Doctors and dentists are going out of their way to make patients feel safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
It breaks our hearts when we witness the death toll and how many families are suffering right now. We offer our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and thank the millions of people who are making untold sacrifices to do their part to keep the virus from devastating even more lives.
The commercial design team at m+ Architecture | Interior Design can help.
“You have to approach the space from two different viewpoints — the patients’ and the clinic staff’s,” says Ellie Miri, an interior designer who works with her sister, Nadi, an architect, to achieve a holistic approach to re-imagining the physical world around us. “Today, as people cautiously get back to their former routines after the lockdown, the number one priority is for everyone to be safe.”
First, the patients’ perspective.
Imagine yourself walking into a doctor’s office. You might already be a bit anxious because of your health needs. You need an environment to soothe and calm you. Ellie’s contribution is to choose soft, warm colours and fabrics. Lighting is unobtrusive. Plants add life and vibrancy. Nothing is jarring.
Commercial Office Design with Safe Barriers During Covid-19
But as you take your seat in the waiting room, you also need to know measures have been taken to reduce the risk of infection. That’s where Nadi’s expertise comes in. She uses panels to create barriers between patients, placing them in such a way that patients don’t feel isolated or claustrophobic. Now that many daycares and schools remain closed, she knows that parents often have to bring their children to appointments. She designs play areas that are within the parents’ sightlines but which reduce noise levels for the other patients in the waiting area.
“The healing aspect is always at the core of our design,” Ellie says. “We want people to be as relaxed and calm as possible by creating a spa-like atmosphere.”
Second, the staff’s perspective.
Doctors’ and dentists’ offices are usually designed for functionality. m+ takes that a step further by incorporating design elements that allow staff to be in the same room while reducing or eliminating proximity to one another.
Covid-19 Commercial Office Design with Safe Barriers For Staff Members
Rooms that are used often are centrally located. Each room has two doors for separate entrances and exits, and to allow staff to keep their backs to one another. Hallways are extra wide so everyone can practice physical distancing.
Communal areas such as waiting areas are also re-envisioned to allow for safe physical distancing. “It makes the patients feel more safe and taken care of when they come into a room where they see unknown people,” Nadi says.
Contact North Vancouver Interior Design & Architects To Help You Create A Safe & Calming Office Design.
“In our design,” Ellie adds, “we strive to it make a positive experience for the patients and staff by implementing an effective work flow to boost staff performance and encourage collaboration.”
Contact us today by phone or email us at info@mplusdesign.ca.
Credits: Photo by Jose Losada on Unsplash
