Cynthia Gage, Director, Marketing | BCCI Construction
Samyama, the Sanskrit word for “bind” or “hold together,” is a name well suited for a yoga center that goes beyond the typical studio and focuses on healing and community. Located in a new two-story, building in Palo Alto’s Midtown neighborhood, the client envisioned an inviting modern facility rooted in traditional yoga principles that would provide a sensory retreat for the mind, body, and soul.
To assist with project planning, BCCI Construction was brought on early to provide constructability expertise, cost and schedule control, alternative solutions and affordable, environmentally friendly materials without compromising on the design aesthetic. As the project was driven by intricate design details, BCCI’s team remained flexible throughout the process while decisions were made and the scope of the project evolved.
The downstairs of the new center offers its members an airy retail store with 22-foot ceilings and curvy bamboo casework; a zen lounge for reflection and relaxation; elegant, spa-like locker and shower rooms, and a massage therapy room. Upstairs a custom upholstered banquet wraps up the corridor leading to the main yoga room. The studio, dubbed ‘Ascension’, is a clean, white space that features modular art wall systems, sound proof double wall installation, and app-controlled state-of-the-art lighting and audio/visual systems – allowing instructors to transform the ambiance of the room through color and sound. Existing air handling rooftop units were relocated to eliminate potential mechanical noise and further enhance quietude in the main studio.
To meet the city’s parking requirements, a sophisticated garage lift was installed to increase parking capacity. Additionally the project was built in compliance with the Palo Alto Green Building Program and USGBC LEED CI Silver standards. Besides construction, BCCI provided LEED consulting services including the initial LEED goal setting charrette, green building management and documentation, and project submission for certification.
View the article, “Yoga is Sanskrit For Union,” featured in The Q | a publication by The Registry.
VIDEO: Learn more about the vision for Samyama Yoga Center from the studio’s founder, John Berg.
Explore more commercial interiors projects completed by BCCI.