Remi Connolly-Townsend, Founder of Remi C.T. Studio, discusses bringing a Blade Runner-inspired aesthetic to a wellness space with a bold and welcoming lighting scheme at the core.
Designed by Remi C.T. studio, Hot & Cold articulates wellness through design: compact, sequenced, and intentionally rigorous. The project positions recovery as a symbiotic interplay between design and wellness, where materiality, light, and rhythm align with the body’s natural cycles. Sauna and plunge unfold as a choreographed sequence, with each pod, corridor, and threshold calibrated to guide body and mind toward balance.
The journey begins in a reception of curved timber, where warm luminosity softens the threshold from street to sanctuary. A low-lit corridor slows the pace, leading to an introspective zone where subtle red and blue lighting signals heat and cold. Contrasts of warm and cool, shadow and glow, compression and release are distilled into a spatial language that heightens awareness and restores equilibrium.
This scheme is about bringing contrast therapy to the high road. Each pod operates as a self-contained environment. Timber slats and natural materials introduce rhythm and intimacy, while integrated lighting, concealed systems, and bespoke detailing refine the atmosphere. Even transitional elements — mirrored vanities, drying stations — extend the sense of completeness. Behind this calm, technically rigorous interiors, every junction and surface has been meticulously resolved, reinforcing Remi C.T.s ethos: architecture as a medium of both performance and poetry.
Located in Leytonstone, an emerging hub for design and creative enterprise, Hot & Cold reflects and contributes to the area’s momentum, situating wellness architecture within a wider narrative of design-led regeneration. For Remi C.T., the project exemplifies the studio’s philosophy: crafting spaces where material honesty, precision, and sensory experience converge, transforming the everyday into ritual.
Here, the Founder of Remi C.T. Studio, Remi Connolly-Townsend, discusses the finer details of the project including the use of materials and the lighting scheme, which thoughtfully balances function and creativity.
How did you become involved in this project?
Remi C.T. Studio was approached to design the scheme because of our strong ties to Leytonstone and our knowledge of the local area. Our roots here give us a unique perspective on shaping a space that feels both distinctive and accessible to the community.
What was the brief?
The brief was to craft a bold, original identity for a wellness space in an industry often defined by muted Scandinavian tones. We were asked to explore a neon, Blade Runner-inspired aesthetic that could feel simultaneously calming, intense, and immersive. Just as importantly, the space needed to function as an approachable, inviting presence on the high street – encouraging passers-by to step inside and engage with the experience.
Tell us about some of the design features that were unique to this project.
Several bespoke elements were introduced to elevate the ritual of the experience and connect with the audience. Custom timers and lighting above the pod doors, for example, were designed to guide visitors through their sessions while reinforcing the brand’s bold visual identity.
How did you approach the lighting design within this space?
Lighting was central to the concept, balancing brand expression with personal comfort. At a macro level, neon signage and banded light lines guide visitors from the street, through the corridor, and into the pod area. Inside the pods, the atmosphere shifts: harsh overhead lighting is replaced with subtle horizontal mood lighting, creating privacy and a calm, restorative environment.
Can you talk about the use of materials throughout?
We curated a palette of dark, textured finishes to bring depth and atmosphere to the space. Surfaces range from rustic black clay plaster by Clayworks, to smooth micro-cement, to subtly chalk-pigmented paint. The interplay of these contrasting textures allows light to move across the walls, giving the environment a refined yet tactile quality.
How did you tackle issues surrounding sustainability?
Sustainability was woven into every aspect of the design. Feature walls were crafted in Clayworks natural clay plaster, a low-carbon, non-toxic, and recyclable material, while timber elements were responsibly sourced to support healthier interiors. Beyond materials, we collaborated with M&E consultants to equip each pod with energy-efficient systems, ensuring the space not only looks good but also treads lightly on the environment.
What was the most challenging part about this project?
The biggest challenge was designing each pod as its own microclimate, capable of managing both hot and cold conditions while keeping users comfortable throughout their sessions. Achieving this required a careful balance of technical systems, passive cooling strategies, and spatial design—ensuring the experience felt both seamless and sustainable.
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