Racine Dental Group

The patient experience was at the center of all design decisions, so we started the process from the dental chair out. The patient’s journey begins at the entrance, where they are greeted by a glassy, sun-lit lobby promoting calmness and tranquility. Patients, staff, and doctors also feel a direct connection to the outdoors throughout the facility with the use of expansive glass.

A key goal of the project was to provide natural daylight to every patient in a dental chair.  This challenge was met through intentional shaping of the floor plan.  Each of the 80 “operatories” offers patients a view through floor to ceiling windows, fostering a pleasant and stress-free experience.

On the material side, the exterior is composed of brick masonry and vertically oriented wood-grain panels. The three operatory clusters are attached to a primary circulation space signified by clerestory windows and prominent wood structure.  At the entrance, the expressive glass and wood structure announces the building’s front door and covered entry. A richly articulated glue-laminated structure floats above the main entrance, lobby, and grand stair while an expansive glass wall stretches down to the lower level.  Landscaped terraces provide visual interest to administrative offices and support space, brightened by the natural daylight.