Children's clinic in the heart of Tel-Aviv, Doctor's Building
Two doctors own a children's clinic in a building dedicated to doctor's clinics in the heart of Tel Aviv, Israel. The two doctors wanted me to create for them an atmosphere that will be pleasant and inviting for their young patients, aged 0 to 18, and for their accompanying parents.
We knew from the beginning that we were not looking to create a childish look – the respect towards children and adults alike influenced the choice of colors, art and furniture choices that filled the space.
I started by repartitioning the space. The reception area was lacking in natural light, so I designed two semi-circle windows to allow for light to enter from the adjacent rooms. This created both the lighting and a touch of humor in the façade. These two windows were then mirrored in yellow plexiglass on the ceiling to create a sense of reflection. Plexiglass allowed for many of the finishing touches in the new clinic – the variety of available colors and the transparency that allows for layering – were a key element in the design. I also used semi-circles of plexiglass for the examination beds – to keep the walls clean while creating a visual distraction for the young patients. Each semi-circle was illustrated with animal drawings done on sight by the artist Anna Mirkin, who is also responsible for the scenery painting that involves animals on the reception room wall, with the intent of creating a different kind of experience for the waiting patients and their parents.
The Kids Clinic in Tel Aviv reflects the holistic vision of it’s two founders – Dr. Segev-Dumai & Dr. Greenfeld. The Kids Clinic is a place where, during a checkup, parents can have an open discussion about anything that impacts the child, his parents, and even the grandparents are invited to join the conversation. The design is an attempt to respect the multigenerational elements that make families healthy. The vision, as always, was both the opportunity and the challenge: creating an atmosphere that invites a wide array of patients.
One must keep in mind that this is not an ordinary office or commercial space – people come here when they’re in pain, feeling ill many times after a sleepless night. The design attempts to make room for impatient, restless toddlers waiting to be called in as well as pregnant women who are here for prenatal care. A young mother that had trouble breastfeeding and a hungry baby waiting to see the lactation consultant. All these sensitive elements come to play when you design for multiple stakeholders: attention span, color schemes, how to enable natural lighting in every space, and most of all the patients comfort without ignoring the doctors that spend so many hours in the clinic, making it their second home.
It took three months of planning, tearing down, making choices, placing orders and drinking way too many cups of coffee – together. Now, when they have settled in their renewed, illuminated, full of color, adjusted to everyone’s needs – looking at the pictures I have to admit this is one of the projects that touched me more deeply than anything I’ve done in recent years. And I know exactly why: the clients’ trust – Trust is everything; the open dialogue – knowing when to stand their ground and when to relent to my assertion.
