Located in Brasilia’s Baabda district, a dental clinic takes on the look and feel of a hotel lobby, with an elegant interior designed by architect Maroun Jabbour to convey a pleasant ambience and provide patients with comfort and relaxation.
Organic materials and a fresh approach
A 320-square-meter bubble of tranquility where natural elements predominate with light wood, metal and marble. To reinforce the impression of nature, interior designer Maroun Jabbour used black, greige and taupe, earthy colors that blend harmoniously, punctuated by colorful notes that brighten and energize the space. Numerous touches of green were added, including plants arranged throughout in pretty pots, a choice made to break with the stereotype of medical institutions, which generally revolve around white, blue and green, creating a sinister and monotonous atmosphere.
The aim is to break down the stiffness and sweep away the moments of anxiety felt during medical care or surgery, for children and adults alike. “The owner of the clinic trusted me completely. Initially, I just presented him with the plan with a color palette of pale pink, green, marble gray and wood. The dentist didn’t see the space again until six months later, when the project was finalized.”
Interior architect Maroun Jabbour.
Photo © Roger Ajjour
Photo © Cédric Ghoussoub
Photo © Cédric Ghoussoub
Photo © Cédric Ghoussoub
Clarity and tranquility
Originally a residential apartment, the space was transformed into a large reception room, four large patient rooms, a laboratory, an office and a kitchen with adjacent dining room. To achieve this, walls were removed in order to combine rooms and optimize volume. The most striking feature of this project is the replacement of doors with large glass panels, giving the impression that all the practice’s spaces communicate with each other through a play of transparency. A way to open up and modernize the clinic, combining a friendly, communicative spirit with innovative technology and design. “I felt it was important to create these panels so that, once again, patients wouldn’t feel oppressed or anxious. Yet this is the case when you find yourself between four walls, and it is also a way of being able to communicate with children through the glass to reassure them and at the same time comfort parents, avoiding them being in the same room.”
Photo © Cédric Ghoussoub
Photo © Cédric Ghoussoub
Photo © Cédric Ghoussoub
Photo © Cédric Ghoussoub
Invitation to relax
The originality of the project lies in the choice of furniture, most of which was designed by Maroun Jabbour. All the elements feature spirals and grooves “to echo the teeth.” For example, the solid wood desk in the entrance area, which weighs 1 tonne and 700 grams, was painted white and its shapes are all round, with pallets juxtaposed against each other to refer to teeth. “We had to install it right here, panel by panel”, explains the architect. In the same spirit, the pale pink and off-white side tables are topped with Lava Stone volcanic stone tops. Even the handles are coordinated with the clinic’s emblem.
With a view to the ceiling, high wooden panels and a large bookcase with open elements, designed by the architect, evoke the notion of transparency. Trinkets and books are placed on top to create a welcoming atmosphere.
On the floor, carpets scattered here and there, with interlocking circles and curves, recall the design of teeth. At the entrance, two large sofas, one white and one green, have been placed to encourage interaction between patients.
Photo © Cédric Ghoussoub
Photo © Cédric Ghoussoub
Photo © Cédric Ghoussoub
Photo © Cédric Ghoussoub
Photo © Cédric Ghoussoub
Colorful and joyful atmosphere
In keeping with the spirit of cheerfulness and good humor, art is on display in each room, with abstract-style paintings measuring 180 cm × 120 cm. “It is the work of a Mexican artist I discovered, and with the play of transparency everyone can enjoy it.”
On the bathroom side, a coral note has been chosen for the washbasin plinth, again with strata, and a pretty round 3D mirror to break up the monotony and add vivacity. In the office, a red surface was chosen for the side table, set against solid black wood for a lively touch. The firm’s emblem was applied in an original way to a number of supports, adding a more personal dimension to the space.