Located in the City of Westminster, northwest London, Maida Smiles Dental Clinic offers world class cosmetic dentistry services. The largely residential area has many late Victorian and Edwardian mansion flats with a thriving commercial district. It was famously home to the BBC Maida Vale Studios which broadcast radio news services during World War II, with Lords Cricket Ground and Abbey Road Studios nearby. Due to the unique setting and nature of the business, this new-build project required an innovative, creative and memorable design concept. It needed to be visually engaging helping promote the progressive personality of the clinic in keeping with the advanced cosmetic work taking place onsite. It also required sophistication to mirror the affluent surroundings dubbed ‘Little Venice’ - defined by its Regency style with white Stucco buildings. The design inspiration centred around an interpretation of ceramic dental implants which are commonly used in restorative dentistry. This took the form of more than 1800 hand-crafted ceramic discs which cover the walls in a honeycomb-cluster, providing a modern, clean and clinical edge. The design also features a hidden curvilinear door leading to the main clinical area which effectively disappears when shut blending back into the wall. The custom-made ceramic wall and iconic furniture work in tandem to create an interesting dynamic affecting surfaces, light and reflection. It was imperative that the design of the reception area was able to communicate with the outside walkway and flow into the public space. This strongly influenced Pedra Silva Arquitectos’ (PSA) decision to develop a ‘wrap-around’ ceramic wall design with curving corners creating movement and ultimately providing connection and continuity to the outside realm. The reception desk itself is made of concrete which joins this element to the floor and ceiling while limiting the use of excessive materials. The Maida Smiles project required high levels of functionality. The size of the clinic presented a significant design challenge and consequently raised questions about the development of key architectural features, namely the wrap-around ceramic wall. PSA tested many different types of shapes to create the honeycomb cluster effect including hexagonal designs. However, it also had to consider practical aspects including how to attach the individual ceramic components. PSA found that the circular shape was overwhelming more attractive, not just aesthetically but also from a structural point of view. Anatomically, like an actual dental implant, the circular dimensions make it easier to screw into a surface – an important consideration for multiple installations and balancing creative design with cost and efficiency. When looking at a tooth it contains a cavity or hollow. PSA’s mission was to discreetly incorporate these influences in the surface design. This brought added complexity manipulating the surface of each individual ceramic disc with an indentation, in order to generate a reflective effect. While easy to mould the material, it required time, creativity, innovation and attention to detail to reach this final form. PSA developed many prototypes to identify a surface composition with the right sort of recess. It was also necessary for each disc to be handmade. Over the years, PSA has built up a deep understanding of managing workflow, equipment and procedures within world-class surgical and operating areas. This proved vital for the Maida Smiles project, to effectively manage the space and free-flowing movement of surgical teams and patients. From a functional perspective, practical and ergonomic solutions were required for technical equipment, instruments and waste disposal. The overall result is a creative, innovative and minimalist design maximising the use of space. As a case study, Maida Smiles Dental Clinic further illustrates PSA’s passion for artisan practices and traditional craftmanship. It takes great pride in its collaborative ethos with open, honest and transparent working relationships with clients. The team works closely with artists around the world to inform the creative process, drive innovation and develop lasting and meaningful design concepts. While architecture is largely about problem solving and practical solutions, PSA ensures each of its projects receives a unique signature mark built around artistic integrity. From a sustainability standpoint one of the most relevant aspects of this project involves the preservation and support of artisan skills, namely handmade ceramic craftsmanship. PSA places great importance on the preservation of human and cultural tradition, including trades which often have deep connections to people and place. Ceramics are one of the oldest materials used in society dating back to early civilisations. As a material it is extremely versatile, not only providing robust protection but also malleable for many uses, helping to create lasting, sustainable designs. PSA is hugely motivated by the prospect of reinventing or reinterpreting traditional practices and adapting them for the modern age. The extensive use of handmade ceramics in the Maida Smiles project provides a clear illustration of PSA’s passion for traditional artisan techniques, featuring in many of its projects. This approach also ensures original, bespoke and authentic design concepts which cannot simply be ordered from a catalogue – and further encourages fluid and creative solutions to meet the specific requirements of individual projects. The Maida Smiles project marks the latest of a long series of dental clinic and healthcare projects completed by PSA across Europe, Africa and Australasia. Founded in 2003 in Lisbon, Portugal, PSA later established offices in Brighton, UK and Maputo, Mozambique, and its boutique design team now includes 16 members from five countries.