SABI Health reimagines the experience of primary care
SABI Health was designed with a deep sensitivity to atmosphere and emotion. As a patient-centred organization offering integrative therapies, they are reimagining what primary care and wellness looks like: holistic, preventative, and deeply personal. To support this elevated approach, they needed a space that could meet a full range of treatment programming and service offerings, without feeling overly clinical.
The design blends bold architectural expression with a moody palette of dark, earthy tones and rich, tactile materials. The result is a hospitality-driven space that feels grounded and calming, but far from sterile. Designed to enhance the patient experience at every turn, this space balances emotional ease with physical healing, proving that interior architecture can be both expressive and deeply supportive.
Joanne Fernandes
Cindy Tran
Project Start Date: April 2024
Project Completion Date: May 2025
Square Footage: + / - 3,500 sq ft
The Challenge
Balance: Our team needed to design an environment that could seamlessly serve both medical precision and human comfort. It needed to perform at a high clinical standard while also delivering a curated, emotionally resonant experience. This required careful planning to ensure that safety, functionality, and technical requirements were fully met, without allowing them to dictate a space that felt cold or overly clinical.
The Solution
To ensure health, safety, and functionality were never secondary to aesthetics, the design process centred the user experience at every stage. Material selections, spatial planning, and detailing were all approached through a healthcare lens, prioritizing cleanability, durability, and accessibility without compromising on atmosphere.
The Human-Centred Lens
Every detail of SABI Health's space was designed to enhance the patient journey, from physical comfort to emotional well-being. Rich textures and layered, tactile materials introduce a sense of calm and softness, evoking the comfort of residential spaces while meeting the technical standards of a medical setting.
A warm, earthy palette and the use of natural materials promote a sense of grounding and serenity, supporting emotional ease from the moment of arrival. Lighting was carefully considered to maintain a quiet, soothing ambiance throughout, avoiding glare and harsh contrasts often associated with clinical environments.
Privacy and flow were equally prioritized. Thoughtful space planning ensures patients move intuitively through the space, while maintaining a sense of discretion and dignity.
Key Features
Reception desk
Designed to meet barrier-free requirements without sacrificing visual cohesion, the reception desk integrates accessibility into a refined, sculptural form. Its detailing and proportions feel fully embedded in the space, setting the tone for a high-end, hospitality-inspired experience from the moment of arrival.
Cold plunge
The cold plunge features custom tubs and a circular shower configuration, blending spa-inspired detailing with the durability and performance required in a medical environment. The layout ensures fluid movement and privacy while highlighting the client’s focus on integrative wellness.
Cove ceiling
A soft, curved cove ceiling above reception adds architectural rhythm and subtle drama. Paired with thoughtful lighting, it creates a welcoming sense of volume and ease while helping to visually anchor the waiting zone.
Relax zone
Tucked into a quieter area of the plan, the relax zone features custom millwork and a built-in fireplace that introduces warmth, calm, and a residential sensibility. This space offers patients a moment to decompress, bridging function with comfort in a way rarely seen in healthcare settings.
Results
Project Credits
Engineers: Smith & Andersen (Mechanical and Electrical)
Contractors: Leading Edge Developments
Furniture: Contemporary Office Interiors
Landlord: Anchor Mountain Developments
