Redefining Wellness in the Heart of Vancouver: The Zenden Story
DESIGN TALK
with Pria Rajput, Principal Designer/ Creative Director
Vancouver, BC - If you’ve ever walked through downtown Vancouver, you know how the city moves.. fast, focused, always on the go. It’s full of energy and ambition, but rarely pauses.
That’s why Zenden felt like something different from the start.
It wasn’t created to be another fitness club, it was designed to be the first true wellness sanctuary in downtown Vancouver. A place that slows the rhythm, softens the noise, and reminds people that wellness isn’t about performance, it’s about presence.
When I joined the project, construction was already underway. The plans were in motion, but something was missing. The space had structure, but it didn’t yet have soul.
And that’s where the real story of Zenden began.
That’s why Zenden felt like something different from the start.
It wasn’t created to be another fitness club, it was designed to be the first true wellness sanctuary in downtown Vancouver. A place that slows the rhythm, softens the noise, and reminds people that wellness isn’t about performance, it’s about presence.
When I joined the project, construction was already underway. The plans were in motion, but something was missing. The space had structure, but it didn’t yet have soul.
And that’s where the real story of Zenden began.
Stepping Into the Story Midway
Stepping into a project mid-construction can be a delicate dance. You’re entering a space that already has a plan, but not necessarily a purpose.
From the first site visit, I could sense there was potential beyond the existing drawings. The framework was solid but the feeling was off. It looked like a Wellness space, but it didn’t feel like one. It didn’t feel like what the client truly wanted to create.
That’s where I saw the opportunity: to take what existed and completely reimagine it.
Not by starting over, but by reframing the intent behind it.
Stepping into a project mid-construction can be a delicate dance. You’re entering a space that already has a plan, but not necessarily a purpose.
From the first site visit, I could sense there was potential beyond the existing drawings. The framework was solid but the feeling was off. It looked like a Wellness space, but it didn’t feel like one. It didn’t feel like what the client truly wanted to create.
That’s where I saw the opportunity: to take what existed and completely reimagine it.
Not by starting over, but by reframing the intent behind it.
From Old to New: Breathing Life Into Firefly
From the very beginning, Zenden was never meant to be a gym. The biggest thing missing wasn’t aesthetic, it was identity.
There was no clear sense of what Zenden stood for, or the kind of life it wanted to inspire.
And that, to me, is where true design begins.
Design is not just about interiors, it’s about building a brand that people can feel.
So that’s what we set out to do. We crafted Zenden as a lifestyle experience — one that lives far beyond the walls of the space.
From the moment you walk through the doors, there’s an emotional throughline. The lighting, scent, and sound are deliberate. The materials are warm and grounding. Every surface invites touch, every corner invites calm.
But it doesn’t stop there.
The experience extends into community from bar activations to wellness rituals, and even midnight DJ events that transform the sanctuary into a space of connection and rhythm.
That’s what I love most about this project: it blurs the line between design and brand. Between business and lifestyle. Between what you see and what you feel.
This is where my passion lies, not just designing interiors, but shaping immersive identities that move people.
From the very beginning, Zenden was never meant to be a gym. The biggest thing missing wasn’t aesthetic, it was identity.
There was no clear sense of what Zenden stood for, or the kind of life it wanted to inspire.
And that, to me, is where true design begins.
Design is not just about interiors, it’s about building a brand that people can feel.
So that’s what we set out to do. We crafted Zenden as a lifestyle experience — one that lives far beyond the walls of the space.
From the moment you walk through the doors, there’s an emotional throughline. The lighting, scent, and sound are deliberate. The materials are warm and grounding. Every surface invites touch, every corner invites calm.
But it doesn’t stop there.
The experience extends into community from bar activations to wellness rituals, and even midnight DJ events that transform the sanctuary into a space of connection and rhythm.
That’s what I love most about this project: it blurs the line between design and brand. Between business and lifestyle. Between what you see and what you feel.
This is where my passion lies, not just designing interiors, but shaping immersive identities that move people.
“Design is not just about interiors, it’s about building a brand that people can feel.”
From Design to Experience
Every detail in Zenden is built on intention. The lighting mirrors natural circadian rhythms, encouraging the body to relax. Materiality reflects authenticity — stone, timber, texture, and warmth. The color palette balances calm with energy, evoking a sense of quiet sophistication.
The flow of the space is guided by psychology, not signage. People are subtly led from open energy to intimate calm through cues in form, material, and sound. It’s intuitive, not instructional.
That’s the beauty of wellness design, when the environment quietly teaches you how to be present.
Every detail in Zenden is built on intention. The lighting mirrors natural circadian rhythms, encouraging the body to relax. Materiality reflects authenticity — stone, timber, texture, and warmth. The color palette balances calm with energy, evoking a sense of quiet sophistication.
The flow of the space is guided by psychology, not signage. People are subtly led from open energy to intimate calm through cues in form, material, and sound. It’s intuitive, not instructional.
That’s the beauty of wellness design, when the environment quietly teaches you how to be present.
The Challenge of Change
Reworking a project that’s already under construction is never simple. There are technical constraints, budget implications, and egos to navigate. But leadership in design isn’t about avoiding conflict, it’s about seeing the bigger picture and inspiring others to see it too.
When I started sharing the new vision, through sketches, material boards, and storytelling, people began to understand what Zenden could become.
It wasn’t just a renovation; it was a reinvention.
And slowly, the energy shifted. The client started to see the potential. The team felt re-energized. And the project came back to life, this time, aligned with its true purpose.
What Zenden Represents
Zenden represents something bigger than a single project.
It’s proof that wellness can be redefined, that it’s not about how hard you push, but how deeply you connect.
It’s a space that encourages you to linger, to listen to yourself, and to feel human again — right in the middle of a fast-moving city.
For me personally, Zenden has reaffirmed why I do what I do.
Design, when done with intention, can transform not just environments, but emotions.
It’s not about the materials or the floor plans, it’s about creating experiences that change how people feel the moment they walk in.
For Rajput and Black Label Designs, the project reflects their specialty in hospitality design, creating spaces that not only look good but also work hard for owners, staff, and guests alike.
Reworking a project that’s already under construction is never simple. There are technical constraints, budget implications, and egos to navigate. But leadership in design isn’t about avoiding conflict, it’s about seeing the bigger picture and inspiring others to see it too.
When I started sharing the new vision, through sketches, material boards, and storytelling, people began to understand what Zenden could become.
It wasn’t just a renovation; it was a reinvention.
And slowly, the energy shifted. The client started to see the potential. The team felt re-energized. And the project came back to life, this time, aligned with its true purpose.
What Zenden Represents
Zenden represents something bigger than a single project.
It’s proof that wellness can be redefined, that it’s not about how hard you push, but how deeply you connect.
It’s a space that encourages you to linger, to listen to yourself, and to feel human again — right in the middle of a fast-moving city.
For me personally, Zenden has reaffirmed why I do what I do.
Design, when done with intention, can transform not just environments, but emotions.
It’s not about the materials or the floor plans, it’s about creating experiences that change how people feel the moment they walk in.
For Rajput and Black Label Designs, the project reflects their specialty in hospitality design, creating spaces that not only look good but also work hard for owners, staff, and guests alike.
Zenden isn’t just a space. It’s a feeling, one that starts with design, lives through experience, and stays long after you leave.
About Black Label Designs
Black Label Designs is a Canadian studio specializing in branding and interiors for hospitality, wellness, and retail spaces. Led by Principal Designer Pria Rajput, the studio merges art-forward aesthetics with strategy to craft spaces that drive both community and commerce.
Black Label Designs is a Canadian studio specializing in branding and interiors for hospitality, wellness, and retail spaces. Led by Principal Designer Pria Rajput, the studio merges art-forward aesthetics with strategy to craft spaces that drive both community and commerce.
