Starting a new medical practice can cost upwards of $100,000, and that's if you're renting a space rather than doing a new construction. If you have a vision for your medical office and you're ready to design a brand new space, it will be expensive, but it will also be incredibly worthwhile.

What's more gratifying than designing your own workplace? From building design to the interior layout, you have control. 

We're here to talk about some of the basics of building design so you can start planning. Read on to learn more. 

Start With a Concept

If you're lucky enough to be designing a building for your medical practice completely from scratch, you're going to want a sketchbook. You need to start with a solid concept. 

Sketch out a few basic ideas. It can be helpful to create an inspiration board on a site like Pinterest where you can gather images of other buildings from which you'd like to take elements. 

This is the stage in which you can get creative. Think of everything you'd like both on the outside and within the interior layout of your medical facility. You can work on refining it later.

If you can't sketch, use photos and notes to brainstorm. 

Understand Scale

Scale is one of the most important elements of design, and it matters a lot when you're designing a professional building like a medical facility. You don't have as much flexibility as you would with a home, bar, community building, or otherwise "fun" space. 

You only have so much space to work with and you have to fit all necessary items and furniture within that space. You need to consider how waiting rooms and procedure rooms will fit together, and how to create enough open space to make the facility comfortable. 

When you're working on initial sketches, it's helpful to give general measurements for everything from walls to furniture so you have an idea of what the space will look like when it's done. 

Focus on Alignment and Balance

Balance and alignment are two more important elements of design, and they go together. This doesn't necessarily mean symmetrical alignment (asymmetry can look great in modern builds), but you want a space to look aligned. 

Make sure tiles line up well, and that they line up with doors and windows. Corners should all line up perfectly as well. There should be no awkward and unbalanced spaces because they can make a room look awkward and uncomfortable. 

Don't Forget Practicality 

At the end of the day, you're creating a functional space. You should exercise some creativity and have fun with it, but you need to remember what the space is for. 

It should be a comfortable place for patients and staff members. There should be plenty of room to move around and space for all of the necessary tools and furniture. Function over form. 

Work With a Building Design Pro

If you're trying to design a space, why not work with a building design professional? Let them put their years of design school to good use.

If you're in need of a professional architect for your medical facility design project, Arminco can help. Contact us so we can start working together today.