Paper Cut Parlor

Visiondivision with Wild Windows has made a waiting room for a private clinic in Stockholm that specializes in athletic injuries. The clinic has two functions; it consists of a rehab gym and an arthroscopic centre. The clinic is occupying a storey in a larger hospital with a staircase and elevator unit that goes through all the floors in the building. We wanted to separate the clinic from the rest of the rather bland hospital environment when creating the new waiting room, and make a clearly defined space that is fresh and diverse while still being comfortable and relaxed to hang around and work in.



A glass partition with an automatic sliding door is separating the common corridor from the new waiting room to make the new space more secluded. What stands out most in the room is the ceiling which has its origins in the usual 60cm x 60cm plates as is found in the hospital and in most public spaces around Sweden, but here we have made a custom disc of form pressed transparent paper which also serves as lighting. The module looks like an upside down pyramid found in three different modes: closed, semi closed and open. The closed version is the most common that even though it is closed also lets through some light because of the semi-transparent properties of the material. The semi-open module sits above the benches and the open ones are located above the reception desk, tables and spots that need to be well lit. Behind the paper sheets are LED-lightning that can change colour, which changes the character of the room and makes the whole room vary slightly depending on when you're there. In addition to the three variants, there is also another unique module that is larger than the others and that can be projected from above and becomes an information display which can be seen from four directions. Here you can view information about the clinic, photo slideshows, movies or whatever is suitable according to the occasion. The ceiling itself is thus a sort of a light fixture that you can focus your attention on while waiting and with its jagged shape it also has excellent acoustic properties. The 60cm x 60cm modular system means that we also can use many standard fixtures regarding electricity, ventilation and so on.



The actual interior is made out of different woods that are darker closer to the floor and lighter closer to the ceiling and the light. The floor is a plastic mat due to cleaning reasons that mimics dark walnut parquet. The reception desk is 75 cm high so it will be easily accessible for people in wheelchairs and the low height also gives a relaxed first impression, opposite to the high reception desks which can feel somewhat stiff and bureaucratic. The reception desk has three computer stations where individuals can check in to the gym or to the arthroscopic centre with a proximity to the concierge if any questions should arise. The gym and the clinic each have a clear sign at each receptionist. The two height adjustable workstations are built-in the desk for a cohesive look. A small gap between the desk and the wall creates a small short cut for the receptionist closest to the gym. The waiting room consists of 27 seats and some spaces next to a high table for clients that prefer to stand while waiting. The table has also gym products at display and some informative brochures. The clients gets a small beep gadget that alerts them when it is their turn, which means that the doctors doesn’t need to come out in the waiting room and call up the patient. Overall it is a pleasant and comfortable waiting room that works well for both the gym and the arthroscopic clinic. The ceiling gives the room a visual consistency and also the ability to vary the experience for those waiting.
Expected completion date: late summer 2011.


Plan, click on the image for a larger view Section, click on the image for a larger view