The address alone speaks volumes: smile eyes :), a new eye care and laser treatment practice, occupies a prestigious building on Deutzer Freiheit—a 1914 landmark designed by renowned Cologne architect Wilhelm Riphahn. Within these former bank offices, the architectural firm atmosphäre has crafted clinical spaces that feel distinctly residential and welcoming, from the waiting areas through to the operating rooms.

The practice spans two levels. The generously proportioned ground floor, with its exceptional ceiling height, welcomes patients through a reception area and a spacious waiting room. Two characteristic arched windows flood the space with natural light and frame dynamic views of the vibrant shopping street beyond. Delicate glass partitions, vertical steles, an interior atrium, and skylights ensure that light reaches even the deepest recesses of the practice. Beyond the waiting area lies an open-plan pre-examination zone, visually expanded by a full-height illuminated wall showcasing a striking photograph of the adjacent Deutz harbour (photograph: Jens Wenzel). The basement level—fully accessible via staircase and lift—houses the laser treatment area and staff facilities. Patients undergoing laser procedures are greeted in a warm, intimate lounge where they can comfortably store their belongings. Here too, architectural photography from the neighbourhood reinforces the design narrative. Pre-surgical preparation occurs in a separate space within the sterile "clean zone," where the material and colour palette shifts accordingly. The warm herringbone oak flooring that characterizes the patient areas gives way to black furnishings accented with transparent glass elements. In the surgical suite itself, this strategy reverses: the floor recedes in cool grey and black tones, while warm ochre walls create an unexpectedly reassuring environment. This thoughtful interplay of materials and colour—maintained despite stringent hygiene standards—helps ease patient anxiety and foster a sense of calm.

www.atmo-architektur.de

Photography:
Manfred Daams
www.werbefotografie-koeln.de

(Published in CUBE Cologne 03|24)