The Wolfgarten joint practice in Bonn's Bad-Godesberg district sees itself as a place where medicine is rethought. The practice is based on three pillars: radiology, gynecology and a training center for patients, where women suffering from breast cancer in particular are offered seminars. The holistic approach of the practice, which is broadly positioned between diagnostics, therapy and mind-body medicine, was also to be reflected in the choice of building location and the design of the interior spaces: Interior designer Alice Matheis from Bad Honnef developed a concept for an old Art Nouveau villa on Adenauerallee that deliberately breaks with traditional notions of a medical practice. 

The practice should offer a high feel-good factor for both staff and patients. The concept of "healing architecture" plays an important role as part of the treatment pathway. The aim was to avoid anxiety and asymmetrical relationships between doctor and patient through approachable and accessible architecture and furnishings. At the same time, the rooms also had to meet medical standards and be highly functional. Integrating the medical technology alone into the building proved to be a challenge: Schumacher + Willeke Architekten from Bonn succeeded in integrating an MRI weighing 5.5 tons and a 2.5-ton CT scanner on the wooden beam ceilings in such a way that the stucco-decorated rooms remained untouched. This was made possible by elaborate steel structures and foundations in the basement, including room cooling systems. Alice Matheis' practice concept provides for the central reception area on the first floor - spanned by the imposing barrel vault. The back office is seamlessly connected to this in an open space. The waiting area with plenty of natural light is separated by a transparent glass wall, also fitted with herringbone parquet flooring and dispenses with the usual row seating. With various armchairs, side tables and a protective high-back sofa, it has the informal feel of a café. The round bay window is also perfect for a bench, especially as toys for children can be stored in small roll containers under the seating area. In a further construction phase, a multifunctional seminar room was created in the separately accessed basement, which is available for courses and conferences. A special innovation here is the ceiling lighting, which can not only implement a wide variety of lighting concepts, but also has an acoustically absorbent effect. The adjoining kitchen draws its charm from the "Chinoiserie" wallpaper. A small exhibition of historical photographs from the surrounding former capital district provides a stimulus for conversation at a "meeting point".

www.innenarchitektur-matheis.de

Photos: 

Sandra Then
www.then-fotografie.de

(Published in CUBE Cologne 03|23)