When I’m working on a dental office design project I am always looking for interesting materials that will help me to create a unique space and interior branding message that is consistent with my client’s overall branding.  One of the sources for fun and interesting materials is the local architectural salvage store.  At Doc’s Architectural Salvage I can find all sorts of interesting treasures that can be incorporated into a project to help give it that special something that will make a memorable impact on the dentist’s patients. 

For example, old doors are very versatile.  Old barn doors can be brought inside and used as part of a conference room or meeting area where double doors are required.  Another neat feature is to use a door as the top for a conference room table.

Carriage Door Table

 

 

The unusualness of this alone is enough to stimulate an emotional response in patients and have them talking about their trip to the dentist to all of their friends.  Of course, this is what we want out of the interior design! 

The rich patina and distressed nature of so many of the objects to be found at a salvage store go a long way toward setting a definite mood.  By choosing the right pieces, richly worn but not broken down, a real feeling of comfort and hominess can be achieved.  Additionally, so many pieces capture a grandeur that isn’t often seen in late 20^th century architecture and furnishings.

Gothic Door

I’m also a big fan of mixing and matching materials and textures.  So, when I use something like an old chair or sofa, I like to breath new life into the piece by adding new cushions or upholstery.  New throw pillows also go a long way to helping to create a rich and comforting mood.  With the older pieces throw pillows made of leather really add a subtle up-scale touch to a waiting room.  Of course, we have to be conscious to use leather that has been treated for commercial applications.  After all, while the room may look like someone’s living room, it is going to receive a lot more wear-and-tear than one!

Also, adding a resin panel with an interesting pattern or color in place of glass in doors can help provide cohesion to a theme.  This feature is also a good way to allow natural light to pass into hallways from waiting areas without diminishing privacy.  I recently used Lumicor’s Botanicals in Natural Leaf in the French Doors leading from the waiting room to the treatment rooms as part of the remodel of Dr Robin Raub’s offices in Noblesville, Indiana.  This same leaf theme was also picked up in the upholstery fabric and coordinated with the framed prints of woodland ducks that Dr Raub has throughout his office.

So, even though the office is getting a facelift, this does not mean that everything in it has to be brand new.  Remember, one man’s junk, with a little creativity and innovation, can become another man’s treasure that will help to create a unique interior design and interior branding message that sets the new office apart from all it’s competitors.

(INDIANAPOLIS, IN. 2 October 2008) –James Kuester, principal of küster will be speaking to students at The Art Institute of Indianapolis on Thursday, 9 October 2008 as part of their “Pizza with the Pro” series.  The series is aimed at providing Interior Design students at The Art Institute an opportunity to hear first hand about the different directions their degree can take them in their career.  “We like to bring in professionals that are able to open our students’ minds,” says Nicole Stultz, Career Services Advisor for The Art Institute of Indianapolis.  “We order pizza for the students and they get to listen to [a professional’s] presentation,” adds Stultz.

I see a lot of dental practices in the U.S. and have a pretty good grasp on the variation of services that are out there.  The following blog post desribes one gentlemen’s recent trip to see a dentist in Sweden.  From his description, it sounds like the dental experience in Sweden is very similar to the current state-of-the-art in the U.S.  This begs the question, “How does the dental experience vary around the globe?”  I’d love to hear some examples.

http://markolson.ca/2008/08/11/visiting-the-swedish-dentist/

I have a project that is currently under construction and thought that seeing everyone would enjoy seeing a few pictures of how things are progressing.

Waiting Room Before Construction

Another angle on waiting room and reception desk.

The new reception desk under construction.

New Fireplace under construction.

Dr's office.

Over the last several weeks we have been discussing the five elements that comprise interior branding. As you recall these elements are: color, light, and texture; human interaction; application of technology; ergonomics; and the “defining touch”.  The objective is to craft the total experience for the patient and generate a set of emotional responses that will keep them coming back and will cause them to tell their friends about how great they think you and your practice is.  By paying close attention to the five elements and the interaction between them, what exists and occurs inside the four walls of your practice will be a strong, strategic tool for building your business.  Competition is stronger than ever and the days of merely hanging out a shingle and sitting back while the patients roll in are gone. 

Every experience a patient or prospective patient has when they set foot inside your front door defines your brand in their mind.  Leaving that experience to happenstance rather than having had defined and controlled it is a sure way to gamble with your practice’s future health.