Building Design Considerations for Health Facilities (Sole Focus Podiatry)
Health facilities are typically driven by practicality and strict compliance parameters, which often trumps the budget for aesthetics; leaving spaces feeling clinical. Our client at Sole Focus Podiatry had a mission to break free of this typical mould to create a space that blurred the lines between welcoming and clean. Working closely with the client during their re-branding process, it was important the space had synergy with their keywords Warm, Personal, Innovative and Luxurious.
The repetitious vertical dowels and tiles at the entry reception draw your eye up toward the textural, warm ceiling, wrapped in warm curving lights which immerses you in the space. Next, you hear the calming music and smell the incense whilst greeted with a cup of tea. The standout feature is the way the holistic environment impacts your mood and creates a sense of calm as you enter the space. This feeling assists in blurring the lines between health care and self-care.
Functionally, the client needed to house three podiatry treatment rooms, assessment room, sterilising and grinding area, trolley storage, staff kitchenette, lunchroom, a small treatment pod, reception, waiting area and two rentable general practitioner rooms to assist with an additional revenue stream. These spaces needed to be compact, but curvaceous and luxurious, which was a real challenge with a usable floor plate of 140m2.
The building pre-existed with egress issues which drove the design to a smaller floor plate, allowing for a single exit to the street in 30 meters. It also impacted the type of work that could be performed on the site to ensure the ABCB definition of a class 5 health facility could be applied to the building classification. The building entry did not comply with accessibility standards, requiring ramping and shuffling of existing carparks to achieve access into the building. The building positioned in a priority development precinct, enabled this project to be viable from a parking perspective.
Curves and rounded corners throughout the design was an important ideology and link to the brand. Though not every product likes to bend – especially not on the tight radius’ that were required for the compact layout – we attempted it on all products; laminate, tiles, flexible gyprock, vinyl, and carpet. Some of the tightest circular ceiling voids to house the lights are created from upside down pot plants. The way each product was carefully finished to the adjacent product was highly considered and was a testament to the builders finishing skills.
The layout pivots off the central rounded reception desk, allowing all public spaces to be visible and monitored from a single location. With only one source of light from the street facade, it was important for the space to be as open plan as possible to draw light through the space. Highlighting ceiling curves with warm LED strip lighting, horizontal repetitious elements and layering of textured materials attribute to the warm, luxurious feel of the space.
A health facility reminiscent of a day spa, Sole Focus Podiatry is a space clients look forward to visiting, tell their friends about, and linger to sip a warm cup of tea.
If you are considering rebranding an existing health facility, reach out. We pride ourselves on creating innovative, responsive spaces you will love.