MIES - Medical Clinic

The Lounge at Cella Medical Clinic

(Via Archinect) This design reflects the hospital's specialty, “personalized cell therapy”- a new technology of transplanting skin cells enriched from adult cell therapy. Metropolitan United States, PLLC (MUS for short) approached the design of the clinic holistically, much like the way a physician would treat a patient’s body as a whole. Thus, the overall design is a fluid expression of the human cell and its connective systems. Layers of undulating curves throughout the physically engaging space suggest the systemic formation and reparation of cells. Perforations in the main floating ceiling are an additional expression of a cell’s numerous characteristics.

Wall Lighting as a Wayfinding Technique

The clinic is divided into three main areas: reception area, offices, and surgery rooms. Simultaneously, these spaces are unified by the perforated floating ceiling as well as by the use of materials. A custom-designed multi-functional lighting-shelving-shading device further unifies the interior space but also acts as a link to the exterior streetscape through the use of LED lights. This visual expression is most prominent at night and especially to pedestrians.

Check-In Counter

Identity and branding concepts were provided in conjunction with the design of the space. Items such as the clinic’s logo, typeface and main color scheme (pink and sky blue) were designed and then translated into different components of the clinic such as lighting and other building features.

Operating Room

Through various design elements, including the exterior signage and lighting, the organic pattern of the cells and the therapeutic function of the clinic are expressed on both the exterior and interior of the space.

Reflective Coatings on Corridors

MIES - The New Glass Ceiling

Herman Miller is a globally recognized designer of furniture.  The company asked Krueck and Sexton Architects, based out of Chicago, to update their flagship showcase room.  The designers merged their interest in the possibilities of glass with Herman Miller's distinctive attitude toward the design-functional, whimsical and intensely humanistic.

Defying the conventions of the showroom window, the exhibit wall is a 200-foot long series of faceted glass panels, mortised into a terrazzo floor of recycled glass and white epoxy. This dynamic and crystalline screen creates layers of space, light and reflection conveying the client's credo of flexibility and openness.

In-between the entry and the showroom, glass panels form the fronts of four conference rooms. Elegantly attached with stainless steel pins, the panels are pattern sandblasted and overlapped to create different areas of visual density. Colored lighting (shown below) is programmed to slowly change color and intensity, altering sensations of transparency and materiality, while activating the space.

In the showroom itself, a curved three-dimensional grid undulates across the display area (as shown below), responding to existing beams and ducts. Constructed of painted particleboard, the grid is lit from above with light fixtures, covered with gels of varying color and intensity. The effect is a subtle flow of space, color and light, which de-materializes the ceiling into a series of luminous waves.

Above is the axonometric detail of the ceiling installation.  Notice the spacing of the fluorescent lights is not even and the beams are far narrower than would typically be expected.  Utilization of light gauge construction makes this possible.

The final affect resembles a pond, where columnar lilies and a ceiling mimicking undulating waves help create a subterranean, underwater environment.  The final appeal is smooth, sensual and relaxing.  All together, the design is for an office space, but utilizes modern computational and constructional techniques to break away the typical barriers for what is typically expected architecturally of an office.