Page 77 - AIT1119_E-Paper
P. 77
Entwurf • Design Clark Nexsen, US-Asheville
Foto: Dorothea Schulz, Clark Nexsen
Bauherr • Client Blue Ridge Orthodontics
Standort • Location Hendersonville Rd., US-Asheville
Nutzfläche • Floor space 700 m 2
Fotos • Photos Mark Herboth, US-Raleigh
Mehr Infos auf Seite • More infos on page 142
ORTHODONTICS
IN ASHEVILLE
Changing smiles, changing lifes – this is the advertising
of the Blue Ridge orthodontic practice in Asheville in
North Carolina. The practice not only wants to help its
patients in getting beautiful teeth but also cultivates the
principle of beauty in its premises. With plenty of wood
and views of nature, Clark Nexsen succeeded in desig-
ning a relaxing atmosphere which is anything but sterile.
I n the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains, at the western end of North
Carolina and close to the border with State of Tennessee is the town
of Asheville with a population of approximately 90,000 people. Along
the southern arterial road, Hendersonville Road, one of the typical hete-
rogeneous commercial areas has developed: little appealing when it
comes to the urban development and the architecture with numerous
shops, supermarkets, restaurants, banks, fitness centres and many,
many parking spaces. On a corner lot with a view of the Oak Forest one
does, however, discover a surprising architectural outlier – the Blue Ridge
orthodontic practice which was designed by Clark Nexsen. The practice
is located in an L-shaped, one-storey pavilion and has a total area of 700
square metres. The far-projecting wood-panelled roof consists of Radiata
pine. A base covered in natural stone and playfully alternating in its
height envelops the whole unconventional construction which would
Grundriss • Floor plan stand out anywhere but especially right here. The glass façades above it
extend up to the sculptural, seemingly floating roof. This also makes the
entrance area towards the street look extremely open, friendly and trans-
parent. The best side of the practice, however, is at the back with its
„Holztöne, intuitive Wege und viele bequeme calm, newly installed garden and a view towards the Oak Forest. This is
Sitzgelegenheiten vermitteln eher die Atmosphäre where the dental chairs for adjusting the braces are lined up. Comforta-
ble benches run along the façades. The message is clear: Look outside
eines Spas als jene einer Kieferorthopädie.“ and relax! – Enjoy the view and calm down! The inhibition thresholds for
entering are kept deliberately low. The routing is intuitive. Two sculptu-
Clark Nexsen rally shaped walls of poplar plywood – partitions and enormous pieces
of furniture at the same time – escort the patients from the waiting- and
reception area to the likewise open treatment zones. A homogeneous
floor of polished concrete seamlessly connects all the areas. The highly
functional partitions of poplar wood cleverly integrate washbasins and
storage shelves of solid-surface material as well as mirrors and luminai-
res. The warm shades of wood produce a pleasant ambience inspired
by spas. Behind the wooden walls are rooms requiring more privacy: in-
Schnitt • Section dividual treatment rooms, offices and consulting rooms.
AIT 11.2019 • 077
