The why? THE WHY?

My clients took over as practice owners last year so they decided to use this opportunity to re-brand the dental practice and design an interior that aligned and reflected them as people (they are both outdoorsy types enjoying the natural environment) and their approach to dentistry. Implementing a re-branding strategy to introduce "Discover Dental" with a new logo, website, practice interior and natural aesthetic to convey a fresh approach to dental care. It was to incorporate green star-rated and sustainably produced textiles and materials to reflect the client's commitment to eco-friendly practices. It was to offer a unique experience to patients by being a welcoming, relaxing and engaging experience. It needed to enhance the business's appeal and attract new clientele through a visually appealing, fresh and welcoming interior design. The new name Discover Dental was derived to aid patients to discover a new way of dental consultation through a holistic approach and steering away from a clinical or corporate type approach to the interior and consultation experience.

THE IDEA:

The design strategy that I utilised was to be neither over designed or cliché in the approach to the interior and branding alignment for the dental practice. I engaged a graphic designer I had previously worked with to design a simple logo using non-serif type faces that incorporated the colours used in the interior scheme, the logo was not to include a typical “graphic representation of a tooth” as is usually seen in dentistry logos. I pulled together an image of a watercolour representation of a horizon to be developed into a full lenth mural, this, in combination with the use of curves and soft shapes in the furniture and waiting lounge along with the use of organic materials such as stone, timber veneer and references to natural NZ elements in the interior was engaged to reflect the clients brief of a natural aesthetic. A loungey feel was proposed for the waiting area rather than the usual rows of utilitarian seating in a cold, uninviting, brightly lit environment. The mural was to “lead the way” to the consulting rooms. A soft, simple colour palette chosen to encompass the natural look and this was to be carried through the furnishings. Where possible I looked for materials that were locally sourced, sustainably produced and had longevity.

THE DESIGN:

Upon arriving at the dental practice patients are greeted by 3 staff behind a stone clad reception desk set in front of the new branding on the cabinetry behind the reception desk. An accent carpet strip incorporating texture and use of the colours in the interior scheme frames the desk and anchors it on the dark grey carpet. On the left of the entrance doors in front of the reception desk, is a custom image of a tui on flax pods taken in the local harbour that starts setting the scene for the nature theme of the practice interior. I chose to use a custom designed and printed mural representing a watercolour landscape instead of plain painted walls. The mural was to be visually soft and to represent the natural environment. Furthermore it starts on the left as a glimpse of what is yet to come - which is a full height watercolour image of the landscape – the eye is then drawn to the right where a prominent corner in the room has the full height mural wrapping around it as it heads down the hallway and around a corner in the distance. The mural is a work of art in its own right. I altered the mural graphic design significantly so that it created visual movement and lead the way for the patients to discover the waiting lounge located behind a veneer clad open room with curved corners and down to the consulting rooms. 

The waiting lounge was to be delineated as such so it too utilised natural materials timber veneer walls that wraps itself around the patients offering a feeling of being at home. The curved corners used in the walls framing the wait lounge was repeated on the furniture shapes whilst ensuring that the design of the furniture was comfortable and easy for people of all ages to use, so individual chairs had arms to allow older patients ease of standing. Quirky lighting such as seen in a typical NZ interiors included a large custom made light fitting added volume in a corner along with glass table lamp and cluster of white shades with shapes reflected from the shapes seen in the accent carpet used in the lounge area. Textiles used had high rub and soil test results but felt warm, luxe and tactile to the fingertips. I chose to work with a local designer/manufacturer for the custom furniture pieces to not only support local industry but to offer a quality solution that I knew would last the distance. Textile colours referenced the watercolour mural imagery palette. 

The surgeries all were to be painted in individual very pale soft greens, blues and greys with perforated plywood used in ceiling recesses directly above the patient chairs – again reflecting the natural environment in a simple way. 

All the materials chosen were hardwearing, reconstituted, sustainably produced and low impact on the environment creating a timeless interior that will last a long time.

What elevates the work. 

The whole approach to this practice design being structured around home comfort and natural elements goes totally against the typical approach to dentistry practice design in so far as its offering a welcoming, relaxing and engaging environment. The feedback from patients is very positive so far and practice staff report that patients are engaging with each other in the lounge. The soft colours, imagery and textures used encourage relaxation and a level of confidence in the professional environment of the practice aims to also increase brand awareness and reach new markets by establishing a distinct and memorable identity for Discover Dental.