Ukrainian designer Anastasiia Tempynska combined futuristic details with fleshy materials that evoke the human body when creating the interior of the 13 Laser clinic and spa in Kyiv.
Tempynska created an interior for 13 Laser which reflects the innovative technologies the clinic uses to perform procedures such as laser hair removal and skin resurfacing, in addition to traditional treatments such as massages and facials.
“I aimed to achieve a contrast between natural softness, expressed in textures and materials, and something unnatural associated with human activity – mirrors, neon, metal – something that looks like perfection,” Tempynska told Dezeen.
“I also wanted to achieve a subtle yet simple aesthetic of luxury,” added the designer who founded her studio Temp Project in 2021.
The clinic consists of a generous reception and five treatment rooms, including a larger space that can be booked by couples or friends. It is located on the ground floor of a modern housing complex and, prior to installation, was an empty shell with red brick walls and concrete columns.
Tempynska introduced a palette of muted shades of gray and white that provide a minimalist background, upon which she layers metallic finishes and matte textures in line with the design of the medical equipment.
The result is a futuristic aesthetic that is brightened and warmed by touches of pink and light blue, applied to furniture and elements such as an illuminated sign in the reception area.
The technological aesthetic is enhanced by custom-made elements such as an angled mirror that looks like it was laser cut.
Scientific equipment such as flasks and beakers updated the glass block wall in the reception area, while exposed utilities on the ceiling contribute to the sci-fi feel.
The designer also sought to evoke the spa’s focus on the human body through the use of tones and textural materials reminiscent of anatomical features.
The bouclé texture of several soft seating areas was chosen to refer to skin irregularities when magnified under a microscope, while a lumpy side table was painted a fleshy pink.
“I was looking for a second-order correlation to manifest the theme of physicality within the futuristic concept,” Tempynska said.
“It was the color pink—the color of redness in the skin that reacts to cosmetic procedures. It’s also the color of the palm of your hand when you look at it on a sunny day.”
The theme of nature was manifested in the monolithic reception, which weighs 400 kg and is made of concrete painted to resemble a solid piece of stone.
Other elements with rough texture or patterns were chosen to enhance the natural feel, with ceramic floor tiles complementing the stone-like desk surface.
The edge of a pockmarked console table evokes the texture of a pumice stone used to exfoliate the skin, while the uneven wall behind the reception desk recalls the mud used for some of the spa treatments.
Most of the furniture featured in the project was custom-made, including a tubular floor lamp with integrated flower vases located near the entrance.
The angled mirror on wheels was designed to take interesting selfies, while the special illuminated inscription refers to the pulse of a laser.
Tempynska worked for several design studios before setting up her own office. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 left her briefly out of a job. However, clients gradually returned and he has since completed many projects despite the challenges posed by the ongoing war.
“There was a time when we worked without communication and electricity,” recalls the designer. “I couldn’t leave the left bank of the Dnipro and often couldn’t call the builders.”
“When I came to their workshop, they illuminated the products with a flashlight, but we work and believe in our victory,” he continued.
Other recently completed projects in Kyiv include Olga Fradina’s relaxing, monochromatic interior for a wellness center called Space and a renovated loft apartment with city views.
Photo by Yevhenii Avramenko.
