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Rethinking Clinical Interiors with Bolon: Texture, Tactility, and Trust

What if a therapy clinic didn’t feel clinical at all? What if walking through the door felt like an exhale, soft and surprisingly beautiful? That was the vision for interior architect Zuzanna Gąsior, who recently completed a radical transformation for Można Zwariować, a therapeutic clinic in Warsaw, Poland. With Bolon’s Sashiko flooring underfoot, she brought together tranquillity and thoughtful design for an environment that quietly supports healing.

This space redefines what a therapeutic clinic can look and feel like. What emotions or experiences did you want the design to evoke in visitors?
That’s a great question. Designing a therapeutic space is a real challenge. From the very beginning, together with our clients, we knew it had to promote calmness and inner peace. It’s an intimate environment where difficult conversations often take place, so the rooms had to be designed to avoid distractions or overwhelming elements. We wanted to create a clean, neutral canvas — a setting that supports the work between therapist and patient.

How did you use colour, texture, and materials to foster a therapeutic atmosphere?
We were really focused on exploring monochromatic tones — soft, gentle hues of grey, cream, and off-white. These colours help create a sense of calm and quietude in the space. Every material was chosen to contribute to a feeling of softness and subtlety, rather than stimulation.

Why did you choose Bolon for this project, and what qualities made it the right fit?
Flooring plays a huge role in how a space feels. It’s one of the first things both patients and therapists notice, and it really defines the character of the entire room. I’ve followed Bolon’s work for a long time and was waiting for the right opportunity to use it. This project felt special, although it's technically a private office or clinic, we needed something that could handle the requirements of a semi-public space with medium-intensity usage. Bolon was a perfect fit, combining durability with aesthetic quality.

How does Bolon’s flooring support your goals in terms of sustainability, durability, and sensory comfort?
We chose Sashiko, a new product from the Patricia Urquiola collection. I won’t lie — I was genuinely excited by its subtle pattern and Japanese-inspired aesthetic. It reminded me of a delicate tatami mat — a touch of calm sophistication. The quality really impressed us, and it brought a unique sense of texture and “magic” to the space. Since the other surfaces in the clinic are quite smooth and minimal, the floor added just the right amount of tactile contrast and visual interest.

How do you hope people feel when they walk into the clinic for the first time?
Haha, that’s a nice question. We had high hopes — and reality met them. Most people are genuinely surprised, in the best way, by how calm and minimal the space feels. It has a natural, grounding atmosphere that helps them unwind almost instantly. And that was exactly our intention. We’re really happy with the feedback we’ve received and how everything came together.

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