A minimalist dental surgery by Silvosa París Arquitectura

Silvosa París Arquitectura chose exposed grey brick as the lead material for the surgery, which became a key part of the visual identity of the project.

(Image credit: Luis Díaz Díaz)

By Harriet Thorpe

last updated 10 October 2022

in Features

Silvosa París has used architecture to create a fresh brand identity for a new dental clinic in Betanzos, a village in north-west Spain – which also happens to be the birthplace of architect David Silvosa, and where he met his practice partner Patricia París.

Combining modernism with minimalism, the architects created a clean and sculptural design which has a compelling cinematic quality, while maintaining its clear function as a dentist’s surgery. The architects rebuilt the facade and birthed a practical plan for the surgery, prioritising natural light, using functional materials and integrating elements of identity within the architecture.

*The name Losada Serrano is set in the same petroleum colour of the interior textile vinyl flooring*

The dental practice Losada Serrano entrusted the architects to fit three dental ‘cabinets’ into the space along with a waiting room and meeting room, as well as developing the visual identity of the surgery. Silvosa París worked with relative autonomy on the designs: ‘We enjoyed having the freedom, yet as a counterpart we had the maximum responsibility to fulfil their expectations,’ says Silvosa.

Silvosa wanted the architecture to differentiate the surgery from other dental franchises and to create a domestic experience for visitors. ‘We wanted to create a personal vision – a brand – based on the two partners and to transmit, through space and image, its values and create a coherent, consistent and memorable experience,’ he says.

Dental clinic hallway — *The flooring is a textile vinyl from Bolon*

Rebuilding the facade on the ground floor of the existing building was a key part of the design: ‘We didn't want to open up the facade with windows to the south because it could generate a greenhouse effect for the interior, but we did want to create a storefront to the main street, so people would recognise the clinic,’ explains Silvosa.

Ribbed glass encases the dentist’s rooms at the heart of the plan, allowing natural light in while maintaining privacy. A corridor circles the surgery, creating a natural flow for visitors. Echoing the ribs of the glass, the ceiling was constructed of corrugated sheet steel which was stylistic and practical: ‘We integrated air conditioning, lighting and acoustic[s] into one, yet you only see an uninterrupted area with ripples. It was a very low-tech and low-budget solution with high-benefits.’

Losada Serrano written on a brick wall — The architects helped the client devise the wording and branding design of the business name Losada Serrano, the combination of two surnames

Internal divisions of ribbed glass separate the dentist&rsquo;s rooms and the corridors — Internal divisions of ribbed glass separate the dentist’s rooms and the corridors, allowing natural light to filter through while maintaining privacy

"G2" on a blue brick — The architects built signage into the design: ‘Why spend more money on signage if with one gesture you can solve it with naturalness and coherence?’ asks Silvosa. The text is written in Monotype font GT Pressura, by Grilli Type

Natural light cast into the surgery from the glass facade — Natural light is cast into the surgery from the glass facade which has the function of a storefront, opening the surgery up onto the village square and inviting people in

"G1" written on a brick — It was also part of the brief to define the visual identity of the clinic, working with Costa Comunicación Visual (where David Silvosa is also a partner)

Bright white tiles are detailed with petroleum-coloured joining detail

INFORMATION

For more information, visit the Silvosa París Arquitectura website

Harriet Thorpe is a writer, journalist and editor covering architecture, design and culture, with particular interest in sustainability, 20th-century architecture and community. After studying History of Art at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and Journalism at City University in London, she developed her interest in architecture working at Wallpaper* magazine and today contributes to Wallpaper*, The World of Interiors and Icon magazine, amongst other titles. She is author of The Sustainable City (2022, Hoxton Mini Press), a book about sustainable architecture in London, and the Modern Cambridge Map (2023, Blue Crow Media), a map of 20th-century architecture in Cambridge, the city where she grew up.