The Eye Face Surgical Institute is located in a high-rise commercial building at one of Toronto’s prominent intersections. It is a combination of a clinic and surgical suite that serves Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology patients.
Delivering an impeccable circulation design, the surgical team required the clinic to revolve around patients facilities for diagnosis, minor procedures and eye/neck surgeries. As a result, the layout would had to work with the clinic’s booking system so that each patient felt comfortable throughout the entire experience of entering and leaving the clinic, and meeting with the doctor.
In order to meet hospital design requirements in Ontario, Canada, the building envelope, ceiling space and mechanical systems were modified by our architectural and engineering team to provide fresh air, pressure and ventilation to the surgical room and recovery room, while making the environment comfortable for the rest of the clinic.
The technical challenges of designing a hospital-grade surgical suite in a commercial high-rise were understood by visiting the surgeon’s existing clinic and carefully studying their practices. A series of interviews and mini workshops with the doctors and their staff were conducted about their practice needs and work habits. The studies led to developing spatial relationships based on the required flow and movement of staff and patients. Moreover, the final design fulfills the circulation, layout, lighting and interior finishes needs of patients who have a weaker vision and are sensitive to light and smell.
Each treatment room and surgical suite is tailor-designed to meet the ergonomics of each surgeon's practice style so that the patient is always at the focal point, where all tools and equipment are placed conveniently to the standing and sitting positions of the surgeons. The layout of the clinic also allows natural light into each treatment room. Servicing spaces that do not receive patients but support day- to-day operations of the clinic (such as staff room and sterilization room) are located adjacent to the treatment room in the middle of the Institute.