Ray Lind of Award-winning Martin Hughes Design brings Harmonious Elements to New Zealand’s First IntraLase Clinic
Imagine walking into a surgical clinic and unexpectedly feeling like you’ve just entered a spa.
Ray Lind of Martin Hughes Design explained for Eye Institute’s new IntraLase LASIK surgical clinic it set out to combine new construction and complementary renovations to create a ‘clinic within a clinic’ that not only differentiated itself visually, but also – and more importantly – offered a tranquil and pleasing environment to its clients. “Looking at the finished product, I would have to say we achieved our brief – one’s stress level certainly drops upon entering the space,” said Lind.
Eye Institute and Martin Hughes Design collaborated on the new clinic in mid 2005. At that time, Eye Institute anticipated that its planned 2006 introduction of the latest LASIK surgery in New Zealand, the safer blade-free IntraLase Custom LASIK, would increase demand, as indeed it has. The new Intralase laser itself also required more space.
Candidates for the IntraLase procedure want to participate more freely in sports and life or be rid of their glasses/contacts for cosmetic reasons. Eye Institute’s Dr Bruce Hadden explained that these people were the reason for creating a “clinic within a clinic” as they are a different subset of patients. “They are having a ‘lifestyle procedure’,” he said “So we’ve de-emphasised the clinical look and created a space that is more in tune with a spa environment, where you are treated individually to enhance your lifestyle and appearance.”
Creating the eye laser suite involved renovating the entire second level of Eye Institute’s well-recognised building on Remuera Road in Auckland. When clients arrive on the floor they enter the new clinic which opens into a waiting room on the left, with examination, surgery, and relaxing rooms on the right. Light timbers, bamboos and vinyl are used for wall panelling and furniture throughout the clinic, bucking the current trend to use dark veneers. All rooms are intimate, feature neutral colours and a relaxing, co-ordinated ambience. The layout and décor in each room reflects its purpose.
Hidden behind the façade of a relaxing environment, the laser suite is equipped with the latest in air control, clean room, temperature and humidity-controlled systems. A HEPA air filtration system removes at least 99.97% of all airborne particles.
Designer Lind explained, “The overall harmony of the design rests in the strength and balance of the materials we used. We put together a collection of contrasting textures, weaves, and textiles that shared a subtle Pacific influence to carry a calm, relaxing feeling throughout the clinic.”
Of particular interest are the surgery and relaxing rooms. The surgery room contains the highest level of eye laser technology on offer, laid out cleanly and efficiently so that the focus is always on the treatment under way. The room also features a one-way floor-to-ceiling glass window that enables a client’s family members to view the procedure.
The relaxing room which offers clients comfortable recliners in which to recuperate after surgery looks over suburban treetops. A large plasma screen presents images for relaxing, and can also serve an educational purpose by providing live feeds from the operating microscope in the surgery room. Dual-purposed, this room can also be used for smaller professional educational seminars.
“Following through on the ‘relaxed’ angle,” Lind added, “new products from the 3Form acrylic and glass ranges were used as door inserts and table tops, all to emphasise the mystery and intrigue about what happens beyond each door.” Bruce Edman, an American-born resident of New Zealand, was commissioned to produce the artwork that gives the clinic the “finishing touch”.
Dr Hadden is pleased with the result. He said, “We wanted people to leave the clinic with the feeling that they have been cared for individually, not herded through a production line. The rooms feel spacious, modern, and comfortable, with each room accommodating one client at a time. The nurses are readily at hand. The clinic works beautifully, and is proving to be successful for both clients and staff.”
About Martin Hughes Design
Martin Hughes Design is an award-winning company, dedicated to producing design solutions that increase and enhance the environment and business of their clients. Specializing in projects in New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific and Pacific Rim, Martin Hughes has a particular expertise and understanding of the light, textures and other natural influences that are unique to the Pacific.
In business for 30 years, the multi-talented team at Martin Hughes has created a reputation of quality and innovation for the company. With expertise in all areas of interiors and architecture, Martin Hughes has provided design solutions for corporate, retail, product and exhibition, commercial, residential, hospitality, healthcare, and marine settings.
For further information view http://www.martinhughesdesign.com
New Zealand, Auckland – published 6 November, 2006
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