Situated within a rapidly developing neighborhood in San Francisco’s financial district, Studio Dental’s brick and mortar location is defined by a modern aesthetic, while honoring the historic elements of the base building.
A conceptual ‘lantern’ within the dark building core communicates a volumetric sense of scale, luminescence, and transparency to serve as the framework for a series of operatories within. The lantern wall panels that light up the interior are visually expanded through strategically located smoked mirrors and glow through the glazed facade to illuminate the sidewalk beyond. By engaging the pedestrian streetfront the design aims to project openness, warmth, and serenity.
In place of a common waiting room, a park-like bench extends the length of the space. Vertical wood trellises provide separation between the bench and operatory rooms without closing off the space. Moments of material contrast are introduced between the rough shell walls, smoked mirror panels, and a central colonnade of maple monoliths, which provide storage and define the entry to each private patient room. Monitors are provided overhead for patient viewing highlighting the verticality of the space within the lantern.