Aura of innovation at MIAD: Freehand reinvents wellness with DKTN

The first edition of the Madrid Inside Art & Design (MIAD) fair promises to mark a before and after in the world of interior design through creativity. The world’s leading design brands and studios have collaborated to create spaces specially designed for the event, which takes place in the iconic Las Ventas bullring. Ephemeral spaces that we would like to be forever. Among the participants who want to leave their mark in this first edition of the event is the Freehand Arquitectura studio, led by architect Lourdes Treviño, which stands out thanks to its proposal ‘Aura’, designed for Technogym.

‘Aura’ has been conceived as a space that transcends the boundaries of conventional luxury and enters a dimension where wellness becomes an enveloping sensory experience. According to Treviño, this project is based on the premise that “we are the most precious space we inhabit”, elevating the concept of self-care to a level where excellence in training blends harmoniously with a state-of-the-art relaxation area that includes a spa and is designed to revitalise body, mind and soul.

The choice of materials was crucial in capturing the vision for ‘Aura’, for which the studio chose DKTN Khalo from Cosentino’s Stonika collection for the wall cladding in the spa area. The ultra-compact stone allowed for easy installation and efficient logistics, while making the studio’s dream a reality: “We wanted to create a space with natural materials, serene colours and soft lines to create the perfect atmosphere to enrich the daily routine and provide a state of calm and rejuvenation. AURA is the ultimate expression of luxurious self-care, designed specifically for the comfort and style of the home,” says Treviño.

The decision to use DKTN Khalo for this project was a multi-faceted one, as it was influenced by both the technical properties of the material and its design. According to Treviño, working with this surface was “a luxury”, as it was perfectly suited to the demands and frenetic pace of preparing a space for a fair as important as MIAD.

The challenge of delivering such a large-scale project at such a prestigious event was also great, as the studio needed to stand out from the crowd of industry professionals and high-profile brands. “The challenge of fairs is always the ephemeral nature of the project and the pace of work,” the studio explains. “Together, Technogym and Freehand have created a unique space that redefines the holistic vision of the home. And Cosentino has made it very easy for us,” the architect says finally.