Sugarbug Dental-Hero@2x- Colorful pediatric dental CROP

SUGARBUG DENTAL

Design Challenge

How did the architects create an intricately organized design for a pediatric dental office in an otherwise mundane commercial space? 

Design Solution

By working closely with the client, a pediatric dentist, AB design studio successfully designed a calming, family-friendly setting meant to ease the anxiety of dental office visits for children and parents. The architects, having worked extensively in early childhood development design, were armed with the knowledge of children’s needs through carefully programmed design. Desks, chairs, and lavatories were created at scalable, accessible heights. Sound-proof sliding glass doors ensure that children have visual contact with parents, while simultaneously creating a calming isolation for patients. The design team closely followed specific and exacting specifications for the dentist’s highly orchestrated procedures. The front-of-house examination rooms were carefully separated from the back-of-house operations of the nurse’s lab with the utmost efficiency in order to spare patients from the distractions of preparation activities.

The architects worked closely with a graphic designer to ensure the logo, stationery, and promotional materials were in line with the interior architecture. Bright pops of a signature orange, later incorporated into the company’s logo, create an intriguing and playful visual element.

Sugarbug Dental is the recipient of several awards, including the 2008 AIAVC Design Honor Award in the Commercial/Institutional category, the 2009 AIA|Santa Barbara Design Merit Award in the Commercial/Institutional category, and the 2009 California Home + Design Award for Commercial Design. 

Sugarbug Dental-@2x-1a Balck and white rendering -
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-1b Mom and daughter in hallway

Project Data

LOT SIZE
48,950 sf
PROJECT SIZE
2,600 sf
CONSTRUCTION COST
$500,000
LOCATION
Oxnard, CA
PRINCIPAL
Josh Blumer, AIA
PROJECT MANAGER
Josh Blumer, AIA
DESIGN TEAM
Clay Aurell, AIA | Colin Curry | Christopher Halliday | Denise Rocha | Schuyler Bartholomay
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-2a Front of pediatric dental room
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-2b Pediatric dental hallway
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-3 Abstract Rendering CROP
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-4 Floor plan CROP
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-5a Reception Desk
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-5a Reception Desk CROP
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-5c Mom and baby in front of operatory
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-5c Operatory Rendering CROP
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-6 Operatory Rendering 2
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-12 Operatory and hallway 2
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-7a Group at reception desk
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-7b Toddler at reception desk on scooter
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-8 Mom and son smiling at reception desk
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-9a Operatory
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-9b Operatory 2
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-10 Operatory 3
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-11a Operatory and Hallway
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-11b Doctor and patient
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-12 Operatory and hallway 2
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-13a Man in hallway
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-13b Architectural detail
Sugarbug Dental-@2x-13c Architectural model EDIT