The Wolfgarten group practice in Bonn's Bad-Godesberg district reimagines what modern medicine can be. Built on three core pillars—radiology, gynecology, and a dedicated patient training center that serves women with breast cancer—the practice embraces a holistic model spanning diagnostics, therapy, and mind-body medicine. This philosophy needed to permeate every aspect of the space. Interior designer Alice Matheis from Bad Honnef was tasked with transforming a historic Art Nouveau villa on Adenauerallee into a medical practice that boldly departs from conventional doctor's office conventions.

The vision was clear: create a sanctuary where both staff and patients feel at ease. The concept of "healing architecture" sits at the heart of the treatment experience, designed to dissolve anxiety and the power imbalances that often define doctor-patient interactions. Yet function couldn't be compromised—the space needed to meet rigorous medical standards without sacrificing an inviting atmosphere. The real challenge lay in integrating cutting-edge medical technology into a heritage building: Schumacher + Willeke Architects brilliantly installed a 5.5-tonne MRI and a 2.5-tonne CT scanner within the wooden beam ceilings, preserving the ornate stucco work through ingenious steel frameworks and basement foundations with integrated cooling systems. Matheis' design reserves the ground floor for a welcoming central reception, anchored beneath an imposing barrel vault. The back office flows seamlessly into an open workspace. The waiting area, flooded with natural light and separated by a transparent glass partition, breaks from tradition entirely—herringbone parquet floors and an arrangement of armchairs, side tables, and a high-back sofa create the relaxed ambiance of a café rather than a clinic. The rounded bay window became the perfect spot for a bench with built-in toy storage tucked beneath the seat. A second phase added a flexible seminar room in the lower level—ideal for patient education courses and conferences. A standout feature is the custom ceiling system: it doesn't just enable multiple lighting scenarios but also absorbs sound naturally. The adjoining kitchen draws personality from striking Chinoiserie wallpaper, while a small exhibition of historical photographs from the neighborhood's days as the capital creates natural conversation starters at the "meeting point."

www.innenarchitektur-matheis.de

Photography:

Sandra Then
www.then-fotografie.de

(Published in CUBE Cologne 03|23)