The words 'dental clinic' often evoke feelings of tension, unease, and anxiety. The design goal of this project is to enhance the comfort and relaxation of a dental clinic while maintaining professionalism and standards, so that every patient who enters can feel at ease and calm during their visit.
Professionalism Beyond the Surface
The functionality of a 'dental clinic' is different from other spaces. Before the design process, meeting the functional requirements of the space is a necessary prerequisite for making a clinic more professional and standardized. Firstly, the size of the consultation rooms and CT room must meet specific requirements; the minor surgery room must also comply with medical regulations, ensuring that the movement paths of doctors, patients, and medical waste do not intersect. After all the layout meets the regulatory standards, aesthetic considerations are then integrated.
"Integrating Architectural Design Language"
At the beginning of the project, a thorough examination of the site structure revealed that many columns and walls were immovable. The first design challenge was to fully utilize the building's structure, integrating it to make the entire space more fluid, rational, and comfortable. Fortunately, the spacing between the four load-bearing walls perfectly met the functional zoning requirements, allowing them to be used for compliant functional rooms such as the CT room and restrooms, which do not require natural light. To eliminate the disharmony caused by slanted walls and the overall layout, corresponding angled designs were implemented, giving the entire flow a stronger architectural design language. The placement of the reception area turned the originally angled structural elements into a well-suited focal point, creating a traffic hub for the entire space.
"A 'Green' Bridge Between Professionalism and Comfort"
In the environment of a dental clinic, visitors often experience feelings of unease and anxiety. The materials and colors used in the space are crucial in creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Considering the wide age range of visitors, the design incorporates extensive use of natural wood veneer throughout the space. The natural materials add a sense of lightness and comfort to what would otherwise be a mechanical and sterile environment.
The central reception area at the entrance serves as the focal point of the space. Gray terrazzo-textured tiles are used for the flooring, creating a strong visual anchor. A white relief panel is then used to form the logo wall, softening the rigidity of the gray brick wall while subtly highlighting the logo. This design adds a touch of casual elegance to the space.
The three small green squares on the wall create a 'green' bridge between professionalism and comfort. Green is used as an accent color, cleverly and intricately designed throughout the space. When the green square at the entrance of each consultation room lights up, it indicates that a doctor is in session. This not only serves a functional purpose but also adds a striking visual element to the wooden veneer wall, offering a refreshing and eye-catching effect.
Through the glass, you can see that each consultation room has a clean and sharp green light on the wall. This effect is actually created by a transparent glass panel that uses the thickness and green tint of the glass, combined with LED strips, to refract a green glow. While enhancing the technological feel, this 'green light' also connects the entire environment, infusing the space with a sense of vitality and natural relaxation.
Due to the relatively high ceiling, a segmented wall design was adopted. A portion of the white latex paint from the ceiling extends down the walls, lowering the visual focal point. Additionally, a continuous strip of ambient LED lighting enhances the ceiling’s transparency and gives the space a taller visual perception. This design choice also significantly reduces costs compared to covering the entire wall with paneling. On the upper portion of the segmented white latex walls, all room signs are arranged in an orderly fashion with a three-dimensional embossed texture, creating a sense of quiet order. This not only prevents the white walls from appearing plain and uninteresting but also adds a layer of meaning.
Even with just white walls, every detail is designed with a 'people-first' approach, which is the most fundamental starting point of the design.
▲Floor Plan
Project Information:
- Project Name: Ruian Ruixiang Dental Clinic
- Project Location: 692 Anyang North Road, Ruian, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province
- Project Type: Medical Clinic
- Project Area: 194 square meters
- Completion Date: March 2021
- Design Scope: Interior Design