This project epitomizes the exercise of “making something extraordinarily unique out of something overwhelmingly ordinary”.  The clients of this fit-up are a husband-and-wife team that travel the world, picking up design, food and art throughout the places they travel, and they wanted a practice that was a reflection of how they see the world.  As much as the project was about the formal practicalities of running a dental clinic, it was intertwined with making the experience of going to the dentist absolutely unforgettable.

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The existing space had been a hardware store in the community for decades and located on one of the busiest streets in Valley City.  The interior was stripped, gutted and the concrete floor jackhammered to accommodate the plumbing, electrical and gas layouts.  The exterior had additional openings cut out in order to harvest daylight and allow the landscaping to be a backdrop for the interior.  The stark and unassuming exterior sparks curiosity from a distance, which leads to surprise in amazement upon entering.  Local artisans were hired to fabricate steel elements and reclaimed wood was locally sourced to enhance the project's “tactility” and evoke the feeling of being high-end, yet approachable and inviting.  Off the shelf tactics were employed as well - 2x10 lumber was planed down, squared up and stained for all of the window jambs as well as off the shelf brass fittings to give an “old-world” feel for the Doctor’s Lounge. 

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Since its opening, the clients have been surprised by the amount of people that stop by to see the space, sit down and enjoy their morning coffee or even use the space for wedding photography. This is not your typical dental experience – You won’t find sterile interiors and bright, white lights.  Instead, you’ll be pleasantly calmed by the experience of Concept Dental.