How can architecture help ease the fear often associated with medical environments?
With this question as our starting point—and in close collaboration with the dentists—we designed a dental center that aims to offer patients a sense of safety and calm, while enabling the team to work with comfort and focus.
In the existing retail shell, we preserved the double-height entrance so the reception area immediately conveys the importance of the practice and creates a feeling of spaciousness from the first moment. The entry acts as a transition zone, helping patients decompress before treatment.
The plan follows a clear sequence from public to private. Moving inward from the street, spaces gradually shift from open and accessible to more controlled and intimate. Reception and waiting sit beneath a 6‑meter double height, creating a hotel‑lobby atmosphere and distancing the experience from the typical image of a dental clinic.
The two primary treatment rooms were designed with generous proportions to support multiple working scenarios. The layout allows dentists and assistants to operate comfortably, accommodates specialist staff when needed, and gives patients the option to be accompanied. The panoramic X‑ray unit was placed in a more secluded position, so it does not become a mandatory passage for all patients.
Back‑of‑house areas without patient access—such as the lab, sterilization, and server room—were organized at the rear of the practice, ensuring clear functional separation and smooth day‑to‑day operation.
The mezzanine level accommodates staff break areas, a meeting office, and a small kitchenette. The existing staircase was retained, and the space beneath it was used for storage—improving functionality without unnecessary cost.
The design complies fully with current accessibility and fire‑safety regulations. In addition, certain partitions were reinforced with lead to protect staff from frequent radiation exposure.
Throughout the design process, BIM (Building Information Modelling) was used to integrate all medical equipment into the 3D model, ensuring ergonomics, accuracy, and reliable operation already from the study phase.
We believe that the quality of space for the team is just as—if not more—important than that for visitors. When dentists and supporting staff work in a balanced and pleasant environment, this is directly reflected in the quality of care patients receive.
For custom joinery design, material selection, lighting, furniture, and the overall aesthetic upgrade, the dentists collaborated with Interior Architect Andrea Charalambous (Kivo Design House), who contributed decisively to creating a contemporary, calm, and welcoming environment.
