Küster Dental Weblog

One third of the first element of Interior Branding is Light, from Color, Light, and Texture. As part of a dental office design project it is important to consider how light is going to impact the overall design. One recent project was a build-out in a strip mall with only windows along the front of the space. These very tall, floor to ceiling windows faced directly to the West, filling the waiting room with plenty of afternoon and evening light. Given the shape of the space, unfortunately, there was no way to get any natural light into the operatories. Thus, we had to utilize artificial light to fully fill the operatories with light in a way that would not create a glare.

In another recent dental office design, the complete opposite was the case. This dental office build-out was in a medical office building and the practice was situated in a great corner location. Each of the operatories were given its own tall, slender window. These windows faced East, so the operatories are bathed in early morning light. Rather than having to find a solution to getting more light into the operatories, we were faced with finding proper window treatments that would not diminish the bounty of the light, but keep glare out of the patient’s eyes. In order to channel the abundant natural light deeper into the office, clerestory windows were placed in the opposite walls from the windows.

Every dental office design project poses its own challenges in terms of how to incorporate light, especially natural light, to its best effect. Each room, especially the operatories, need sufficient light to avoid eye strain, yet temper abundant light to avoid glare. Finding the proper balance can make all the difference in how the office feels on a day-to-day basis.