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

BDCS - Parapet

Parapet Atop King's College Chapel in Cambridge, England

A parapet is a low wall projecting from the edge of a platform, terrace, or roof. Where extending above a roof, it may simply be the portion of an exterior wall that continues above the line of the roof surface, or may be a continuation of a vertical feature beneath the roof such as a fire wall or party wall. Historically, parapets were originally used to defend buildings from military attack, but today they are primarily used to prevent the spread of fires. They are also used to aesthetic effect, as in Mission style homes where rounded parapets are often used as decorative features.


The word comes ultimately from the Italian parapetto (parare = to cover/defend and petto =breast). The German term Brustwehr has the same significance. All parapets may be plain embattled, perforated or panelled, which are not mutually exclusive terms:

• Plain parapets are upward extensions of the wall, sometimes with a coping at the top and corbel below.
• Embattled parapets may be panelled, but are pierced, if not purely as stylistic device, for the discharge of defensive projectiles.
• Perforated parapets are pierced in various designs such as circles, trefoils, quatrefoils.
• Panelled parapets are ornamented by a series of panels, either oblong or square, and more or less enriched, but not perforated.
• These are common in the Decorated and Perpendicular periods.

Many firewalls are required to have a parapet, a portion of the wall extending above the roof. The parapet is required to be as fire resistant as the lower wall. It is required to extend at least 30" above the roof. If the roof slopes at a rate of 2 in 12 or greater (16.7-percent slope), the parapet shall extend to the same width as any portion of the floor within a fire separation distance where protection of wall openings is required, but in no case shall the height be less than 30 inches (762 mm).[2] Exterior walls that require to be fire protected are often required to have a parapet, but there are exceptions. *note* If the roofing material is combustible, it must stop 18" minimum from the top of the wall.

A Fortified Parapet at Scotstarvit Tower in Scotland