Overview
From a Tamarama living room to the launch of a second Darlinghurst studio, Body by Berner has come a long way in just five years. Founded by Bernadette Sukkar, a public relations director-turned-fitness expert, her much-loved studio initially got off the ground thanks to abundant social media attention and plenty of hard work. Now, she has a new standout location in Sydney's inner-east to offer pilates, sound healing, breathwork and meditation, adding to her OG spot in North Bondi.
Working alongside renowned architect Rob Harper on the brand's next chapter, this wellness destination isn't your everyday fitness haven. Inside, guests are immediately mesmerised by a seven-metre sculpture crafted from 100 percent recycled post-industrial PET. Produced using large-format 3D printing, the source material is a fascinating surprise — it's Bernadette and her studio's instructors, captured mid-practice and reconstructed in three dimensions.
Weighing nearly 500 kilograms, the process began with a body scan, followed by a series of computational design passes that gradually abstracted each pose, forging an architectural final product that still captures the essence of movement through its light-catching sheen. Fabricated by Marrickville's Composite Sydney, the rippling form also diverted unwanted plastic waste.
"I wanted the studio to feel like an extension of the work itself. The body in motion, translated into something permanent. The wall is the practice made visible," says Sukkar.
This isn't the first time Sukkar has commissioned artwork for her studios. At her home in Tamarama, the space was adorned with a mural by Surry Hills-based artist Daniel New, which served as both a brand statement and a backdrop. Meanwhile, the North Bondi studio features an eye-catching feature wall that aligns with the space's spirituality, materiality and movement ethos.
Now settled into her second studio space — bigger and more considered than what came before — Body by Berner operates across studio classes, corporate wellness programming and retreats, renowned for its sensory-led teaching style that integrates strength, stretch, breathwork and mindfulness. And with various class styles to suit your movement desires, finding the ideal way to get involved is made easy.
Body by Berner Darlinghurst is now open at 19A Boundary Street, Darlinghurst. Head to the website for more information.
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Images: Supplied.