OAKV
Montreal-based architecture practice AtelierCarle challenges traditional design norms within medical clinics through its project, OAKV.
Historically, such spaces have been defined by cold, impersonal environments. With OAKV however, AtelierCarle has created a warm and inviting setting that humanises the clinical experience.
Located in a suburban business centre in Oakville, near Toronto, OAKV occupies more than 700 square metres of space that initially presented particular challenges. Its generic, uninspiring character and limited natural light had to be addressed to achieve the desired atmosphere. “Everything begins with the surrounding context. The project was conceived as a retreat into an interior world, progressing through a series of filters from the facade and unfolding into an autonomous interior landscape,” says Alain Carle, founding architect of AtelierCarle.
The brief called for a clinic that would stand apart from others, one that offers a warmer, more relaxing atmosphere than a conventional medical facility. “Having designed and completed several Aesop retail stores, our clients expressed the desire to build a fully customised space with a similar level of attention to detail and ambience,” says Carle.
A large skylight floods the central double-height space with natural light, while walnut wallcoverings bring warmth to the reception area.
A large skylight floods the central double-height space with natural light, while walnut wallcoverings bring warmth to the reception area. “The skylights in the entry hall and adjacent corridors were designed in the spirit of patio houses, creating a sequence of spaces organised around these illuminated areas rather than opening directly onto the generic exterior of a commercial complex,” he explains. There is no direct visual connection to the outside; each window is veiled with curtains to enhance the sense of retreat and introspection.
Flanking the central space are two public-facing amenities: a cafe, which brings together employees and patients, and a cosmetics boutique with a testing counter. Together with the central area, these spaces form a public zone that gradually transitions visitors toward the treatment rooms.
Light acts as a filter, shaping a sensitive journey through spaces of different functions. “The modulation of light creates a clear, almost graphic distinction between the public areas and the more private ones,” says Carle. “It fosters a gradual sense of seclusion, from the dynamic, activity-filled reception spaces to the intimacy and calm of the procedure rooms.”
Defined by soft and calming tones, the tactile material palette further enhances this experience. Finishes are scaled down to create an intimate, welcoming environment that helps users feel at ease. “It stems from the intention to transform the space into a human-scale, tactile environment that contrasts with the vast, sterile exterior.”
Medical-grade surfaces are limited to worktops, allowing timber to be integrated wherever possible. AtelierCarle also carefully selected medical furniture that harmonises with the softer palette, ensuring functionality and hygiene requirements were met. “Our architectural ambitions were fully aligned with the client’s vision. Together, we determined that the necessary medical-grade surfaces could be limited to worktops,” adds Carle. Stainless steel, selected for its hygienic and reflective qualities, contrasts with the dark wood, defining the medical areas while distinguishing them from the clinic’s softer, more intimate spaces.
The tiled cafe and kitchen area has its own distinctive identity within the OAKV clinic. Visually bolder yet still serene, this multifunctional space serves patients, staff and other users of the business centre, doubling as a lounge and training area. “The colour and shimmering effects of the tiles, with their varied sheens, reflect the qualities of a natural, soothing environment, providing a counterpoint to the mineral character of the surrounding outdoor spaces.”
By transforming a generic commercial shell into a warm, tactile and carefully curated environment, AtelierCarle demonstrates how design can rethink expectations of a medical clinic. “The achievement we value most is having given this place a new meaning in the city through a significant sophistication of the interiors,” says Carle. “The contrasts created provoke a sense of place and a unique identity. For us, it is a pledge of civic sense and a contribution to clinical experience.
