zones create freedom of movement, while clearly defined areas provide structure without feeling restrictive. The space is intentionally split across two distinct environments. The lower-level houses our fitness studios — darker, more immersive, and high-energy, almost like stepping into another world. In contrast, the top floor is dedicated to wellness, designed to feel light, bright, and calming. This contrast encourages a natural flow throughout the space, making it easy to transition between strength, classes, recovery, and wellness without disruption.
At the core of the design is the member experience. There’s no cookie-cutter approach - each space has been thoughtfully created to reflect the community it serves. At North Sydney, that means balancing energy with moments of calm, allowing members to move seamlessly between high performance and reset.
Every detail has been considered through the lens of how people use the space day to day, resulting in an environment that feels both effortless and intentional to train in.
How does light, sound, and materiality come together to shape the mood of the studio?
They work together to create a space that feels immersive. Light plays a key role in shifting the energy and there’s a natural contrast across the space, with lighter, more open areas designed to feel calm and restorative, and darker, more controlled environments that build focus and intensity.
Materiality adds depth and warmth. A refined palette and layered textures create a sense of balance - combining softer, more calming finishes with industrial, performance-driven elements. As you move through the space, there’s a subtle shift in how it feels, which helps guide your experience without it needing to be overly obvious.
Sound is just as considered. In higher-energy areas, it’s immersive and motivating, helping to elevate performance. In contrast, wellness and recovery spaces are more contained and quieter, allowing people to slow down, reset, and switch off without distraction.
Together, these elements create a space that feels dynamic but cohesive - supporting both intensity and calm and allowing members to move between the two depending on what they need.
Are there any new or signature classes or offerings at this studio that feel unique compared to other One Playground locations?
There’s a stronger emphasis on structured training and performance, alongside recovery and wellness offerings. It’s less about variety for the sake of it, and more about delivering a clear, purposeful training experience that supports long-term progression.
We’ve built our classes around how people actually train, not just what’s trending. Every program has a purpose, and together they form a complete fitness ecosystem under one roof. Our five purpose-built class concepts - Pulse, Force, Surge, Space, and Reformer - are each designed to help members look, perform, and feel better.
Behind these programs is our world-class team of instructors, each a master in their craft and deeply passionate about what they do. They bring energy, expertise, and genuine connection to every session, in turn elevating the experience far beyond just a workout.
After a session here, where’s your go-to spot in North Sydney for a coffee reset?
It has to be Two Good Co. or Cali Press.
Cali Press is a go-to after our weekly run club - it’s become a bit of a ritual for the community to head there post-run and catch-up over a coffee. OneRun is complimentary and open to everyone. You can sign up here - https://oneplayground.com.au/one-run-north-sydney/
We also love supporting Two Good Co. not just for the coffee, but for what they stand for. They’re a social enterprise supporting women impacted by domestic violence and homelessness, so it’s a place where you can feel good about where you’re going, not just what you’re ordering.
You can find out more about One Playground North Sydney here - https://oneplayground.com.au/gyms/northsydney/
Insights from Shelley Allen - PR & Communications Manager at One Playground.
How would you describe the North Sydney location’s identity in terms of design, atmosphere, and overall feel?
The North Sydney studio feels refined, calm, and highly intentional. It represents a more elevated, minimal expression of One Playground - grounded in sophisticated design and a strong attention to detail. Anya Pesce’s artwork lines the walls, adding a curated, gallery-like feel, while unique materiality and a refined colour palette bring depth and warmth to the space.
The atmosphere is focused without feeling overwhelming, creating a space that is both energising and grounding - allowing members to train with purpose and for performance while remaining present.
What was the core idea or feeling you wanted people to experience the moment they walk into this space?
A sense of reset. Walking in should feel like stepping out of the noise of the day and into a space where you can focus on yourself. It’s about creating that immediate shift from busy and reactive to calm, clear, and in control.
At the same time, we want people to feel fully immersed in the experience. There’s a mix of excitement and comfort - it feels energising, but still welcoming. From the moment you arrive, everything is designed to feel intentional. There’s a smile at the front desk, the music hits just right, and the space just feels good to be in.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, we want our members to feel seen, supported, and part of the community. We also understand that everyone’s journey is personal. Everyone has their own goals, their own reasons for showing up and we really try to reflect that in the space. From quick chats at the front desk to more in-depth coaching, to the small details like scent and complimentary tea, it all adds up to how people feel when they’re here.
At the end of the day, we wanted North Sydney to feel like more than just a place you have to go to train - but somewhere you actually want to be.
How does the architecture or layout of this studio influence the way people move and train within it?
The layout is designed to feel intuitive from the moment you walk in. Open zones create freedom of movement, while clearly defined areas provide structure without feeling restrictive. The space is intentionally split across two distinct environments. The lower-level houses our fitness studios — darker, more immersive, and high-energy, almost like stepping into another world. In contrast, the top floor is dedicated to wellness, designed to feel light, bright, and calming. This contrast encourages a natural flow throughout the space, making it easy to transition between strength, classes, recovery, and wellness without disruption.
At the core of the design is the member experience. There’s no cookie-cutter approach - each space has been thoughtfully created to reflect the community it serves. At North Sydney, that means balancing energy with moments of calm, allowing members to move seamlessly between high performance and reset.
Every detail has been considered through the lens of how people use the space day to day, resulting in an environment that feels both effortless and intentional to train in.
How does light, sound, and materiality come together to shape the mood of the studio?
They work together to create a space that feels immersive. Light plays a key role in shifting the energy and there’s a natural contrast across the space, with lighter, more open areas designed to feel calm and restorative, and darker, more controlled environments that build focus and intensity.
Materiality adds depth and warmth. A refined palette and layered textures create a sense of balance - combining softer, more calming finishes with industrial, performance-driven elements. As you move through the space, there’s a subtle shift in how it feels, which helps guide your experience without it needing to be overly obvious.
Sound is just as considered. In higher-energy areas, it’s immersive and motivating, helping to elevate performance. In contrast, wellness and recovery spaces are more contained and quieter, allowing people to slow down, reset, and switch off without distraction.
Together, these elements create a space that feels dynamic but cohesive - supporting both intensity and calm and allowing members to move between the two depending on what they need.
Are there any new or signature classes or offerings at this studio that feel unique compared to other One Playground locations?
There’s a stronger emphasis on structured training and performance, alongside recovery and wellness offerings. It’s less about variety for the sake of it, and more about delivering a clear, purposeful training experience that supports long-term progression.
We’ve built our classes around how people actually train, not just what’s trending. Every program has a purpose, and together they form a complete fitness ecosystem under one roof. Our five purpose-built class concepts - Pulse, Force, Surge, Space, and Reformer - are each designed to help members look, perform, and feel better.
Behind these programs is our world-class team of instructors, each a master in their craft and deeply passionate about what they do. They bring energy, expertise, and genuine connection to every session, in turn elevating the experience far beyond just a workout.
After a session here, where’s your go-to spot in North Sydney for a coffee reset?
It has to be Two Good Co. or Cali Press.
Cali Press is a go-to after our weekly run club - it’s become a bit of a ritual for the community to head there post-run and catch-up over a coffee. OneRun is complimentary and open to everyone. You can sign up here - https://oneplayground.com.au/one-run-north-sydney/
We also love supporting Two Good Co. not just for the coffee, but for what they stand for. They’re a social enterprise supporting women impacted by domestic violence and homelessness, so it’s a place where you can feel good about where you’re going, not just what you’re ordering.
You can find out more about One Playground North Sydney here.
Insights from Shelley Allen - PR & Communications Manager at One Playground.