I like beautiful things and I like what Appareil does. I gave them ‘’carte blanche’’ for my clinic, which I like to call my ‘’architect house’’.", she explains. An Elegant, Structured Space Upon entering the space, you are welcomed by the reception area. The desk, clad in a series of fine, vertical ceramic tiles, is part of a central structure that extends into the clinic's private areas, including the consultation and operating rooms. Curved at the corners, this long, rectangular structure is the heart of the project.

This central structure naturally delineates the space, creating an efficient traffic flow that allows people to move easily in both directions. The space is composed of both a reception and waiting area, dentist offices, operating and sterilization rooms, as well as employee rooms, and an office for Dr. Chouinard. The operating rooms have been placed away from the waiting room, ensuring privacy for the patients. At the other end of the clinic, opposite the reception area, are the employee spaces. A warm, communal kitchen, bathed in afternoon light, allows employees to take a well-deserved break.

A long concrete island envelopes a central concrete column, repeating its spherical shape at both ends. This island runs alongside a wood-paneled wall and the kitchen counter. The different alignments in the woodwork and the pleasing simplicity of form are a testament to the know-how of Appareil Architecture. "My employees appreciate the quality of life here. It was important for me to make them feel comfortable," comments Anne-Frédérique Chouinard. The Comfort and Warmth of Residential Design To help alleviate the stress of the surgery experience for both patients and employees, Appareil Architecture’s design focuses on both comfort and customization.

The reception area adopts a residential atmosphere, with its integrated, upholstered seating, complete with lots of cushions, long delicate linen curtains, and lush green plants. "The customer feedback is very positive. They feel like they’re in someone’s home, rather than a clinic. That was my intention," says Dr. Chouinard. Wood, textured glass, and cream ceramics, the main materials selected for the project, all lend a reassuring character to the space. In addition to a soft, peaceful color palette, these natural materials contribute to the soothing, comforting ambiance.

Every detail enriches the space. The fluted glass doors ensure privacy while adding refinement. The off-white ceramic tiles in the central structure create a continuous and reassuring atmosphere throughout the reception area and corridors. The fluted glass doors ensure privacy while adding refinement. The wooden door frames and wall paneling brings warmth and presence to the corridor and the various entrances. Touches of oak and greenery add character to the space. Large windows let ample natural light into the clinic, following the path of the sun throughout the day and accompanying patients into the treatment rooms.

In the morning, the dentist's offices, positioned on the window side, are flooded with natural light. In the afternoon, this light pours into the staff areas and illuminates the central structure. In the hallway, the skylight creates a plunging light that embellishes the architecture and highlights the nobility of the white oak. Appareil Architecture faced a dual challenge in building the clinic, as Maxillo Tandem is part of an ecological real estate project. Not only did the team have to design a clinic within functional medical operating standards, but they also needed to ensure that the energy system integrated properly within the energy efficiency standards of the new ecological district.

Faced with these complex technical challenges, the architects succeeded in composing a functional space that is at once elegant and soothing. More than just a clinic, it is a place that centers both the patient’s experience and the employee’s quality of life.