Orthodontics Practice, Liverpool:

The orthodontic practice for Dr. Hemant K Patel in Liverpool started operating this month. It is a large practice finished to a very high standard. The client and ourselves are proud of what we have achieved in this surgery that we believe to be of some distinction. This could only have been accomplished with an enthusiastic client and a contractor, Cordery Build, dedicated to satisfying the precise detailing incoporated into the fit-out.

We include in our portfolio some illustrations and a letter from Louise Sinclair-Jones the practice Marketing and Development Manager:

Dear Issy,

On behalf of all of our team, Ruth and I wanted to say thank you so much for the amazing, fantastic, beyond-our-wildest-dreams practice you have created for us! We were so pleased to have you working with us and felt a real sense of anticipation all along the way, from that first meeting so many months ago, to our first look at your plans and throughout the fit-out. You certainly didn’t let us down. Hemant is away on holiday just now, but we can’t wait for him to return and see your handiwork. We know he will be absolutely bowled over by it!

We’ll be in touch with the details of our official opening... Hope you’ll be able to come along.

Kindest regards,

Louise .

Woodlands Orthodontics, The Smile Specialists 106 Woodlands, North Harrow, Middlesex:

This was an existing orthodontic practice taken over by Dr. Fiona Millen. The small practice was in need of a refurbishment and we were asked to produce a design with a wow factor! The client believes that we have achieved her ambition. There are two surgeries, waiting areas for national health and private patients and the normal ancillary accommodation. The reception area was opened up with the removal of some structural walls. The use of restrained colours are complimented with artworks.

The Orthodontic Clinic, 9 Golden Square, Aberdeen, Scotland:

The surgery is housed in a semi-basement of a recently re-furbished office building in a prestigious part of Aberdeen. The client had ambitions for us to produce a high quality facility to provide a facility for both national health and private accommodation. The fully air conditioned space is finished to a very high standard with an open plan surgery and waiting area surmounted with a spectacular reflective ceiling to compensate for the low ceiling. The units to both the open plan surgery and the private surgery are purpose designed by us.

The Orthodontic Centre, Cardiff, Wales :

When I was interviewed by Dr Viren Patel in 2001 for the potential post as architect for the redesign of his existing surgery in Cathedral Road Cardiff I was struck by his enthusiasm and ambition to creating the best surgery in the U.K. There was an immediate chemistry between us and this created the relationship for a potentially exciting design. However, the alterations to the Victorian house involved substantial structural work and was abandoned as a result of cost.

We were appointed in 2003 for the project at Cardiff Gate Business Park.

The opportunity was now to design a surgery within the shell of a newly constructed building. The challenge was stimulating. A design from scratch, on a relatively clean canvas. Good design can flourish when client and architect are in harmony. This was certainly the case. On a functional level we had the advantage of the selected builder and my having had previous experience of working together on several orthodontic surgeries. Viren Patel’s relationship with his staff illustrates the value he puts on their contribution to the practice and they were consulted at each stage of the design development.

We were presented with a detailed accommodation schedule. As the building is on two levels it was decided to duplicate the reception and waiting areas. Open plan surgeries are situated at both levels as are two private surgeries. The sterilization area on the ground floor is connected to the first floor by a hoist.

Hygiene standards to both patient and staff areas were to be treated as a high priority. Sensor controls are provided to all basins, wcs and hand-driers. Rubber floors and skirtings, Barrisol semi-gloss stretch ceilings with recessed lighting and washable paint finishes are used to wall surfaces. The worktops and basin design were specifically designed for this project. The glass worktops and one-piece glass basins cantilever from the storage cabinets which rise from floor to ceiling. The glass units were manufactured in Glasgow The storage units, together with all the joinery units, including the main reception counter in the practice were made in the contractors own shop-fitting workshops.

The reception and waiting areas are designed as spaces for both comfort and interest. The aquarium to the ground floor reception is positioned on the axis route to the main surgery. Artwork and the frameless glass sandwich construction for the pictures are designed as a cohesive element within the overall design.

The overhead chair lighting in the surgeries are flush mounted and are remotely controlled Alger lights from America. These fittings were chosen by Viren Patel as an alternative to the conventional Anglepoise lighting in order to retain minimalist purity of the spaces.

Toughened acid etched glass screens separate the private surgeries from the route through to the open plan surgeries. The dental chairs and mobile units chosen by Viren Patel are in harmony with the surgery interiors.

The staff room, incorporating comfortable seating, kitchenette, storage and a toilet facility was designed after consultation with staff. All the loose furniture, including selection of the upholstery fabrics and blinds were part of our design brief.

If the design is regarded as a success, full recognition must be given to the contribution of Viren Patel whose encouragement and enthusiasm was contagious and to the professional performance of the contractor.

For my part, the project has been enjoyable, a rewarding experience and memorable.

From client, Dr V Patel:

Back in 1995, I had a vision to create the best orthodontic practice that was possible. What you see today is the culmination of a 9 year journey. It really began in March 2001 when I was able to buy' out my partner and so was in a position to have total control on how The Orthodontic Practice which had existed at 187 Cathedral Road since 1957 could be transformed from a practice that was situated in terraced Victorian houses into that which you see before you.

There were two aims in my vision.

First, it had to be a place that was able to physically complement the clinical skills that my team could deliver.

Second, I wanted jaw dropping, award winning architecture from the best in the business inspired by my vision to have the best environment for patients to be treated in and also my team to work in, crafted by human ingenuity and commitment. Somewhere to remind us of the talent and potential of our fellow human beings.

Overall Team of the Year:

Winner: The Orthodontic Centre, Cardiff. This practice was chosen by the judges because of the overwhelming team ethos that came through in its entries for categories such as Receptionist of the Year, Dentist of the year and Practice Environment. The Probe April 2006.

The Scottish Centre for Excellence in Dentistry - Glasgow, Scotland:

Dr. Arshad Ali met with Issy Spektor some three years ago to discuss a project in Glasgow. His practice had out-grown their current premises and his ambition was to create a world class facility. It is the first dental clinic of such a scale and complexity undertaken by our practice. The professional and construction team, in conjunction with the numerous suppliers and installers all needed to harmonize in order to integrate the multitude and variety of elements of such a sophisticated installation. Dr. Ali insisted on the team achieving a very high standard of design detail consistent with the exceptional standard of service offered by his professional team.

To read the full pdf from Dr. Arshad Ali, click on the image below:

(PDF file: requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available here.)