An eye clinic by Toronto-based multi-disciplinary design studio Atelier Sun features an artistic gridded ceiling feature composed of wooden slats to hide concrete beams of various heights and locations left over from the previous structure in Ontario, Canada.

Named Innovation Eye Clinic, the 130-square-metre space is an ophthalmology clinic and eyeglass retail outlet located on the ground floor of a newly completed condominium building in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

Atelier Sun was commissioned to deliver a brand-new clinic to experience the space with warm, modest, and sleek color palette. 

General View

Different hues of wood dominate the interior, while cabinets, shelves and light play a key role to create a cozy atmosphere.

"When the clients first received the space, they noticed concrete beams in various elevations and locations throughout," said the studio.

According to the architects, a certain area of the ceiling dropped below 8 feet (2.43 meter) from the promised 13-foot (3.96 meter) ceiling clearance height. 

View of displays

"We had to devise a plan to conceal the beams, but we also embraced it as a design response to the existing character of the space,” explains Andrew Sun, lead architectural and interior designer, and founder of the firm. 

"We came up with an innovative ceiling feature that both addressed the immediate issue and inspired us to replicate it throughout the design."

The studio came with up an artistic solution and proposed a new ceiling mesh composed of wooden slats, suspended at varying heights and connected with clean, straight lines. 

View of reception

Recognizing that the structure’s transparency warmly contrasted with the bright white ceiling above, custom-designed lighting was designed in an intricate way that embedded in the wooden slats themselves in lieu of more traditional downlights, or pot lights, found in similar retail spaces. 

Different forms of display

"The positioning and luminosity of the embedded lights creates a subtle and sophisticated interplay between the light and wood tones that creates a welcoming sense of balance and harmony," said the studio.

In addition, the studio added a feature wall at the back of the entry area, defined by natural wood tones that infuse organic warmth into the space. 

Detail of reception display

"A sense of layering"

Within the embrace of the wood-toned feature wall, a reception desk serves as a transition point between the retail space and the rear operations of the clinic. 

The resulting contrast between the white and the wood tones creates a sense of layering, and the illusion of stepping out of the white box to enter a separate wooden box.

Display lighting

The wood-toned displays that line the walls of the retail spaces perfectly complement the store’s design aesthetic. The soft, customized lighting casts a warm glow on the products and enhances the eyewear on display. 

Beyond the retail space, the client’s clinical facilities provide a very warm, calming, and functional environment, contributing to the overall design.

Detail of reception

From the unique wood ceiling feature, to the wood backdrop panels and eyewear displays, each element is carefully crafted and curated to create a space that is both functional and visually stunning. 

It is a space that inspires and captivates, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the eyewear and the coziness and inviting atmosphere of the store.

Display besides Hiden door leads to clinic area

Display with feature wooden niche

Detail of Lighting feature

Floor plan

Sections

Atelier Sun was founded in 2020 by Andrew Sun. Situated in Toronto, Atelier SUN is a multi-disciplinary design studio that focuses on architecture and interior design.

Project facts

Project Name: Innovation Eye Clinic

Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Architect / Designer: Atelier Sun

Team: Andrew Sun, Cherie Yang, Jacqueline Horne 

Millworker: Gold Palace Woodworking

Contractor: Amazi Image

Completion date: Feb 2023

Area: 1400 sq. ft.

Top image: General View of Reception Feature wall. 

All images © Joel Esposito.

All drawings © Atelier Sun.

> via Atelier Sun

Atelier Sun built wood