The indoor environment and wayfinding system of the Water Sports Palace were designed by our studio in the wake of the World Summer Student Games in Yekaterinburg in 2023. The venue was created for top level competitions. The underlying motive of the design is constituted by different states of pure water. The space is divided into two theme domains: the first floor public areas imply the feeling of being under water, while the second and third floors evoke the imagination of being above water. The concept is interpreted by materials and technologies, which compose a cohesive sensation of water. This idea is expressed by the soft plasticity of shapes, color palette, dynamic ceiling designs and illumination that highlights functional zones. Each material possesses unique optical properties, helping to reveal the overall concept. The surfaces of the interior materials resemble the water surface, when any movement – a breeze, a touch or a drop – can cause water ripples.