Samantha Hamilton-Stent, Reigate Acupuncture

The brief:

The client was very clear that her new clinic needed to be very luxurious, with surroundings that ‘lifted the heart beyond the sum of its parts’. As a centre of excellence for acupuncture, herbal medicine and natural health, the premises also needed to balance hygiene with a relaxing, calming atmosphere. There was also a specific request for an integrated sound system that would pipe music throughout the clinic, including into the revamped cloakroom.

Our approach:

Our initial site survey took us to an uninspiring commercial building close to Reigate train station. Totally unfit for purpose – especially for a healthcare practice focussing on wellbeing – our first job was to reimagine the layout and plan in new partition walls to yield four treatment rooms, a private office/consultation space, a reception, a cloakroom, a storage area and a staff kitchenette.

The initial inspection also revealed a poor state of repair for many of the services, so provision was made to remove and replace elements including new ceilings, new lighting and new air conditioning units – the latter featuring medical grade, 5-stage HEPA air filtration and purification units.

Phase two of our approach saw the team devise an interior scheme that would sooth and reassure patients in equal measure. Complete redecoration was required, as was a choice of materials that were easy to clean and had excellent soundproofing qualities for the utmost clinic privacy.

Scandi stands out

Our client felt an immediate affinity with nature-inspired Scandinavian designs, so the MPL design team decided to ground the interior using wood. As well as timber plank-style Karndean flooring, timber slating became this project’s design hallmark. It is most prominent in the reception area, where batons were affixed to a feature wall, with glimpses of further slating to the rear.

We continued the Scandi slat theme in the new consultation rooms, with each space sporting a timber-slat deco panel. New complementary doors, architraves and skirting boards were also supplied and fitted by MPL, and time was spent designing and making bespoke radiator covers.

A sense of arrival

While not a huge space, the client was keen for the reception area to set the right tone. MPL commissioned a bespoke reception counter and installed feature pendant lights overhead that cast a soft glow. Clinic branding using acrylic letters was applied to the timber slat feature wall to reinforce the clinic’s identity.

Electrical aspects

Our first and second fix work incorporated the client’s request for an integrated sound system throughout the clinic, using a system of flush-fit ceiling speakers. We also specified and installed a CCTV network covering all areas, and installed floor sockets and power boxes under each therapy table for a safe, uncluttered floor space.

Additional elements

As the clinic occupies a ground floor location and the nature of the business demands a high level of privacy, MPL supplied and fitted blinds to all windows. We also designed, supplied and fitted vinyl signage to a public-facing window.