Hanham Dental, Bristol

The brief:

Hanham Dental approached MPL as it wanted to overhaul its Bristol practice. As a healthcare provider that trades on improving aesthetics, wellbeing and hygiene, it wanted the interior to reflect its core values. As well as a new sense of freshness and contemporary styling, the practice owner wanted to improve how he displayed his collection of Star Wars Lego models – one of his trademark traits.

Our approach:

Our work started with a complete floor, power, data, fixtures, fittings and furniture strip out across both floors. A degree of remodelling was required to move the practice manager’s office to the first floor and free space on the ground floor.

This was followed by electrical repositioning to facilitate the new position of the reception counter, an illuminated wall logo, a wall-mounted TV screen and an illuminated display cabinet.

New flooring – a mix of Karndean vinyl plank flooring laid in a herringbone style and carpet – followed, complemented by the creation of bespoke storage to the rear of the reception area. A complete redecoration provided an immaculate base for the brand personalisation.

Purple reign

One of the biggest design aspects missing from the original Hanham Dental practice was a coherent brand colour. There were splashes of purple and red but the predominant shade was lime green. Together, they were disjointed and dated.

The MPL design team took inspiration from the existing Hanham Dental logo and website to underpin this two-floor refurbishment. A bold ‘grape’ shade of purple became the uniting colour, paired with a soft grey to provide a neutral balance.

The colour is most evident in the reception, appearing as a laminate on the reception desk, and as faux leather upholstery on the banquette seating and occasional chairs. The carpet is also colour-matched, drawing the eye from the entrance, up the stairs to the first floor.

Lego: the star of the show

With the brief stipulating that the practice owner’s amazing collection of Star Wars Lego models should be on show in the reception, the team set about designing and installing a tailor-made display cabinet. With the model dimensions taken, a faux wall was erected, with six internally-illuminated recesses accessed via acrylic doors.

Desk job

One of the major gripes with the old practice was the overly large and clumsy reception desk. Once removed, a bespoke desk was installed. Its sleek, curved design is a neat presence, and different heights provide privacy and accessibility. Timber slats at either end of the desk partially obscure the view of staff screens, with the front portion slats taking the form of a full height hinged door.

Additional elements

MPL supplied all new furniture to include staff chairs, meeting tables, client chairs, a bespoke desk in the practice manager’s office and staff lockers.