Green Mile Dental Clinic

Iran

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Green Mile Dental Clinic

Iran

Firm

NIVA Architecture Studio

Type

Government + Health › Medical Facility

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2025

SIZE

0 sqft - 1000 sqft

BUDGET

$10K - 50K

A neglected balcony serves as the starting point of a linear green path, redefining circulation and patient experience in a former residential unit converted into a healthcare clinic.
The project began with a familiar challenge in Iranian healthcare use architecture: a residential building converted to healthcare use without spatial reconsideration. Irregular column placement, an elongated floor plan, and limited daylight in central areas reduced both functional clarity and the quality of user experience. The client requested a clinic that would optimize operational efficiency while providing a less stressful environment for patients, despite the constraints of the existing structure. In particular, the client emphasized the need for a calm and quiet environment, as dental equipment is inherently associated with high levels of acoustic disturbance.
The design concept centers on the “Green Path,” a linear axis originating from a previously unused balcony. Once a storage area for mechanical equipment, the balcony was transformed into the starting point of a spatial spine that extends through the waiting area. This axis organizes circulation, establishes a clear hierarchy, and introduces greenery into the interior. Subtle green tones in materials and finishes reinforce a calming atmosphere, drawing on environmental psychology research that associates green with reduced anxiety in healthcare settings.
Spatial zoning was crucial in addressing functional and hygienic requirements. Treatment and service areas are clearly separated from reception and waiting spaces, enhancing workflow and maintaining hygiene standards. Columns that previously created unused corners were transformed into concealed acoustic enclosures for noisy dental equipment such as compressors and suction systems. As part of this intervention, internal access was intentionally sealed, and hidden doors were integrated along the balcony walls, maintaining spatial continuity while accommodating both functional requirements and acoustic control. Opposite these enclosures, a former residual space was redefined through the same design approach and transformed into a utility room, completing the clinic’s support functions without disrupting spatial flow or patient experience.
To address limited natural light in the elongated plan, transparent doors and light slots were introduced in intermediate partitions, allowing daylight to reach interior spaces. Linear openings beneath the doctor’s private room illuminate corridors while preserving visual privacy, a solution partly driven by the presence of ducted split HVAC systems in the corridor ceiling.
The waiting area was designed as an open and flexible environment. Floating tables were strategically chosen to maximize circulation and maintain a sense of spaciousness in the compact area, while integrated electrical outlets on the tables support contemporary patient needs. The integration of a smart system further enhances operational control and security, complementing the clinic’s functional and spatial improvements, and ensuring patient convenience throughout the space. Overall, the project demonstrates how thoughtful spatial interventions, material choices, and circulation strategies can transform a constrained existing building into a user-friendly and operationally efficient healthcare space.