Neo-ToothLand

Neo ToothLand is a man-made green hill that envelops a pediatric dentist office in Yokohama, Japan. the new location for Yuumirai pediatric dental clinic occupies the ground floor of a residential tower and enjoys three advantages, its prime location facing the Portside Park along the canal, the high ceiling, and the transparent glass facade. The design capitalizes on these three points to extend the park inside the building by creating a hill form and covering it with greenery. While the medical spaces are placed underneath with openings on the side of the hill that resembles cave entrances, allowing access and guarantees views towards the park. The reception space and waiting area are outside the hill form allowing the patients to enjoy the atmosphere and the green hill slopes. The corridor on the right side of the reception leading to all the medical spaces is finished in earthy tones assimilating the effect of exploring a natural cave. To emphasize the effect, the booths in the center open through light-wells on the ceiling that provides views on the greenery overhead as patients lay down on the dental chairs. Turning the clinic into a park turns the stressful dental visit into a kid friendly enjoyable and exciting experience. Neo-ToothLand focuses on psychological and societal sustainability of the space. Even when adding playrooms and having colorful murals, the pediatric dental clinics do not have a lasting impact on children. Yuumirai clinic approaches this problem in a holistic design concept, where Children not only enjoy their visit when inside the clinic but also rises their curiosity when passing outside of it. The clinic has the same impact on adults walking by or just sitting in the park in front. The clinic is a natural extension of the park to the inside of the residential High-rise tower creating a natural invitation to come inside. The contrast between the organic matter and the hi-tech medical equipment attracts the curiosity of all ages.