Q Dermatology

good-design-award_gold-winner_rgb_blk_logo
  • 2020

  • Architectural
    Interior Design

Commissioned By:

Q Dermatology

Designed In:

Australia

‘Specialist treatment, expert care’ was at the centre of the design philosophy for Q Dermatology. ODO designed a space that is entirely focused on patient comfort and wellbeing, creating an experience that feels welcoming, hygienic and ensures patients feel at ease; ultimately driving change in patient expectations of medical care.


view website

Image: Mindi Cooke
Image: Mindi Cooke
Image: Mindi Cooke
Image: Mindi Cooke
Image: Mindi Cooke
Image: Mindi Cooke
Image: Mindi Cooke
Image: Mindi Cooke
Image: Mindi Cooke
  • CHALLENGE
  • SOLUTION
  • IMPACT
  • MORE
  • Q Dermatology is a specialist medical facility, so our main challenge was to design a space that is hygienic and meets the requirements of a medical grade facility, without feeling cold and sterile. Through our research, we observed a “design” formula that had emerged in the fitout of specialist medical facilities, with standardised waiting chairs and reception desks and little or no connection to views and natural light. Our aim was to challenge this approach and inject design elements to shift the focus to comfort and wellness, ensuring a positive patient experience.

  • Located within a newly developed day hospital, the space has access to expansive views and natural light. Space planning was resolved around sharing the most desirable spaces with both patients and staff, celebrating these key features from the visitor arrival through to the consult rooms. Incorporating planting, natural materials and soft seating was critical in adding an element of softness to a space that still needed to achieve medical grade design standards. Unexpected detailing of materials and joinery elevated the outcome to ensure patients not only felt supported and comfortable, but the overall experience was pleasurable and memorable.

  • The experience created at Q Dermatology challenges the typical approach to specialist medical care and most importantly, it changes and elevates patient expectations. Commercially, while the practice is new, the leading doctor has years of experience, and it was important to convey this strength and his commitment to patient comfort and safety within the design rationale. The space created has supported the quick and successful growth of this business and powerful design tools, including brand communication used subtly throughout the fitout, were critical in both solidifying and communicating the strength and experience of the leading doctor and his team.

  • Visiting a dermatologist can feel quite daunting for many people. It can feel uncomfortable and invasive and almost certainly requires an element of exposure. Critical to our design approach was to ensure the layout provides patients with privacy and that the consult rooms were designed with clear visual cues on how they can interact with the space. The consult rooms, while meeting exceptional medical grade performance including the latest in medical equipment, incorporate elements of timber and colour, creating warmth and relaxation, and assist in making the experience enjoyable. The waiting area is centered around maximizing access to views and natural lighting with planting, soft seating and a bespoke self-serve water station, encouraging patients to feel at ease from the point of their arrival. Brand communication was another critical element of the design. The ‘Q’ Logo element is embedded in the terrazzo flooring at the entry and is embossed in elements of the banquette seating within the waiting area. The materials used throughout were selected with longevity in mind and elements such as texture, natural patterns and light were powerful design tools in both solidifying and communicating the strength of the brand and the leading doctor behind it.