al dente, Zwolle
The orthodontist practice is located on the outskirts of Zwolle Zuid. Positioned on the boundary between a business park and a residential area, the building forms a transition between the two urban structures. As the surroundings are not that scenic and the programme encourages introversion, we developed a concept that makes it possible to both control views of the surroundings and to restrict views into the practice.
To facilitate the way of working of the orthodontist, who treats several patients at the same time, we came up with a plan that suits his operations perfectly. Contrasting this is the design of the patient’s sequence of silent experiences – waiting and reclining. This theme culminates in the treatment room, where the reclining patient – open mouthed – gazes at an unrestricted view of the Dutch sky through a seven-metre-tall ‘lantern’.
in the treatment room, the reclining patient - open mouthed – gazes at an unrestricted view of the Dutch sky through a seven-metre-tall ‘lantern’
The walls of the building are almost completely composed of large bluish-black English paving stones and are perforated where necessary. The external frames and cladding are made of transparent oiled Robinia timber. The dental furniture is made of natural concrete treatment tops, stainless-steel frames and translucent glass foot blocks.
Project Details
- Site
- Zwolle, The Netherlands
- Client
- Shell Mobers
- Design
- 2000
- Realisation
- 2002
- Size
- 385 m2
- Program
- Healthcare
- Assignment
- Pitch | selected
- Team
- Jeroen Schipper, Bart Akkerhuis, Jeroen van Bekkum, Sonja Gallo, Paul Ketelaars, Britta Schuemmer, Emile van Vugt
- Advisors
- CIHR adviezen, Royal Haskoning, LBP, Bureau Mien Ruys
- Contractor
- Aannemersbedrijf Ardesch, Loohuis Installatietechnieken
- Costs
- 542.000 euro
- Photography
- Arthur Blonk
Awards
- Premio Luigi Cosenza 2003 | Silver medal
Publications
Architectenweb
Bouw
'Alles ademt hightech; de praktijk van de hedendaagse orthodontist', Peter Visser, pp 24-25, nr. 9, September 2002
Costruire in Laterizio
'Clinica odontoiatrica a Zwolle, Olanda', Shira Brand, pp 46-49, nr. 96, November 2003
De Architect
‘Esthetische precisie; Orthodontistenpraktijk van Jeroen Schipper te Zwolle’, Klaske Havik, pp 46 - 49, July 2002
Giovani Architetti Europei 2002
Premio Europeo di Architettura ‘Luigi Cosenza’ 2002, 'An orthodontic practice', pp 74-77, March 2003
Il Progetto
'Anteprima Jeroen Schipper - Uno studio di ortodonzia a Zwolle', Matteo Nigli, pp 62-65, nr. 15, March 2003
Wallpaper
The hot 100: 'Dental Gloss; orthodontic surgery in Zwolle’
Pp 44 - 45, nr. 55, February 2003