An Orthodontist’s Office Gets a New Face
After 22 years as an orthodontist in the Navy, Dr. Alfred J. Maskeroni decided to open a private practice with the goal of creating an office environment that would appeal both to his staff and teenage clientele. He also wanted a relaxing, low-stress setting that he himself could enjoy.
Dr. Maskeroni invited JSR Associates, Inc., a design firm based in Ellicott City, Md., to brainstorm and develop a theme that would meet the criteria he had in mind. With JSR’s help, Dr. Maskeroni ultimately selected a water motif. Besides its easy appeal to children and teens, the design also reflected the orthodontist’s naval background and the office’s Baltimore-Annapolis location.
JSR’s approach to office design in the healthcare environment has always been to support the function of a healing practice and create a welcoming space in which the patient feels cared for and important. Using creative ceiling treatments, a vinyl wall mural of the underwater world and decorative but functional lighting, JSR transformed an ordinary office into an experience.
As a result of the wallcovering and flooring material selection process, JSR’s principal, Jane Rohde, FIIDA, AIA, ACHA, NCARB, opted for vinyl. “It is one of the few materials that are durable as well as aesthetic in nature. Vinyl was key in making a theme concept work in a space that has to be easily cleaned and maintained,” Rohde said.
In addition, vinyl lent itself well to such production challenges as creating curve patterns in flooring – like the wave-and-beach sand representation on the office floor that complemented the underwater mural. Vinyl was also used for the water-theme wallcovering because of its printability; the digital image of the ocean was applied directly onto the vinyl sheet using a large-format ink printer. Blue vinyl upholstery used on dental chairs and stools matched the water theme. In addition, design elements known for their soothing effects – such as vinyl bubble tubes in the ortho bays frequently used to calm agitation in patients – were also part of the project.
The transformed office space has been a hit with the orthodontist’s clients. “My patients come into my office and don’t want to leave!” said Dr. Maskeroni.