Geoffrey Hodgdon

Pediatric dental office designed to be a playground for all ages

Falls Church practice caters to three different age groups - infant to five, six to eleven, and teenagers - the design needed to make each group, as well as their parents, feel secure

By Healthcare Facilities Today


When Dr. Girish Banaji was designing his new pediatric dental office in Falls Church, Virginia. he didn’t want his new office to look childish or immature, according to an article on the Contract magazine website.

“I wanted it to be a space for parents and children as they grow,” he said in the article. “Not just for three-year-olds, but for three-year-olds who will become fifteen-year-olds.” 

FORMA Design, Inc. principal Andreas Charalambous set out to create a playground for all ages. 

“The space needs to make you feel good and address any stress by providing you with clues you’re in good hands,” Charalambous said in the article. 

Since the practice caters to three age groups — infant to five, six to eleven, and teenagers — the design needed to make each group, as well as their parents, feel secure, the article said, The architect’s strategy for easing anxiety was to create a space kids would love.

Charalambous designed a central sign-in and waiting area that acts as a hub for the 7,500-square-foot space. The entrance has three blue arcs, or “cocoons,” defining three recreational areas: a cafe and video game room, an area with lounge seating, and a glassed-in, multipurpose game room. 

Read the article and view the images.

 

 

 



December 13, 2013


Topic Area: Construction and Design


Recent Posts

From Vacant to Vital: Adaptive Reuse of Retail Spaces

Adaptive reuse of big-box retail spaces is an increasingly popular way to expand access to healthcare in urban and suburban settings.


Community Health Network Falls Victim to Data Breach

The Indiana-based network has no evidence that any personal information has been or will be misused as a direct result of this incident.


Hudson Regional Health Launches 4-Hospital System

The launch comes after CarePoint’s bankruptcy plan was confirmed and went “effective.”


Must Know Recalls of 2025

For the safety of our readers, Healthcare Facilities Today has closely followed all recall notices related to the industry.


Sustainability as a Baseline in Healthcare Facilities

Hospitals can balance costs, build resilience and learn from global models for sustainable design to further their green goals.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.