Impress Valencia Dental Clinic by Raul Sanchez

You will be forgiven for mistaking this project for the inside of a dream you’ve had. Designed by Raúl Sánchez Architects, Impress Valencia harnesses the surreal and fantastical to redefine dental clinics for a young audience. Never ones for the conventional, this fanciful interior is breathtakingly original.

With special geometry to consider and little access to natural light, the design proposes two curves that interplay with each other. Orientated along the length of the space, the curves meet close in the middle and apart on either side as they enclose all functional spaces – dental boxes, sales spaces and toilets. In the space in between, there is enough room to sit turning the entire sprawling central area into a large waiting room. Blurring the classic approach to corridors and rooms, the curved shape also ensures light filters through the entire open interior from the street.

The raised space in the back is lined with red carpet and metal sheets of the same colour – a striking reference to Twin Peaks, it sits in dramatic contrast to the white lacquered curves and pinewood fixtures. Used for events, concerts or demonstrations, the two curved planes guide visitors towards it. As the darkest spot in the clinic, the designers managed to work this area to their advantage by creating something outrageously cool and undoubtedly the most special spot in the whole interior.

This clinic is all about the curves – pillars are treated with mirrors to erase the spatial barriers and add a dreamlike complexity through reflections. Pinewood boxes embedded in the curves act as doors to the functional spaces. Diagonal blue and white designs cover the dental boxes while the sale area take the same route as the stage, enveloped in floor-to-wall blue carpet and mass coloured fibreboard furniture to match.

This illusory interior drips with dreamlike visuals, heralding in Impress’ commitment to a new generation of dental clinics. The real question now is this: How will anyone top this?