Ambition was the key to creating our stunning practice, a place to meet and treat our patients. Our objective was simple: to create a warm and welcoming space where our patients, our staff, our specialists, our students, and even the postman leave feeling positive and uplifted. We carefully considered several aspects in order to create this.
Book an appointmentIt is well known that observing nature relieves stress, boosts health and promotes wellbeing. Using this as a starting point, architecture and design studio Szczepaniak Teh drew inspiration from the local Mid Sussex area’s history as an oak woodland. This is depicted beautifully in a painting entitled ‘Autumn, Weald of Kent’ by Benjamin Haughton.
As well as its striking soft umber tones and rich texture, you can almost feel the cool breeze, hear the crunch of leaves underfoot and smell the natural earthy scents. The aim was to create a space that encapsulated these sensory qualities within the comfort of a therapeutic sanctuary.
Book an appointmentEntrance
The entrance of our practice is defined by a reception desk that embraces you as soon as you enter the space, helping to create the feeling of safety. It has a bark-like appearance, constructed from the famous Keymer roofing tiles that have been made in the local area for over 200 years. The high desk means you are welcomed by a member of our friendly team at eye level rather than having to peer over the top of a computer screen.
Main lounge
The main lounge is located next to three large windows, allowing you to feel the full benefit of mood-lifting natural light. This space is teaming with life, texture, colour and organically shaped furniture, reminiscent of a dispersed forest floor.
The informal arrangement accommodates a versatile range of uses, whether you are enjoying a drink while waiting for your appointment or having an informal discussion with a member of the team. The space can also be reconfigured to hold open days and education events for the dental community.
Intimate lounge
A more intimate lounge is located at the rear of the building, offering a space for private recovery following more complex treatments provided at the practice. This space also has a private entrance and exit to the rear car park, so you can avoid having to walk back through busier spaces.
We pledged that this project should utilise natural and healthy building materials. This is in stark contrast to the existing building that was found to be riddled with harmful asbestos throughout its walls, ceilings and floor.
The new walls and ceilings use 100% pure and natural clay, which has many soothing properties. The clay helps absorb and dampen sound between spaces, removes pollution from the air, maintains luminance and minimises glare.
A light-coloured end grain timber flooring exposes the rings of the tree trunk, giving you a greater connection to the material’s origin and history. Sourced from a sustainable, managed forest, the timber floor is a certified FSC product and is finished with natural oil-containing probiotics which gives the floor self-cleaning properties.
Fundamental to the layout is a circulation loop that allows a seamless flow around the practice. The corridors borrow natural light and views through the practice and you are always connected to a larger open area.
The connecting spaces have generous proportions to encourage conversation with the clinical team as you move through the practice, helping you feel at ease.
In our attempt to create a positive and calming environment we have created something very special and that will transform how you experience a visit to the dentist.
Book an appointment
How can we help? Call us on 01444 523 143 or send us an email using the form below and we’ll get right back to you…
