Dr Howard Holmes is an accomplished Western Australian orthodontist and proud owner of two successful orthodontic practices. In 1993, he completed his dental training at the University of Western Australia and was dux of his graduating year.
After four years in general dental practice, Dr Holmes then went back to complete a Masters degree in Orthodontics in 2000 and opened his first specialist orthodontic practice in Cannington in 2001. Howard’s second practice, in the famous Margaret River wine and surf region in WA’s South West was redesigned and fitout by Medifit Design & Construct in 2017 and featured in this magazine in a previous issue.
After a seamless practice upgrade experience in Margaret River, Howard returned to Medifit Design & Construct to update his Cannington practice. The practice, built in 2001 was beginning to show its age and Howard was keen to implement the latest learnings on staff and patient flows, ergonomics and modern colour and textures to improve the aesthetics and productivity of the practice. Medifit’s design team seized the chance to revitalise the old practice.
Sam Koranis from Medifit adds: “Howard is a perfect client for Medifit. Someone with a vision for what he wants and the ability to articulate it, but also the courage to trust the Medifit design process and it’s outcomes. In our experience, this combination produces excellent practice results”
The existing practice was functional, but after 16 years it was starting to feel tired and some of the design decisions, cutting edge in 2001 were showing their vintage. Dark granite counter tops and deep blue laminates throughout tended to close in the space. The Medifit designers took the opportunity to bring the practice up to date with a light, bright contemporary fitout.
Dr Holmes also wanted to have some continuity between the Margaret River and Carousel practices and this was achieved with a shared colour palette and textures. Patient flows are crucial to the productivity of a practice and the space and typical treatment requirements were carefully analysed to arrive at a floor plan concept that delivered the optimum experience for patients and staff.
Central to the practice is a spacious group treatment area which enables Dr Holmes and his staff to efficiently treat orthodontic patients for adjustments and checks. A circular bulkhead has been adorned with a stunning cloudscape giving patients a soothing visual to focus on whilst receiving treatment. The areas are clearly delineated with motifs in the floor covering and frosted glazing walls, giving patients subtle direction and evoking a feeling of calm professionalism. Surfaces are bright, giving the practice an open, spacious feel and helping to bounce light around the interior. Private treatment rooms adjacent to the main space can be used for more intensive procedures.
The deep blue from the practice branding has been retained in the reception floor covering and used sparingly on the wall behind reception to provide contrast. The cramped, circular reception counter is gone, replace by a bold angular counter featuring a seamless white surface and incorporating a backlit display to showcase a select group of dental products. Light timber tones are used in the joinery and corridor wall paneling to bring a sense of nature and warmth whilst the walls and floors throughout the treatment areas are a contemporary warm grey.
The overall ambience is modern, yet warm and inviting – ideal for a successful state of the art orthodontic practice As an operating practice, it was important to keep the to a minimum and the fitout was completed in just over two weeks. The transformation from dull and old to bright and new has been a resounding success with positive reviews from staff and patients.
Sam Koranis “It was an honour to be given the opportunity to work with Howard again. We share a mutual respect for well designed spaces and it has been a privilege to be a part of Howards journey. The team at Medifit wishes him well in his new practice and looks forward to being of assistance in the future.”
