Spread across an area of 10,000 square feet, located at one of the prominent locations in Ahmedabad is an Imaging Centre that pushes the barrier of Radiology and Diagnostic care. We aimed to design the imaging centre beyond the tightly knelt constraints of such healthcare-related programs. Thus resulting in a spatial layout that caters to curated interconnected spaces. Thereby, achieving the need for transparency while maintaining privacy, as diverse situations suggest.

An Imaging Centre That Pushes the Barrier of Radiology | CraftsPOD Design Studio

Spatial Layout

Programmatically, the office is spread between four floors; each floor has its reception, waiting area, counselling and doctors’ rooms. Primary functional spaces for MRI, CT-Scan, PETCT, sonography, X-ray, mammography, DEXA, etc. are distributed among the first three floors.

The top floor houses the doctor’s area which includes a lecture zone, cafeteria, accounts and staff rooms.

Design Concept

The design revolves around the idea of creating a space that caters to patients. Thus exhibiting a sense of calmness and repose as a part of their experience. On all floors, we situate the waiting areas and reception towards the front, as they represent the most public part of the program. This positioning ensures better exposure to natural light and a stronger connection to the outside.

Surrounding the waiting areas are the doctor’s cabin, counselling rooms, and private waiting rooms, where one tries to play with the connectivity between spaces. Through manifestation, there is an ability to regulate visual connections in such a way that it doesn’t hinder the need for privacy in such spaces.

Transparency Between Spaces

We enhance the increase in transparency by creating frames in an orderly manner and incorporating contrasting and alternative elements to complement them. Through the use of thinner sections of metal rods as a part of the composition of the frames, such a difference in language is created to make the connections more prompt.

These intents further relate to the circulation and organisation of spaces, beyond the limitation of elements or material choices. The design creates mass in the form of cabins, which enclose the void of the waiting/reception area while maintaining a degree of transparency between spaces. 

Public and Private Spaces

We create offsets to form an in-between space between the public and private areas, which also serve as transitional spaces. These become mediators between spaces, allowing us to alter scales as per necessity. In certain cases, these offsets also serve as a visual barrier between both spaces, creating a mass complimented by limited openings. In the waiting area, the reception acts as an anchor point that holds all things together through its position as well as the gesture.

It is set apart from the remaining spaces through the paler of the roof, the lighting, and the backdrop. We position the remaining functions that require enclosure to prevent radiation exposure at the end of the floor, establishing a strong sense of hierarchy as one moves from the front to the back. There was a need to break scales as one moved from one space to another, as per the needs of the functions. We achieve this by altering the material, treatment, and positioning of the ceiling, changing the nature of openings, adapting different lighting qualities, and modifying the organisation of furniture. 

Open and Vibrant

Despite the strong dominance of the programmer, which requires the flow of activities and movement in a certain way, we have managed to create a space that feels open and vibrant. The lighting of the space further complements the design concept.

Large profile lights illuminate the waiting area, while we position focused work lights in areas requiring procedures. In common areas, we also use wall lights to illuminate elements and highlight textured walls.

Material Selection

We chose the material palette for the project to further accentuate the concerns. We chose a palette of natural teakwood and black metal to highlight the overall design. The textured grey walls and colourful furniture add vibrancy to the space. We use wood to create mass, employing it on vertical surfaces and certain furniture elements. In spaces where thinner finishes are required, we have used metal in the form of frames, tabletops, metal grills, and so on.

Contrast Between Spaces

This approach also facilitates the creation of a contrast between the wood, the grey rustic finish of the walls, and the highlighted elements. We incorporate metal frames in specific areas to both complement and contrast the mass created by wood. Wooden panelling serves as a backdrop for the furniture and metal frame, each highlighting and complementing the other. Thin black sections induce transparency, so we demarcate them accordingly. Aligning openings and elements and orienting furniture with the frames enhances the visual frames created. 

Overall order is maintained in space by the spatial character of elements. Solid wooden rods in Furniture are consistent with that of shelves and storage, creating a coherent geometric order. Overall, the geometric order imbues the space with a cohesive character, where each element maintains coherence and contributes to the overall composition, rather than standing out individually.

Fact File

Designed by: CraftsPOD Design Studio

Project Type: Retail Interior Design

Project Name: Gujarat Imaging Centre (GIC) Prime

Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Year Built: October 2023

Principal Architects: Atreya Bhattacharyya & Janki Contractor

Team Design Credits: Atreya BhaLacharyya, Janki Contractor, Priyal Shah & Nandini Sharma

Photograph Courtesy: phxindia & Ira Gosalia

Firm’s Website Link: CraftsPOD Design Studio

Firm’s Instagram Link: CraftsPOD Design Studio

Firm’s Facebook Link: CraftsPOD Design Studio

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