tetsuo yamaji architects builds a dental clinic with residential comfort in japan

a clinic that resembles a house 

It is said that about one in four people are scared to visit the dentist; sterile rooms, muted colors, bright lights, and the familiar TV screen on the ceiling to distract patients. Tetsuo Yamaji Architects aimed to design a dental clinic that follows the requirements of those spaces but also exudes a calm, residential-like comfort. Located in Kagawa Prefecture, in Japan, Utazu Clinic stands out from the surrounding typical national chain stores with its angular silhouette. With Mt. Aonoyama as a backdrop, the structure presents itself proudly with clear geometries, mimicking the presence of a house clad in white. The design team sought to form a welcoming enviroment that reminds us of everything but a clinic. An extensive angular opening that follows the contour of the building gives a glimpse of the impressive wooden interior with a permeable character that runs throughout the project.

all images by Kenta Hasegawa 

a calming yet professional enviroment 

For the clinic project, Tetsuo Yamaji Architects did not limit themselves to conventional solutions but offered an out-of-the-box proposal. ‘I would be happy if the patient who came for dental treatment were as calm and comfortable as possible,’ shares the team. The scheme accommodates a ground floor and a mezzanine, maintaining a visual connection between them. A high ceiling is achieved through a skeleton that utilizes wooden diagonal stilts and a series of wooden beams that support the roof at a slope of 45 degrees. The examination room features wide openings that enable the patients on the dental chairs to gaze outwards. A white corrugated wall ensures their privacy from passers-by but still lets sunlight come in. 

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project info:

name: Utazu Clinic

architects: Tetsuo Yamaji Architects | @ymja_official

location: Utazu-Cho, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan

area: 174.18 sqm

photography: Kenta Hasegawa