Dental gloss: Silvosa París Arquitectura’s minty fresh design for a Spanish clinic

Silvosa París has used architecture to create a fresh brand identity for a new dental clinic in Betanzos, a village in north-west Spain – which also happens to be the birthplace of architect David Silvosa, and where he met his practice partner Patricia París.

Combining modernism with minimalism, the architects created a clean and sculptural design which has a compelling cinematic quality, while maintaining its clear function as a dentist’s surgery. The architects rebuilt the facade and birthed a practical plan for the surgery, prioritising natural light, using functional materials and integrating elements of identity within the architecture.

The dental practice Losada Serrano entrusted the architects to fit three dental ‘cabinets’ into the space along with a waiting room and meeting room, as well as developing the visual identity of the surgery. Silvosa París worked with relative autonomy on the designs: ‘We enjoyed having the freedom, yet as a counterpart we had the maximum responsibility to fulfil their expectations,’ says Silvosa.

Silvosa wanted the architecture to differentiate the surgery from other dental franchises and to create a domestic experience for visitors. ‘We wanted to create a personal vision – a brand – based on the two partners and to transmit, through space and image, its values and create a coherent, consistent and memorable experience,’ he says.

Rebuilding the facade on the ground floor of the existing building was a key part of the design: ‘We didn't want to open up the facade with windows to the south because it could generate a greenhouse effect for the interior, but we did want to create a storefront to the main street, so people would recognise the clinic,’ explains Silvosa.

Ribbed glass encases the dentist’s rooms at the heart of the plan, allowing natural light in while maintaining privacy. A corridor circles the surgery, creating a natural flow for visitors. Echoing the ribs of the glass, the ceiling was constructed of corrugated sheet steel which was stylistic and practical: ‘We integrated air conditioning, lighting and acoustic[s] into one, yet you only see an uninterrupted area with ripples. It was a very low-tech and low-budget solution with high-benefits.’

INFORMATION

For more information, visit the Silvosa París Arquitectura website