5 Spaces That Prove Clinics Don’t Have to Look Clinical

Medical procedures and aesthetic treatments aren’t always fun—in fact, they can be downright uncomfortable. That’s where design comes into play. When done well, a treatment facility’s colours and materials can make patients feel easy-breezy rather than quesy. Take a look at these spaces from the WL archives to see what we mean.

Formula Fig: An intimate, fig-inspired facial bar

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step inside a fig? At this high-tech facial bar in Vancouver, you can do just that. Susan Scott, co-founder of Scott and Scott Architects, coated almost every bit of this 400-square-foot space in green—except for the bathroom. Washed in a pink-tinged light, it’s a sweet nod to the inside of the fruit. “It was important to do that in a subtle way,” says the designer. See more.

Swish: A cool and calming dental clinic

Knowing that a trip to the dentist can be a major source of anxiety and fear for some patients, designer Sarah Ward made sure that every decision she made took the patient’s feelings into account. “We did research into the science behind the design, the psychological benefits—certain color tones make you feel calmer,” she explains.

While soft pastels, creamy whites and riff-cut white oak accents make this Calgary dental clinic feel light and airy, elements of biophilic design keep it from feeling sterile. See more.

Studio Sashiko: A chic cosmetic tattoo parlour

Specializing in microblading, scar camouflage and other kinds of restorative and decorative tattooing, patrons of this L.A.-based studio spend a lot of time staring at the ceiling. So when it came to design, the team at Studio Roslyn started by looking up.

The cloud-like art installation—made up of dried blue baby’s breath and other whimsical florals—brings the ceiling plane down. Meanwhile, wood cabinets, thoughtfully placed boulder formations and a stained green concrete floor help to infuse even more nature into the space. See more.

Sucré: A pretty-in-pink body sugaring boutique

Alykhan Velji was asked to make this Calgary-based sugaring boutique feminine, modern and glamourous—and he succeeded. A palette of pinks, lilacs and peaches; herringbone flooring; gold light fixtures; and unique wallpapers create a sweet, elegant look. “We really thought of every detail to ensure this space doesn’t feel like a commercial aesthetics bar,” says the designer. See more.

Sabi Mind: A serene psychedelic-assisted therapy clinic

The design of a treatment space needs to be function-forward—but what exactly does that mean for a psychedelic-assisted therapy clinic? For designer Mikaela Blain, that requires a comforting and welcoming environment that promotes mindfulness and healing. “We wanted it to feel almost residential,” she says. “There’s a softness to the space to combat that unease or insecurity you may feel. We did that by using as many natural and familiar textures as possible.” See more.