Denthology+

Entering the new private dental clinic in Antwerp, Belgium, one senses an instant change in pace when the cityscape is replaced by a calming acoustic. As natural light filters through from the outside and highlights the subtle colors and rich textures of the carefully selected materials, the space feels warm and welcoming. Playing on the sensations and feelings that the selected materials evoke in us, the architecture is a comforting framework around its functions.

As our fast paced and modern lives demand ever more of our attention, so too does the need for calm, considerate moments of self-care – reflection becomes key. When working thoughtfully with architecture, we create the opportunity to redefine and reshape human perception and in turn work to create a space of urban refuge. At the core of redefining the dental experience is a sensibility, which identifies and acknowledges the role in which tactility, materiality, and light play in doing so – the interplay between these elements awakens the feelings central to how we experience space.

Making virtue of the cave-like features in the low concrete basement to create a grounded atmosphere, the architecture now embraces and protects those within. Heavy, carved out spaces create a dynamic and distinct, luxury feeling, while material mass and solidity work as a vehicle to construct a patient experience that is rich in warmth, serenity, and calmness.

When creating a landscape of volumes and in-between spaces, it feels as if the rooms are carved from a block of concrete. Working with its heaviness, we ended up with a solid and calm atmosphere, providing a comfortable setting unusual for dental clinics. Defining spaces in architecture and design should not merely be considered in terms of the drawn lines, but also in terms of the intervals and moments between them.

On top of this heavy base, light wooden cubes are placed, creating rooms both in-between and inside of them on the first floor – creating flow and a natural circulation, while framing the crucial functions within the clinic.

Covering the floors and walls with a tactile concrete surface and letting in natural light through the transparent curtains, the clinic does not feel institutional and uniform. Instead, we transform the usual hospital-like feeling and replace it with a soothing wellness vibe.

The interrelationships between materials are interesting as well, as they are, most often, reflections of our own perception of their respective personalities and haptic properties – the hostility of sharp objects and materials, the warmth and softness of wood and the intimate apparel of textile. Respecting the characteristics of materials means carefully considering material composition and the intimate contact they have with one another. Hence, The textures in the space reveal the quality of its material composition, absorbed by our vision as well as our touch.

Considering the notion of form and non-form; spaces are living voids defined by additions to the space and deductions from the space – the unseen matter and shapeless absence surrounding defined objects.
So, when understanding the impact and significance of negative space and balancing combinations of forms, we determine how we interact and feel in the given space. Form simply doesn’t exist without its counterparts as objects correlate and define spaces between them.

By placing carefully selected objects in between the different rooms and sections of the space, we create small unhurried moments. Pauses. This way, the architecture as well as the interior encourages the visitor to slow down and unwind – providing room for self-care on equal footing with a visit to your favorite spa.